TLS, one page, 8.5 x 11, personal letterhead, April 5, 1994. Letter to Thomas Barr of Western Star Publications regarding the 25th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. In full: “Thank you for your thoughtful letter. I am not surprised that you have been receiving inquiries in conjunction with the Apollo 11 25th anniversary. I have been deluged with similar inquiries for a number of months.”
“First, a word of background. Five years ago, the anniversary fervor rose to a high pitch. NASA was interested in conducting a high profile celebration. The Apollo crew supported events in Washington, Alabama, Florida, Texas, and others. The crew was successful in getting the government to include many of the Apollo participants including crews from other flights involved in the activities. We also received assurances from NASA that they would not expect to repeat such intensity for the 25th anniversary.”
“In addition to the above, I participated in or contributed to a wide variety of regional or local activities. I wrote editorials for both The Western Star and The Cincinnati Enquirer as well as pieces for a number of magazines.”
“At this point, the crew is not heavily involved in 25th anniversary activities. I am not aware of any NASA or other government planned events. Consistent with my past policy, I do not grant individual interviews. We have held press conferences in the past on the 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th anniversaries and on certain other occasions caused by newsworthy events.”
“While anniversaries give a certain opportunity to reflect and provide thoughtful appraisal, they are not news in themselves and are better categorized as feature. Newspapers, magazines, and television networks are planning special coverage. While they all believe that their efforts would be improved by crew interviews, they are probably incorrect. Apollo was a completely open program and everything was disclosed to the public at the time. Our recollections today can only be less precise than the information we have provided on so many previous occasions.”
“To respond to your specific request, you can tell those who ask that I will not be giving individual interviews, but can be reached at P.O. Box 436 in Lebanon. I am Chairman of AIL Systems, Inc., a New York electronics firm, which helps account for the fact that I am away from Lebanon.”
“I know this is not as helpful as you would like, but encourage you to feel free to contact me about any additional specific information.” In fine condition, with a bit of creasing along right edge.
This correspondence is as detailed a response as one could hope from the reclusive astronaut who, as he indicated, had been assured by NASA officials that the media spotlight would not shine so brightly upon him as the 25th anniversary of the first moon landing approached! The fact that Armstrong replied to a media inquiry is amazing—the idea that his response was this lengthy and with great commentary on the Apollo 11 mission is, dare we say, out of this world! Pre-certified Scott Cornish and RRAuction COA.
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