Neil Armstrong Celebrated At Private Memorial Service

(Newsroom America) -- The life of Apollo 11 Astronaut, Neil Armstrong, has been celebrated at a private memorial service at the Camargo Club in Cincinnati.

Family, friends and colleagues - including Apollo 11 Astronauts Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin - gathered to reflect on his extraordinary life and career, and offer thanks for the many blessings he shared along the way.

NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden paid tribute to a pioneering American; an explorer, a patriot and an individual who, with 'one small step,' achieved an impossible dream of walking on the moon.

"His remarkable achievements will be forever remembered, and his grace and humility will always be admired. As we take the next giant leap forward in human exploration of our vast universe, we stand on the shoulders of this brave, reluctant hero. Neil Armstrong's first step on the moon paved the way for others to be the 'first' to step foot on another planet. We have an obligation to carry on this uniquely American legacy.

"A grateful nation offers praise and salutes a humble servant who answered the call and dared to dream," Mr Bolden said.