Topic: Neil Armstrong memorial services and tributes
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-10-2012 12:19 PM
NASA release
Neil Armstrong Memorial Service Details Announced
Astronauts Cernan and Collins, singer Diana Krall, other dignitaries scheduled to celebrate life of late astronaut
Washington National Cathedral announced today that astronauts Michael Collins, the Apollo 11 command module pilot, and Eugene A. Cernan, the Apollo 17 mission commander and last man to walk on the moon, are scheduled to participate in the national memorial service for Neil Armstrong at the Cathedral on Thursday, September 13, at 10 am.
Cernan will join NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, Jr., and former Secretary of the Treasury John W. Snow in offering tributes. Collins will lead prayers.
The popular jazz singer-songwriter Diana Krall is scheduled to sing. Other musicians will include the U.S. Navy Band "Sea Chanters," the Cathedral Choir, and the Metropolitan Opera Brass.
The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of Washington, will offer the homily in honoring the life of the first man to walk on the moon, who died August 25.
The service is by invitation, and all seats have been allocated at this time. The service will be broadcast live on NASA Television and streamed online at nasa.gov and nationalcathedral.org.
posted 09-11-2012 09:49 AM
Has the burial at sea now taken place? I assume it was a cremation and it will be or was the scattering of ashes?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-11-2012 09:58 AM
The date and details of Armstrong's burial at sea have not been released, but from what I understand, it has not yet occurred. The U.S. Navy performs both cremains and full body burial ceremonies.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-12-2012 10:45 PM
NASA has now confirmed that Armstrong will be buried at sea on Friday (Sept. 14). No other details were released.
The program for the public memorial service at National Cathedral is now available (PDF) online.
spaceman1953 Member
Posts: 953 From: South Bend, IN Registered: Apr 2002
posted 09-12-2012 10:51 PM
Wow, having that service program as a PDF is way too cool. Bet it will save someone a ton of correspondence from people seeking a copy.
bwhite1976 Member
Posts: 281 From: Belleville, IL Registered: Jun 2011
posted 09-13-2012 08:06 AM
When Diana Krall starts singing "Fly me to the moon," that is when the waterworks will start I imagine. I teared up just thinking about it. What a beautiful song to have performed.
ilbasso Member
Posts: 1522 From: Greensboro, NC USA Registered: Feb 2006
posted 09-13-2012 08:54 AM
Tribute to Neil Armstrong by Mike Collins in today's Washington Post.
hlbjr Member
Posts: 475 From: Delray Beach Florida USA Registered: Mar 2006
posted 09-13-2012 09:46 AM
I saw our own collectSPACE member Larry McGlynn in the audience and notice Dave Scott with his wife along with other astronauts.
Chariot412 Member
Posts: 156 From: Lockport, NY, 14094 Registered: Jun 2011
posted 09-13-2012 10:06 AM
Gene Cernan's tribute followed by Diana Krall was fitting and touching.
Apollo14LMP Member
Posts: 291 From: UK Registered: Nov 2007
posted 09-13-2012 10:31 AM
I'm glad NASA TV posted the service to the Internet. A fitting tribute to Neil. I enjoyed Gene Cernan's tribute - a nice well ordered service.
The UK Sky News carrying details of it in their coverage.
Rick Mulheirn Member
Posts: 4167 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
posted 09-13-2012 11:52 AM
A fitting and moving service, particularly for Gene Cernan and Mike Collins.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
The life of Neil Armstrong, the engineer, the pilot, the astronaut, the first man to walk on the moon, the family member and friend was celebrated Thursday (Sept. 13) during a public memorial service at Washington National Cathedral.
"How does one adequately express his feelings about a special friend when that friend is also a world icon, a national hero of unimaginable proportion and a legend whose name will live in history long after all here today have been forgotten?" posed Eugene Cernan in his tribute to Neil Armstrong, who he followed to the moon as the 12th and last American astronaut to stand on the lunar surface.
Paul78zephyr Member
Posts: 675 From: Hudson, MA Registered: Jul 2005
posted 09-13-2012 04:15 PM
quote:Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn: I may be wrong, but I suspect the grey haired lady stood between Neil's sons in the memorial congregation photo is Janet.
Click on the above picture where the Navy Ceremonial Guard from Washington, DC is presenting the Colors you can see her between standing between her sons (look between the flags).
spaceman1953 Member
Posts: 953 From: South Bend, IN Registered: Apr 2002
posted 09-13-2012 08:33 PM
I don't know about that photo but it seems to me that is Jan Armstrong on the third row aisle seat behind her one son, right?
When I first got to meet and greet Neil with Jan at the airport and the two boys in his plane in South Bend after his appearance at the 1971 Notre Dame Commencement, it seems clearly that is her in the third row aisle seat.
Is the full service video online somewhere? I could not bring myself to watch it live, hope I did not make a horrible mistake!
spaceman1953 Member
Posts: 953 From: South Bend, IN Registered: Apr 2002
posted 09-13-2012 08:40 PM
C-SPAN has it on their website, which doesn't surprise me since Brian Lamb is a Purdue Alum too.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-13-2012 10:38 PM
Here is the service in its entirety:
posted 09-14-2012 01:05 PM
G_d speed Neil Armstrong.
Photo taken after his Gemini flight.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-14-2012 02:46 PM
NASA photo release (Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Members of the US Navy ceremonial guard hold an American flag over the cremains of Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong during a burial at sea service aboard the USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, in the Atlantic Ocean.
US Navy Lieutenant Commander Paul Nagy, USS Philippine Sea, and Carol Armstrong, wife of Neil Armstrong, commit the cremains of Neil Armstrong to sea during a burial at sea service held onboard the USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, in the Atlantic Ocean.
US Navy personnel carry the cremains of Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong during a burial at sea service aboard the USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, in the Atlantic Ocean.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-14-2012 03:02 PM
NASA photo release (Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Carol Armstrong, wife of Neil Armstrong, Eric "Rick" Armstrong, son of Neil Armstrong, and other family members are seen bowing their heads during the Armstrong burial at sea service aboard the USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, in the Atlantic Ocean.
US Navy Captain Steve Shinego, commanding officer of the USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), presents the US flag to Carol Armstrong following the burial at sea service for her husband Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong, Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, aboard the USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) in the Atlantic Ocean.
Family members of the late Neil Armstrong and members of the US Navy are seen during the burial at sea service for Neil Armstrong aboard the USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), Friday, Sept. 12, 2012, in the Atlantic Ocean.
Rusty B Member
Posts: 239 From: Sacramento, CA Registered: Oct 2004
posted 09-15-2012 03:14 PM
It's sad to see a hero pass on. But remember, he had three of some of the most dangerous jobs there are, fighter pilot, test pilot and astronaut. Yet he died in bed, an old man, with his family surrounding him. Rest in Peace.
DSeuss5490 Member
Posts: 299 From: Columbus, Ohio USA Registered: Jan 2003
posted 09-15-2012 05:18 PM
Just got home from the Ohio State-California/Berkley football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. They had a wonderful space-themed halftime show with a nice tribute to Neil Armstrong which included an emotional appearance by John and Annie Glenn at center field.
On the big screen you could see Senator Glenn wiping away tears and saying WOW. He was visibly emotional. I am not sure if his reaction was in response to the passing of his good friend or the standing ovation he and Mrs. Glenn received from the crowd of 105,000; probably a combination of both.
Either way it was a thrilling moment and something I will never forget.
spaceman1953 Member
Posts: 953 From: South Bend, IN Registered: Apr 2002
posted 09-15-2012 07:13 PM
We are lucky that the family and the Navy were willing to provide us with the photographs. Thanks, Robert, for including them here.
Jay Chladek Member
Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
posted 09-17-2012 04:37 AM
"We are all star stuff" is what Carl Sagan once said. In the Christian faiths, the line "we come from dust and to dust we shall return" is present in scripture. As Ed Mitchell once said so eloquently in "In the Shadow of the Moon" the molecules in our bodies were prototyped in stars many billions of years ago when the universe was young and they formed to create matter, the planets and ultimately us.
The physical body that was once Neil Armstrong has now returned to dust or star stuff as it were. His spirit has also moved onto its next journey as well. But long after humanity as we know it has gone from the universe, let us hope if there is other intelligence out there in the universe that the name "Neil Armstrong" is not forgotten as long as an account of human history perhaps exists.
But at the same time, let us all take our own little piece of Neil Armstrong and try to use it for the good of things. Neil was a dreamer, a modest person, a polite one and yet he also spoke his mind and fought for what he believed in without trying to necessarily profit from it. The qualities found in him are some of the best things that humanity had to offer. He taught his lessons by example. If we can take those lessons and use even a small percentage of them to improve our own lives and the lives of those around us, we as a people can do many more great things!
onesmallstep Member
Posts: 1310 From: Staten Island, New York USA Registered: Nov 2007
posted 09-17-2012 08:48 AM
Well said, Jay, and hopefully we do the same with our loved ones and dear friends we have known.
olddennis Member
Posts: 20 From: Herndon, VA USA Registered: Feb 2007
posted 09-17-2012 12:51 PM
Members of the US Navy ceremonial guard hold an American flag over the cremains of Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong during a burial at sea service aboard the USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, in the Atlantic Ocean.
Only someone who collects salt specimens from around the world would notice but I am fairly certain that the rose colored urn that Carol Armstrong is holding is made of Himalayan pink rock salt that is mined in Pakistan. It has become popular for making salt lamps and saltware for cooking. The heavy salt urn will eventually dissolve and his ashes dispersed throughout the sea.
model maker Member
Posts: 130 From: NEVADA , USA Registered: May 2012
posted 09-18-2012 11:23 PM
Rest In peace Neil Armstrong, your life was a complete SUCCESS!
We have three of those salt lamps, they say as they get warm from the light bulb inside, it gives off cleansing, purifying benefits.
A Navy sea burial, what a great way to be laid to rest for a very humble man who by all rights "could" have exploited his accomplishment of being the first human being to set foot on another world, but chose not to. Neil Armstrong is a very hard act to follow. I really hope history remembers Mr. Armstrong in this very way.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3120 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 09-19-2012 07:01 PM
I was deeply moved by Gene Cernan's eulogy at the memorial service for Neil Armstrong. Cernan has never spoken more eloquently. He set exactly the right tone and honoured his old friend and colleague with a perfect blend of emotion, humour and respect. Thank you, Captain Cernan, for the perfect goodbye.
chappy Member
Posts: 231 From: Cardiff, S. Wales, UK Registered: Apr 2006
posted 09-20-2012 03:14 PM
When I look at the photo by zooming the picture closer, there are four people saluting at Neil's service: it's Buzz Aldrin and Joe Engle(?) and who the other two are? Is this correct John Young were at the background?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-20-2012 06:17 PM
The four saluting, from left to right, are: Joe Engle, Jim McDivitt, Bill Anders and Buzz Aldrin.
John Young did not attend the ceremony.
chappy Member
Posts: 231 From: Cardiff, S. Wales, UK Registered: Apr 2006
posted 09-22-2012 01:59 AM
Many thanks Robert for your replying back to my question regarding who saluting at Neil's memorial service, cheers.
Paul78zephyr Member
Posts: 675 From: Hudson, MA Registered: Jul 2005
posted 09-24-2012 10:08 AM
In front of Joe Engle appears to be Al Bean and to Mr. Bean's right (left in the picture) appear to be Dick Gordon and Tom Stafford. Is this correct? Also is that Charlie Duke somewhat behind Jim Lovell and Mike Collins?
NavySpaceFan Member
Posts: 655 From: Norfolk, VA Registered: May 2007
posted 10-02-2012 01:38 PM
I just met the Chaplain who presided over Neil's Burial at Sea at, of all places, the barber shop. He said that the ceremony went very smooth, and the crew of the PHILLIPINE SEA did a great job in preparing, and in keeping it quiet.
Henry Heatherbank Member
Posts: 244 From: Adelaide, South Australia Registered: Apr 2005
posted 10-02-2012 04:12 PM
quote:Originally posted by Paul78zephyr: In front of Joe Engle appears to be Al Bean and to Mr. Bean's right (left in the picture) appear to be Dick Gordon and Tom Stafford.
Jack Schmitt (partially obscured, glasses), behind the lady behind Buzz Aldrin?
mark plas Member
Posts: 385 From: the Netherlands Registered: Aug 2000
posted 10-02-2012 04:53 PM
Yes that is Schmitt no doubt. Mattingly behind Engle?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-02-2012 04:58 PM
No, that is not Mattingly. Mattingly attended the service at National Cathedral.
posted 09-10-2012 12:19 PM
advertisement