2000 posts and 40 years ago...

[cjj]

I wanted to do something momentous for my 2000th post other than the usual thanks to Peter, Gil, and all the moderators for providing this great "place" where we can all meet and share our common interests. Not that the usual thanks is not well deserved by any means, thanks people! But, I couldn't really think of anything on the topic of Rickenbackers so this will have to do.

Anyway, I was kind of hoping this post would come in a few more days, July 20, 2009, but as it turned out, I was in just too big a hurry I guess, and there's no way I can last 3 more days without making another post...

Anyway, 40 years ago, those of us who were around and were old enough to remember were all glued to our televisions and radios for the latest news. 40 years ago yesterday, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin blasted off atop Apollo 11, headed for the moon! My dad worked for North American Rockwell at the time, working on the Apollo Capsules, so if there was anything going on with space missions, we were almost forced to watch it (not that it was hard to get us to want to). This was even more exciting because, as our dad told us, in just 3 days, men were going to land on the moon! Even more than that, my grandfather, who was a professor at Purdue University, actually knew Neil Armstrong when Neil was one of his students. They kept in touch until my grandfather passed away. I never got to meet Neil Armstrong, but I did talk to him on the phone one time at my grandfather's house.

Wow, hard to believe that was 40 years ago! It really doesn't seem like it was so long ago, the memories are still so clear. I have to admit, I haven't really thought about the moon missions in quite a while. I suppose the 40th anniversary on the first manned moon landing is a momentous occasion. I wish I could call my dad and get his impressions of the event as he remembered it, but sadly, he passed away last August.

Here's to Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins three brave men who were the first to accomplish something seemingly impossible. And here's to my dad and my grandfather, who as part of it all and helped me to have an interest in science and technology. And finally, here's to the RRF and those who created it and support it, for giving us this great place to get together and discuss the things we love the most, Rickenbackers, music, and all other aspects of life in general!!!

[doctorwho]

Congrats, CJ, at the rate you're going, you'll pass my total in only a couple of years!

[johnallg]

Congrats indeed CJ! Always an interesting and informative post.

Here's to Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins three brave men who were the first to accomplish something seemingly impossible.

I've often thought about the cajones these guys and their cohorts had. Imagine standing on the moon and realizing everything that had to go right for you to get back safe. Daunting. It took MEN with true grit.

[windchimp]

Congrats CJ...I see I have a ways to go.

I remember exactly where I was for the launch - at my best friend's house for his sister's birthday party. His father came outside and said "come watch the rocket launch" - we thought his older brother was blasting off another model rocket in the street! Three days later I was huddled around the TV with mom and dad watching history being made.

Later in life as I grew into my engineering "sentence" I gained a true appreciation for the guts these guys had - truly incredible in hindsight that the technology of the 60's could accomplish that.

[gregga41]

Congrats Cjj, a really well written and meaningful post.
It's amazing how 40 years have flown by so fast. Let's all be here in another 40.

[kiramdear]

Great read, CJ! I was there, too. Maybe things didn't turn out quite like we thought they would back then, but all in all, it's been a heckuva a ride anyway, no?

Keep 'em coming, my friend, it's always a pleasure hearing from you.

[johnallg]

Congrats Cjj, a really well written and meaningful post.
It's amazing how 40 years have flown by so fast. Let's all be here in another 40.

I hear ya, Greg! Let's!

[beatlefreak]

Congratulations, CJ!

[cjj]

Here's a picture of Aldrin next to the lunar lander. Amazing that a flimsy thing like that actually worked.

And a short description of what it was like:
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009 ... eawake.htm

[whojamfan]

Great information, and congrats on the 2000th post. I was around when the landing happened, but was too young to remember it. That really must have been the thrill of a lifetime for those guys, and a real test of courage. Good thing the rocket wasn't built by Ford, or else the "check engine" light would have come on halfway through the mission

[collin]

Good thing the rocket wasn't built by Ford, or else the "check engine" light would have come on halfway through the mission

Yeah, but you know it wasn't made by GM because it actually got there, period.

[rickenbrother]

Congrats, CJ!

[jps]

Congrats, CJ!

+1

[ram]

Congrats CJ - great milestone...!!

that landing sites have been seen and photographed by the LRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter):

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31966131/ns ... nce-space/

kinda cool! I was glued to the TeeVee for the 'moon walks'

[longboard_ric]

Congrats CJ on 2000 and an interesting and informative post.

I can remember the day, like it was yesterday: time has passed by quickly.

And the progress of technology: the Apollo 11 mission had nowhere near the computing power we have sitting in front of us right now.

And for those who are interested there is a film called The Dish, about Australia's part in transmitting those famous scenes to the world. Certainly worth viewing.