Lunar landing: Catherine Barlick

Catherine Barlick,59, of West Islip, data entry operator. In 1969 she was a keypunch operator in Syosset.

I remember feeling so nervous. Here were three astronauts risking their lives to do something so brave. I was 19 years old then, and I still remember how proud my parents and I felt as we watched the TV screen. I was filled with amazement that the Apollo 11 space capsule could complete such a long journey to the moon, land safely and return home. . . . I prayed for them to get home safe.

At that time, my dad worked for Grumman (as a maintenance worker) in Bethpage. All the employees were given a poster commemorating this lunar landing. . . . All the employees signed it. (A negative of the signatures) was carried to the moon on Apollo 11. . . . My dad was so proud that he handmade an oak wooden frame for it and displayed it on our wall.

I am a deaf woman who enjoys the benefits of recent technology, like close-captioned television. However, back in 1969, this technology did not exist. I had to depend on my parents to tell me what was being said on the television. The visual images of the landing were unbelievable, even though the words were missing.