New Yorkers Reflect On The Life And Achievements Of Neil Armstrong
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Neil Armstrong was a soft-spoken engineer who became a global hero when as a steely-nerved pilot he made ``one giant leap for mankind'' with a small step onto the moon. The modest man, who had people on Earth entranced and awed from almost a quarter-million miles away, but credited others for the feat, died Saturday. He was 82.
Armstrong died following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures, his family said in a statement. Armstrong had, had a bypass operation this month, according to NASA. His family didn't say where he died; he had lived in suburban Cincinnati.
Armstrong commanded the Apollo 11 spacecraft that landed on the moon July 20, 1969, capping the most daring of the 20th century's scientific expeditions. His first words after becoming the first person to set foot on the surface are etched in history books and the memories of those who heard them in a live broadcast.
``That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,'' Armstrong said.
1010 WINS reporter Gary Baumgarten spoke with New Yorkers...
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New Yorker's told 1010 WINS reporter Gary Baumgarten that while they would mourn his loss, they were particularly grateful for his life.
"You can pretty much not do anything for the rest of your life if you've walked on the moon," said Lacey.
While Armstrong was a very private man, he was also very outspoken about the ending of the manned space program.
"It's very understandable that these people who got to do some of the things that are the apex of human achievement are upset," explained Mark Roberts, a space shuttle tour guide at the intrepid.
Armstrong's family asked that people everywhere remember him following his example of service and achievement.
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