Scotsman, that was heart-stirring, and inspirational. I also saw and felt all of the same things that you did, as a child in the 60’s.
When my family lived on Okinawa in the mid-sixties, we had an island-wide power failure one night. It was summertime, and I can still remember the splendor of the sky that night. It was exactly as you described it. Truly awe inspiring.
I have also been very disappointed that our nation essentially abandoned the forward progress of manned exploration of the solar system. As a kid, I imagined that by the dawn of the 21st century we would have well established colonies on the moon, Mars, and maybe even far beyond that.
Sadly, all of that wonderful adventure hasn’t happened in my lifetime, but I do know that the last forty years is simply a lull in the story of space faring. One day, it will barely rate a mention in mankind’s great history.
Like you, I believe it’s now my duty to fight for the survival of this great nation, so that little dreamers of today can one day walk the dusty plains of far off worlds.
... for Mankind.
For one Man, it can be an eternity.
Thank you. I'm grateful that it touched you. If I did it right, you will remember the visions it brought out in you at random times in the future, at key points when you are thinking back into the future that never was but could so handily yet be.
:)