By: Gabriella Maxwell
Father PO3 Gabriel Maxwell, U.S. Navy
The Saturn V engines roar so loudly, the Mission Control countdown is barely audible in my earpiece. In one instant, my body is thrown back into the seat as Saturn V shudders violently. The raw power of the rocket shakes every bone in my body. The crushing force of gravity makes it feel as if the air is being stolen from my lungs. As Saturn V breaks through Earth’s atmosphere, the crushing force of gravity stops and is replaced by weightlessness all throughout my body. I glance out the window and see Earth shrinking behind me, slowly being swallowed by the black void of space. I find myself unable to be lost in the moment because my mind is fixated on the enormity of the history unfolding before me. My thoughts are cut short when I hear Neil Armstrong cracking a joke, causing the crew to chuckle. As we near the surface of the moon, I hold my breath until I feel a soft thump, signaling that we have made contact on the moon’s surface. Neil turns to me with a smile and asks “Want to do the honors?” I nod my head eagerly and steady my voice despite the infinite amount of adrenaline rushing through my veins and say “The Eagle has landed.” As Neil and I descend onto the lunar surface, he says, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” The moment my boot sinks into the lunar dust, I am hit with a wave of awe. The landscape is gray, barren and breathtakingly still. Beyond the horizon I see a tiny glowing blue orb – Earth. It is so small but brimming with life. I think to myself that this vantage point makes human conflict seem trivial and human connection feel undeniable. In this moment of time I find myself gaining a newfound perspective of exploration, science and the bravery and courage it takes to push beyond the unknown.
Apollo 11 is personally meaningful to me because it represents ambition, perseverance and human ingenuity. These values are something I strive for in my everyday life. Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Colling pushed the limits of what was possible and I too want to challenge the boundaries in my pursuit of knowledge and service. The Apollo 11 mission was more than about reaching the moon. It was also about proving that with determination and teamwork, you can reach your goals.
As someone who is passionate about science and medicine, I see parallels between space exploration and the medical field. Both fields require problem-solving, innovation, discipline and courage to face unexpected challenges. Just as NASA scientists and astronauts worked relentlessly to accomplish the moon landing, I want to push the frontiers of medicine and be able to make a lasting impact and be able to touch people’s lives. Apollo 11 is a reminder to me that true progress comes from daring to dream big and dedicating oneself to chase those dreams into reality.
