The dignified gentleman

with the fatherly growl

was everybody's uncle.

He saw us through conflicts

and shared our weariness with one.

He saw us through storms

both human and natual

in stern but comforting tones.

He blinked back tears

as the news from Dallas

made us weep.

Oh, but there was that summer day

in the Florida sun,

when he seemed infected with the fever

that gives little boys insomnia on Dec. 24

As the great colossus prepared

to rip away from earth,

taking men to the moon,

as the countdown approached liftoff,

The Voice of Authority became part little boy,

marveling hat a wish was coming true .

"Oh boy!"

In the great voice's body,

an awestruck youngster thrilled at

the great adventure about to unfold.

Did a part of him go into the stars

and land with the Eagle?

And that's the way it was.