Page:Apollo 11 Goodwill Messages.pdf/19



"At this historical moment, when man lands on the moon, I express on behalf of the Greek people my heartfelt congratulations to the Government of the U.S.A. and the distinguished men of the American nation, who led the way towards new horizons for the human race.

"I am particularly proud speaking on behalf of the Greek nation, whose ancestors had the privilege to be forerunners in the philosophical thought and scientific research, which first penetrated the universe.

"It is a happy coincidence that the amazing program of man's flight to space, which has been so magnificently fulfilled today, bears the name of the Greek God Apollo; this symbolic name demonstrates the never ending effort of man to achieve knowledge, beyond time and place.

"The difficulties, which had once broken the wings of Ikarus, are surpassed by man's persistence in his search for truth, and he is staring from the moon at the earth, whose peace and welfare should be now, more than ever, his main preoccupation."