HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) - The passing of Neil Armstrong had many reminiscing about a true American idol this weekend.
Armstrong took his "giant leap for mankind" on July 20, 1969. Now, 43 years later, many who watched the first moon walk can remember that exact moment.
"You were glued to the TV," said Ruth Kitas. "You didn't move."
"Honestly, I was worried about some kind of error some kind of mistake," said 73-year-old Jack Daniels. "Because there was so much that could go wrong."
"I can remember them saying, 'the eagle has landed' and it was a moment my parents just cheered out loud," said Horry County resident Jeff Lafon.
Though in Boston at the time, Kitas said Armstrong's feat that occurred thousands of miles away still moves her.
"It gives me goosebumps," she said.
"I can't remember for the first month or so of anybody talking about anything other than Apollo 11 and Neil Armstrong himself," said Lafon.
But those out of this world memories were brought back to Earth with the news of the 82-year-old's passing.
"Hot dogs, apple pie and the American way," said Daniels when asked to describe Armstrong.
Lafon added, "He was Superman, he was Batman, he was Spiderman all rolled into one. He was the best American hero we could ever hope to have."
The group said losing their hero meant losing a small part of themselves.
"It's nostalgic, sad," said Daniels.
"He was a great man and now he's not with us anymore," added Kitas. "He was a good man."
"He transcends all generations so I think Neil Armstrong will never be gone," said Lafon.
What did Armstrong mean to you? We'd like you to share your memories and what July 20, 1969 means to you.
