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Obama: Apollo 11 Crew 'American Heroes'

By the Associated Press

Posted Jul 20, 2009 3:06 PM CDT

(AP) – President Barack Obama today hailed the Apollo 11 astronauts as "three American heroes," and claimed such exploration spurs ingenuity and inspires students in math and science. Obama commemorated the moment, 40 years ago today, when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took man's first steps on the moon. Obama says Armstrong, Aldrin and command module pilot Michael Collins were the touchstone for excellence in exploration.

The president compared the astronauts' accomplishment to one of his own goals: America having the highest high school graduation rates in the world by 2020. Astronauts attending the ceremony at the White House, including others from Apollo missions, made a pitch for a mission to Mars.

President Barack Obama, right, greets Apollo astronauts, from left, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins, and Neil Armstrong.
President Barack Obama, right, greets Apollo astronauts, from left, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins, and Neil Armstrong.   (AP Photo)
President Barack Obama talks with Apollo astronaut Neil Armstrong today.
President Barack Obama talks with Apollo astronaut Neil Armstrong today.   (AP Photo)
President Barack Obama with Apollo 11 astronauts, from left, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins, and Neil Armstrong.
President Barack Obama with Apollo 11 astronauts, from left, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins, and Neil Armstrong.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
rajanKazhmin
Jul 21, 2009 12:25 PM CDT
LOL space is for r-tards
Shannonals
Jul 21, 2009 12:25 PM CDT
CK you truly are an ignorant individual. All you do is flip flop on issues or repeat the same thing over and over again. By your reasoning your beloved heroes, Regan & Bush, are as much a part of the problem as Obama, or weren't you aware of the space program during their tours?

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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