On July 20, 1969 a major milestone in history was passed when Neil Armstrong stepped onto the surface of the moon. This was the most widely watched televised event at the time and even today, most people still remember what they were doing while watching the live telecast.

It wasn't until more than 30 years later that it was revealed that William Safire, the then-President Nixon's speechwriter had written two speeches. One that Nixon delivered, the other kept ready in case of a disaster which left the astronauts marooned on the moon.

Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace.

These brave men, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, know that there is no hope for their recovery. But they also know that there is hope for mankind in their sacrifice.

These two men are laying down their lives in mankind's most noble goal: the search for truth and understanding.

They will be mourned by their families and friends; they will be mourned by their nation; they will be mourned by the people of the world; they will be mourned by a Mother Earth that dared send two of her sons into the unknown.

In their exploration, they stirred the people of the world to feel as one; in their sacrifice, they bind more tightly the brotherhood of man.

In ancient days, men looked at stars and saw their heroes in the constellations. In modern times, we do much the same, but our heroes are epic men of flesh and blood.

Others will follow, and surely find their way home. Man's search will not be denied. But these men were the first, and they will remain the foremost in our hearts.

For every human being who looks up at the moon in the nights to come will know that there is some corner of another world that is forever mankind.

It feels strange to look back upon that event today and wonder about an alternate history from what we've learned and experienced.

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