Although the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of the moon landing of Apollo 11 on July 20, the mission was not truly over until July 24 when it returned to Earth. Like ascending Everest, you had to get back down to truly make history. So today deserves at least a footnote in the history books.
Getting back safely was no small task, as we learned from Apollo 13, remember “Houston, we have a problem”? Indeed, Apollo 11’s splashdown was initially upside down. William Safire had drafted a statement for Richard Nixon to read if the return were unsuccessful, and I know we all are grateful never to have had to hear it. Instead and during the worst of the Vietnam War, he claimed the world had never drawn closer. Best to leave that without comment.
Over time, we have stopped using the phrase, “If they can send a man to the moon…”. I suspect that is not because the thought was worn but because we aren’t so sure we could again. There have, however, been recent references to the idea of a “moon shot” for things like climate change, which is something truly worth considering although it seems to be growing rather late for that.
In noting today’s significance, I certainly don’t mean to diminish the magic of July 20th, 1969. It was one of those days I can say exactly where I was at the time, and I marvel at the moment still. In thinking about that day and time, I wrote this short poem that reflects some of my own thoughts.
July 20, 1969
After John Gillespie Magee, Jr.
I was schooled to cower
under the shelter of
my wooden school desk
to hide from fallout
raining from the sky
in blasts brighter
than the noonday sun
raising umbrella clouds
to announce the end of days
But for one July evening
I lay under a clear night sky
in a field damp with cleansing dew
while man walked far above
on a waxing crescent promise
that we might someday
rise high enough to look down
upon our own self-destruction
and perhaps once more
to touch the heart of God
