Armstrong a name etched in time

摘要

A thousand years from now, it is doubtful whether the twentieth century will be remembered for more than two achievements - the unleashing of the power of the atom, and the first human footsteps on another world. No single name will be associated with the former, but the name of Neil Armstrong will be forever remembered for the latter. In November last year I had the honour and privilege of shaking the hand of the first man on the Moon, following the rare experience of hearing him speak at length on his life, his career and his walk into the history books. Neil Armstrong is often, very unfairly, labelled a recluse, and accused of biding away from the world on his farm in Ohio. The truth is quite different. A private man, yes, but Armstrong is no Howard Hughes. To my certain knowledge he has visited lreland three times and England at least twice in the last five years. While several of these visits were to address "captains of industry" on teamwork, motivation and business skills, his most recent visit to this small corner of planet Earth concentrated on his astronaut career.