Estero locals who watched 1969 moon landing excited for next mission

ESTERO, Fla. (WINK) — For many, the last trip to the moon isn't just history—it's a memory.

It's been more than 50 years since Apollo 17 ended an era. For some, they missed the feeling that anything was possible.

WINK News reporter Paul Dolan spoke with those who lived it and with those who feel it to watch space exploration take off again. At the Estero Recreation Center, talk of an upcoming moon launch is taking people back to when history took off.

Glen, who was at the recreation center, remembered his reaction to the space program.

"I thought it was impressive only because I was kind of a nerd at the time, and I liked the idea of science going ahead," Glen said.

Nick shared similar sentiments about the ambitious project.

"I thought it was a very genius type of project," Nick said.

July 20, 1969, may be almost 60 years ago, but for Glen and Nick, it's still the day their country made history. The achievement represented more than a scientific milestone.

"It showed that we could do things together if we put our mind. I guess that was the thing," one of them said. "It also gave us a vision of what to do as a country. So it gave us a tendency to look forward, not at our individual weaknesses, but what we could achieve together, or what we tried to achieve."

Some remember the feelings, while others remember the feat. Put that together, and the whole story of that historic day becomes clear.

"We've looked at the moon for thousands of years, and then to have somebody be able to get up there and land... It was terrific. I thought, you know, I thought it was a terrific feat myself," one person said.

For Glen, the meaning of that moment has only grown with time.

"Little teary-eyed every time I hear that, just because it makes me feel impressed that we as humans can do these things," Glen said.

More than half a century later, we're reaching for outer space again on Wednesday. For Glen, Nick and millions of others, it's another chance to feel the awe of just how far people can go.