"GODDARD, WE ARE HERE!"

We usually recall the important dates in our personal history and in the history of our country, such as:  November 22, 1963, June 21, 1964,  April 4, 1968, June 5, 1968, May 4, 1970, January 28, 1986, April 19, 1995, August 29, 2005, and September 11, 2001.  We all recall the dates--and where we were--when tragedy struck our country, but I also like to think of happy memories such as the elections of 1960, 1964, 1996, and 2008.

Today, July 20, is the anniversary of the moon landing in 1969.

I fondly recall that I was sitting in the stairway of my parents home with my then boyfriend (and future husband), transfixed by Walter Cronkite's coverage.

We'd had a contest of what would be the first words the astronaut would utter and there was a mixture of amusing and serious statements offered, but none were as good as Gerald's contribution of "Goddard, we are here!" which was his homage to Robert Goddard and General John .J. Pershing.

Neil Armstrong stated that he actually said "That's one small step for a man.....", which changes the meaning of the quote.