Gerald Griffin

We had what we called a state of the state a few minutes after they landed to make sure they were OKon the surface, we didnt celebrate at touchdown, there was too much left to do.

I called to be on the ground in 30 seconds. And 13seconds later, Buzz Aldrin said contact and the engines stopped. We knew they were close because they were kicking up dust. the tension was felt by everyone in that room.

Just because I was almost 62, I did not feel decrepit and felt I wasn't finished being a soldier yet.

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I found out that colonels can stay until they drop dead or get a walker and being a critical medical specialty as an Army trained emergency room doctor, I could stay until age 67.

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There cannot be any better cross-section of America and I think the soldiers represent the best we have. Today's soldiers are brighter and smarter, perhaps in a different way, than past generations because they've been brought up in the computer and information age.

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