Kennedy Space Center director and former shuttle astronaut Bob Cabana led a brief memorial inside the lunar theater, next door to a hall showcasing a Saturn V rocket like the one used launch Armstrong's Apollo 11 crew from the space coast to the moon in 1969.
“What a fitting backdrop to honor one of our heroes, a truly great American", said Cabana. "Neil was one of my heroes, and he’s one of the finest gentlemen I’ve ever known.”
Cabana said Armstrong was slated to speak at the center’s 50th anniversary next month, and although he’d agreed, the Apollo 11 commander was reluctant to be the guest of honor.
He said Armstrong never sought the limelight, but just wanted to be part of the remarkable team moving the US space program forward.