Neil Armstrong, R.I.P.

Neil Armstrong died yesterday.  To me, it is a tragedy.  The first man to walk somewhere other than Earth is gone.

There were lots of predictions about making it to the moon going back through history.  None of them managed to predict that it would be broadcast live and in color.  I remember watching it on a 13" color TV and I remember having tacos for dinner that night.  It's funny how some of the trivial details stay with us.

In 1969 being an astronaut was a dream.  Being a rocket scientist was cool.  We managed to land an even dozen men on the moon over the course of several years.  Today, we couldn't repeat that feat, despite the tremendous advances in technology.  We have lost the will to greatness.

I miss that America, even with all its flaws we still dared to reach for the stars.