“This decision demands a major national commitment of scientific and technical manpower, material and facilities,” Kennedy said. “It means a degree of dedication, organization and discipline which have not always characterized our research and development efforts. . . . In a very real sense, it will not be one man going to the Moon . . . it will be an entire nation. For all of us must work to put him there.”

At this crucial juncture, we should remember Kennedy's words. The path to any success is filled with hard work, burdens and challenges. We chose to go to the Moon to realize the potentials and possibilities that are within us. America should once again reach a consensus on and make a national commitment to U.S. human space exploration—a future that will embody the can-do spirit of the American people. I believe this nation must commit itself to achieving the goals of returning humans to the Moon and to sending them on to Mars.

It is time for America not to withdraw within itself, but to dream big dreams again. It is time for Americans to unite in accomplishing big goals again and reap the benefits in our educational systems, technical advancement and the economy that were realized when we first journeyed to the Moon.

By Jerry Ross