Friends, colleagues gather to remember Neil Armstrong

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Living legends of space gathered in DC today to remember one of their own the astronaut Neil Armstrong America's first man on the moon.

He died last month at the age of 82 more than four dates decades after he made his one small step.

Down into the lunar dust.

In that moment Neil Armstrong gained admission to a rarefied hall of American heroes.

And as time -- he became almost a mythical figure in our nation's history.

But to colleagues and family he was -- the famous astronaut not the former fighter pilot he was quite simply just -- He was a friend.

He was a regular guy.

Somebody played golf way.

Somebody -- -- so -- -- your vacation with.

No one.

But no one could have accepted the responsibility.

Of his remarkable accomplishment.

-- more dignity.

And more grace.

-- the Armstrong dignity and grace.

And a quiet bravery that carried him through a dangerous mission to the moon.

On behalf of all mankind.

Trace Gallagher in our West Coast -- so it was an extraordinary life.

It was shipman for all the praise and eloquence it was heaped upon Neil Armstrong today his family may have summed it up the best saying the next time the -- smiles down upon you think of Diehl Armstrong.

And wink.

I joined a grateful nation.

In saluting a brave and humble servant.

Who never stop dreaming a dreamer who demonstrated.

That it was possible to reach new worlds he's now slipped the bonds of earth.

Once again.

But what a -- he's left.

The memorial was attended by dignitaries political leaders family members including his NASA family.

Apollo eleven crew mate Michael Collins led the assembly in prayer.

And the first man to walk on the moon was eulogize -- the last man to walk on the moon.

-- -- and who spoke about his great friends love of family friends flight.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- And told the story of Neil Armstrong trying to land on the moon with just fifteen seconds of fuel he put -- -- on an index finger.

He killed his head and sort of put his hand -- say well.

When -- gage.

Says empty.

We all know there's a gallon or two left in the tank.

-- and the world watched in off as he landed.

Walked and -- home.

Hello -- and done.

I'm -- view by telephone from the -- room of the white out.

Fox News chairman and CEO Roger Ailes produced that call to president Richard Nixon.

I was watching the feeds from the moon and I realized we could have the first interplanetary split screen.

Because we don't split screens before but never really from the earth to moon now the man whose footsteps remain on the moon.

We'll be buried at city.

And let me.

-- among this.

And by the way the national cathedral is also home to the space window you see -- depicting the mission of Apollo eleven in that window is a moon rock given to the cathedral.

By the -- crew of Apollo eleven back in 1974 today.

That windows served as a reminder.

Of the journey made by a man a man ship who now journeys off.

Trace Gallagher in Los Angeles for -- -- thanks so much.

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Friends, colleagues gather to remember Neil Armstrong

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