In 1961, President John F. Kennedy established a national objective for NASA to accomplish a crewed lunar landing and facilitate a safe return to Earth. Apollo 11 was launched from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969. The crew comprised Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins, and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin. On July 20, 1969, an estimated 650 million individuals observed Neil Armstrong’s televised presence and heard his historic words, which articulated the moment as “one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Pike County will have two representatives at the Wednesday launching of Apollo 11.  The two will have reserved seats at site 29.

Bob Tolbert and Joe Gilchrist have both made plans to attend the launch.  Tolbert explained that the plans had been discussed for several weeks but that the possibility of obtaining seats did not come to light until Monday.

Tolbert began his search for a pass with a call to Ft. Rucker.  He was referred to Patrick AFB in Florida and asked for the public relations department.  From here, I was referred to NASA and began explaining who he was and his plans to attend.

“Imagine my surprise when they told me I didn’t want public relations but the news media division,” Tolbert laughed.  “When I called them and explained the situation, they said, ‘Come on down, and we’ll take care of you.”  They asked that I send a telegram to confirm our reservations.

“I have never seen anyone as nice as the people who helped us set up the whole trip.  We never dreamed we would be able to get reserved seats.”

The Pike Countians will arrive at the Cape late this afternoon and will be shuttled to the press site by bus.

Plans are being made to be at the site when the astronauts load up.  “We don’t want to miss any part of the preparation or follow-up,” Gilchrist said.

Tolbert is vice president of the Troy Chamber of Commerce,  He and Gilchrist plan to keep notes on the developments in order to give a full account upon their return to Troy.