FLY ME TO THE MOON ,MISTER ARMSTRONG!
NEIL ARMSTRONG , 82, passed away Saturday after surgery
earlier this month for blocked arteries.
A fighter pilot in the Korean War, a test pilot and an engineering
professor, he will also be remembered as the astronaut
who fulfilled the goal that President John F. Kennedy set out —
to put a man on the moon by end of the 1960's —
and the first among equals in the pantheon of astronauts
from the moon race.
"Neil was among the greatest of American heroes —
not just of his time, but of all time," President Obama said
in a statement.
"When he and his fellow crew members lifted off
aboard Apollo 11 in 1969, they carried with them the aspirations
of an entire nation."
Armstrong's family also released a statement that read :
"[he was a] reluctant American hero [and had] served his
nation proudly, as a navy fighter pilot, test pilot, and astronaut.
While we mourn the loss of a very good man,
we also celebrate his remarkable life and hope that it serves
as an example to young people around the world to work hard
to make their dreams come true, to be willing to explore
and push the limits, and to selflessly serve a cause
greater than themselves."
Armstrong became the symbol of the dream not just of one country
but of a whole world to reach beyond our own planet .
1969 : Man takes first steps on the Moon
American Neil Armstrong has become the first man to walk on the Moon.
The astronaut stepped onto the Moon's surface at 0256 GMT,
nearly 20 minutes after first opening the hatch on the
Eagle landing craft.
Armstrong had earlier reported the lunar module's safe landing
at 2017 GMT with the words: "Houston, Tranquility Base here.
The Eagle has landed."
As he put his left foot down first Armstrong declared:
"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
'We came in peace'
The historic moments were captured on television cameras
installed on the Eagle and turned on by Armstrong.
Armstrong spent his first few minutes on the Moon taking
photographs and soil samples in case the mission had to be
aborted suddenly.
He was joined by colleague Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin at 0315 GMT
and the two collected data and performed various exercises -
including jumping across the landscape -
before planting the Stars and Stripes flag at 0341 GMT.
They also unveiled a plaque bearing President Nixon's signature
and an inscription reading:
"Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon
July 1969 AD. We came in peace for all mankind." 
After filming their experience with a portable television camera
the astronauts received a message from the US President.
President Nixon, in the White House, spoke of the pride of
the American people and said:
"This certainly has to be the most historic telephone call ever made."
Goodnight sweet prince !
