Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/546222
July 20 - August 10, 2015 18 Working World l WorkingWorld.com O n July 20, 1969, America accomplished its single greatest technological achievement of all time, when Neil Armstrong first set foot on the moon. It's important to acknowledge that Apollo 11's Moon landing, occurring 8 years after President John F. Kennedy audacious challenge to the nation of landing a human on the moon by the end of the 1960's was the culmination of more than a decade of work by thousands of people across dozens of science, technologies and engineering disciplines. President Kennedy further pronounced to a nation in recession, "We choose to go to the moon… because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills…" As astronaut, pilot and decorated Korean War Naval Aviator veteran, Neil Armstrong spoke his famous quote "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," to over 600 million world-wide viewers, this noteworthy statement profoundly demonstrated what this nation can do with unified work effort and initiative. President Obama stated in memoriam to Armstrong, "Neil was among the greatest of American heroes–not just of his time, but of all time. When he and his fellow crew members lifted off aboard Apollo 11 in 1969, they carried with them the aspirations of an entire nation. They set out to show the world that the American spirit can see beyond what seems unimaginable–that with enough drive and ingenuity, anything is possible. And when Neil stepped foot on the surface of the moon for the first time, he delivered a moment of human achievement that will never be forgotten." On the anniversary of this landmark historical moment, Working World's cover photographer Francesco Caprio, proudly shares with our readers some interesting tidbits from his friendship and association with ground-breaking frontier astronaut Neil Armstrong. K: First off, how did you and Neil Armstrong meet? F.: In the 1980's I was the set photographer at NBC for Bob Hope's TV Specials. Neil was one of the guests for a show that was a tribute to NASA. K.: Did meeting the first human on the Moon have an effect on your career/life? F.: It had a huge impact on both. I always had a passion for space exploration, and when Neil walked on the Moon, he became my main role model. Later, I named my son Neil In Armstrong's honor. K.: What qualities did Neil have that you think people in the work place would find useful for success? F.: He had a terrific work ethic. He was dependable, and had a can-do attitude. We all know about Neil's walk on the Moon, but few of us think of all the hard work that came before that. It took a lot of determination to stick it out and stay with the unbelievably rigorous training at NASA that he went through. Neil had plenty of setbacks along the way. Several times he almost lost his life, but he persisted and achieved one goal after another. And as they say, 'the rest is history.' FEATURED ARTICLE by Ken Jones "He had a terrific work ethic. He was dependable, and had a can- do attitude. We all know about Neil's walk on the Moon, but few of us think of all the hard work that came before that. It took a lot of determination to stick it out and stay with the unbelievably rigorous training at NASA that he went through." One Giant Leap for America at Work Neil Armstrong: The Astronaut, My Friend. As told to Kevin Nguyen by Francesco Caprio