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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Obama: Apollo 11 Crew 'American Heroes'

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(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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4 comments
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IN RESPONSE:
Shannonals
Jul 20, 09 7:25 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?
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rajanKazhmin
Jul 20, 09 7:25 PM CDT
LOL space is for r-tards
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SPH
Jul 20, 09 5:51 PM CDT
These three men are remarkable and in someways heroic but, in all fairness, there were also thousands of engineers, technicians, and aerospace workers that made this mission happen...And let's not forget the American taxpayer that (for the most part) happily footed the bil..... Reply
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PaleRider
Jul 20, 09 9:46 PM CDT
3 Hero's and 1 failure. Reply
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NASA • space travel • moon • Buzz Aldrin • President Obama • Neil Armstrong • Apollo 11 • Michael Collins

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