Forty Years Ago

I will occasionally forget an item when I go to the grocery store. I often forget where I set my glasses. And I can never remember where where I put the remote. But, I do remember what I was doing forty years ago today.

I mentioned several days ago that during the late 60′s I would spend a week each summer at Camp Sandy Hill in North East, Maryland. I was there in late July the summer of 1969; making crafts, horseback riding, swimming, and eating in the mess hall. In the evening we would have a program in The Lodge with singing and skits and a devotional. Then it was back to the cabins and lights out. For a week we would have a great time without computers, video games, or even TV.

Forty years ago tonight they made an exception.

Some time after we had gone back to our cabins we were all brought back to The Lodge. There was a black and white television with rabbit ears sitting up front. We were served popcorn and “bug juice” while we watched history. Along with all the other campers and staff I watched Neil Armstrong descend the ladder of the Lunar Module and take “one small step.”

I’m sure that my memories of that moment are influenced by the dozens of times I’ve seen that footage over the years, but the rest of what I remember about that night only replays in my own mind. I can recall the position of the TV and where I was sitting (about a third of the way back, on the right).

Like many of my generation, I grew up with the space program. Every blast off to every splash down was followed.

I don’t have any great point to make, certainly no political one. I’m not writing this to make a case for continued space exploration, or to discuss the technology we gained as we explored space. In fact the only reason to write this is to remember a time that was powerfully memorable and unforgettably pleasant. That’s a legacy you may not hear much about in other coverage today. I’ve enjoyed the look back. If you’re old enough to remember, I hope that you have good memories too.

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