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"Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace.
These brave men, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, know that there is no hope for their recovery. But they also know that there is hope for mankind in their sacrifice.
These two men are laying down their lives in mankind's most noble goal: the search for truth and understanding.
They will be mourned by their families and friends; they will be mourned by their nation; they will be mourned by the people of the world; they will be mourned by a Mother Earth that dared send two of her sons into the unknown.
In their exploration, they stirred the people of the world to feel as one; in their sacrifice, they bind more tightly the brotherhood of man.
In ancient days, men looked at stars and saw their heroes in the constellations. In modern times, we do much the same, but our heroes are epic men of flesh and blood.
Others will follow, and surely find their way home. Man's search will not be denied. But these men were the first, and they will remain the foremost in our hearts.
For every human being who looks up at the moon in the nights to come will know that there is some corner of another world that is forever mankind.
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As I read this speech, I cannot help but wonder how this world would be different had those brave astronauts not returned from their voyage. It would not be considered a failure, I am certain. Rather, I believe it would have been considered another stone in the road toward the future...and as such, the American spirit of exploration would have continued on, undaunted. When I read this speech, I find myself rereading two sections: the first, about the search for truth and understanding, the second, about the unifying ability of their sacrifice, because sacrifice it is, regardless of the outcome.
The search for truth and understanding has gone on for centuries, and those searching, often did so despite disapproval from those in power, and despite the danger to themselves. We would have done the same had the Apollo 11 astronauts never returned. The proof? In 1986, the space shuttle Challenger disintegrated in a sudden and massive explosion shortly after take-off. The nation mourned the loss of the brave men and women on board. President Reagan, using his skills as an orator, helped the country through their grief with the following words: "We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to ' touch the face of God." Yet, he also illustrated the American spirit of exploration when he said, "We'll continue our quest in space. There will be more shuttle flights and more shuttle crews and, yes, more volunteers, more civilians, more teachers in space. Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue." And we did continue...albeit after an extended break. And we continued despite much public outcry over the dangers of space travel. As Reagan said: "Man's search will not be denied." More recently, we have suffered through the tragedy of the space shuttle Columbia, as it broke apart during re-entry, killing all aboard. Again, we mourned, and after some time, we continued our search for truth and understanding.
The second part of the "Forever Mankind" speech I like talks about how these brave men brought about a sense of brotherhood to the people of the world. The speech maintains that their exploration, and ultimate sacrifice, "stirred the people of the world to feel as one." The interesting thing is that their success, not their failure, is what brought the world together, if only for a moment.
After reading this section, my mind wandering, I paused...because I could not help but wonder why the world can always find the exuberance to celebrate together during times of extreme triumph (the moon landing, the first trans-ocean flight, etc.) or the strength to mourn together and help those in need during times of extreme tragedy (earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, etc.), yet we seem never to be able to unite for a common cause during ordinary times. The closest I could think of is the U.S.A. for Africa project, which, with the release of "We Are the World," was able to raise millions of dollars to help feed the hungry in Africa. When released, it was played on thousands of radio stations worldwide at the same time. Yet, even this event, though unique and wonderful, only came to fruition after the world saw footage of the terrible conditions the people of Ethiopia had to endure.
So, my point is this: why can't we come together to help each other everyday? Why must we be prompted by some national tragedy or worldwide event? In the time that I have been injured, I have been treated with the utmost kindness by practically everyone I have come across; it means the world to me, but what about when I'm not injured? Why can't the people of the world find it in themselves to follow the Golden Rule all the time? Do we really need some massive worldwide event to cause us "to come together as one"?
Why can't we make this world "forever mankind," a place where the world comes together to help each other because it's the right thing to do, not because we're in dire straights, lacking any other options?
It seems so simple. We sacrifice a little for the greater good, and ultimately, the world is a better place. Right?
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Now playing: Mannheim Steamroller - Fanfare For The Common Man
via FoxyTunes
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Now playing: U.S.A. for Africa - We Are the World
via FoxyTunes
It seems we often spend our lives in a some kind of selfish state, unable to give of ourselves to others except in times of need. Perhaps it is the way we are raised. Maybe some fear being too bothersome. Others blame the lack of time they have. A few just don't care.
ReplyDeleteWhatever the reason, I think you have been given a rare opportunity. You have opened your eyes and seen both sides. Will you do anything about it? Once the cast/boot comes off, will you change your life and become the example to us? Will you put all others before yourself?
There is one thing I can without a doubt tell you that I have learned from this life. That is the importance of relationships. Family relationships, spousal relationships, parent-child relationships, friendship relationships, your relationship with Christ, etc. Whichever relationship you choose, I guarantee you will find that when you lay it all down, it is those relationships that you will prize greater than anything else on earth. So why is it then that we do not treat them with greater care? Have we become that disconnected? Do we not see their value? I know my excuse. What's yours?
A friend once told me that I gave too much of myself to others, said that at a point I was just letting others walk all over me. I won't lie, it is true; You can find that when you give a lot of yourself, while at first others appreciate it, soon they just take it for granted, use it, exploit it, name your offense. Maybe I just expected too much in return when I should have expected no less. Regardless, the older I get, the more it saddens me and the more cynical I become. As a result, I give up easily and give less now. Is it right? Probably not. But it's not easy to stand alone. It's a rarity to find another giver.
I think the real question is how much of yourself do you give? Do you become relentless about it, even if it is the death of you? Do you pick only those people and things that show they care, too? Or do you draw lines and set limits?
If to give, you must care. And to care, you must love. Then, how do you love unconditionally in a conditional world?