The beginning of something

When I watched Neil Armstrong walk on the moon that long-ago summer after third grade, I thought I was seeing the beginning of something [“Astronaut left first footprints on moon,” page one, Aug. 26].

I assumed we would soon have a permanent moon base and travel to Mars, the other planets and eventually, the stars. I never would have dreamed we’d let him grow old and die before he could even see us take the next step. What a shameful waste of nearly half a century.

— André Duval, Seattle

A modest celebrity

It is refreshing and inspirational to read of a genuine American hero — Neil Armstrong — who, in contrast to so many would-be “celebrities” in today’s society, disdained interviews and was so modestly self-effacing about his achievements.

At Purdue University, they have named a beautiful new aeronautical engineering building after this honored graduate.

— Ray E. Dumett, Seattle