Saving a piece of human history

Everyone knows that with the economy weakened state governments are struggling to make do with reduced revenue.

Just the same, it came as a surprise to learn that cutbacks may force the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta to close.

That's right, we're talking about a museum in honor of the first human being to set foot on the surface of the moon.

We're talking about a museum that honors a guy who has never exploited his fame to make a buck, a man who lives in dignified privacy in an age when both dignity and privacy are in short supply.

Forty years ago this July, Neil Armstrong made human history. Not U.S. history. Not world history. Human history.

And that deserves all the recognition it can get.

The museum at Wapakoneta, which opened in 1972, is home to Apollo 11 artifacts, a Gemini spacecraft, items from Armstrong's childhood, and a rock from the moon.

If you've never made the trip, it's worth the effort; and it's a great place to take kids.

Now, because Ohio is looking to cut funding for the Armstrong museum and 16 other state historic sites, there's a chance it could close - at least temporarily.

The good news is that Wapakoneta officials and civic leaders are stepping up to the plate and will be working on an agreement that will keep the museum open, relying on volunteers.

With luck, an agreement with the state will be hammered out by June, guaranteeing that when July 20 rolls around and the spotlight again focuses on the modest, quiet guy from Ohio who took that "giant leap" his hometown museum will be alive and well. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]