Once again, July 20th comes and goes. I find it inconceivable and sadly familiar that America still fails to embrace the idea of a “Moon Day” holiday to honor, celebrate, and remember that “giant leap for mankind” offered by the small steps of Neil Armstrong in 1969. With Armstrong’s recent passing (as well as fellow female astronaut Sally Ride), the gap between the vaulting ambitions for our place in space and the demands of an embattled society yawns even wider than ever. What went wrong?
The Apollo program, to paraphrase the late Carl Sagan, conveyed a confidence in our technological muscle to overcome hazards and hardships and to conquer the economic enemies of America that threatened within and without. President Kennedy conveyed the conception with his fine oratory and soaring challenge, enlisting the American people in a unique collective effort electrifying young and old alike.
How can we recover our capacity for American greatness, both individually and collectively? What must we accomplish to restore our faith in the fire of the old visionary rhetoric of our greatest national voices? What linkage must we forge north and south, east and west to assure a more fruitful life for our County and our Country? Some say, to paraphrase President Kennedy, why the 50-mile hike (including the total 400 miles of training and preparatory effort), why choose that as my goal? And they may well say, why climb the highest mountain? Why 85 years ago fly the Atlantic? Why does Caribou play Presque Isle? We choose to go on the 50-mile hike, not because it is easy, but because it is hard. Because that goal will better serve to organize my ultimate physical energy and mental stamina.
And perhaps, when the final footsteps land in Limestone, at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, a truth may emerge from the effort to offer all of you for the benefit of our lives together in this critical and vulnerable time. I can only aspire to thoughts of a generation looking back upon us from the prosperous vantage point of a next generation saying, “Thank you, Sunny Acres” for giving your personal best. Will you join me in supporting that great historical dawning?
Larry Berz of Caribou is director of Easton’s Francis Malcolm Planetarium and astronomy instructor at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics. He intends to lead a small group of intrepid local legs along a 50-mile one day walking expedition from Houlton to Limestone/MSSM in recognition of the historic 1963 one-day effort of Robert “Bobby” Kennedy as well as a loving salute for the recent passing of his gentle friend from Chicago, John D. Weiss.
