Cedar Rapids moon landing memories

A trip down memory lane kicked in with this 50th anniversary of the moon landing.

I was a pool rat at Bever Park in my youth. When I was 8 years old, I vividly remember the pool being cleared with an announcement over the pool address system that we had landed on the moon. Not sure who made the announcement happen (a parks commissioner, pool manager, mayor?) But hats off to whomever it was. It was a memorable moment.

My father's (Richard) entire work life was on the job at Collins Radio. He was very proud of his company and its connection to NASA. My folks and large family watched all of the Apollo space missions. That day - Apollo 11 - Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins - incredible. Kudos to Walter Cronkite, too.

I remember taking a joyous bike ride down Blake Boulevard from Bever Park late that afternoon.

Small world, Arthur Collins' wife Mary was a class chum of my mother's (JoAnn) at Immaculate Conception. Mary's mother, Margaret Meis, lived across the street from our home on Blake Boulevard. We all touch history. God bless America.

Thomas Marshall

Cedar Rapids