SOCORRO, N.M. – New Mexico Tech and the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) will host a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 -- the first landing on the Moon – at 6 p.m. Friday, July 19, in Macey Center on the New Mexico Tech campus. The event is free and the public is invited.

The celebration will feature a presentation entitled, "Apollo 11: Eyewitness to History," by CAP Lt. Col. Dave Finley. Finley will relate his experience of personally watching, hearing, and feeling the awesome power of the Saturn V rocket as it launched the astronauts toward their rendezvous with the Moon.

In his talk, he will put the historic flight in the context of the Space Race and the intense geopolitical competition that triggered it, as well as recount the saga of the American space effort that produced the achievement.

(Pictured is Lt. Col. Dave Finley of the Socorro Civil Air Patrol.)

University President Dr. Stephen Wells said he’s pleased that New Mexico Tech is helping sponsor a commemoration of one of the most important events in human history – and a great human engineering and scientific achievement accomplished by our nation.

“For those of us who remember the moon landing, that day was a formative experience that stirred our imagination and encouraged many of us to pursue a life of science and engineering,” he said. “For everyone, the moon landing is a landmark occasion demonstrating the capabilities and potential of humankind when challenged to undertake what seems to be the impossible.”

“I hope everyone can join us for this informative and exciting event, celebrating the Apollo 11 anniversary,” he said.

The Socorro Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol will have displays and information on its programs and activities. CAP, the auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a national leader in aerospace education for youth and adults, and some NASA astronauts are former CAP cadets. CAP also performs most aerial search-and-rescue missions in the U.S., along with disaster relief and emergency services work for Federal, state, and local government agencies.

During the event, New Mexico Tech's Admissions Office will have information available about the university and its programs. New Mexico Tech's Magdalena Ridge Observatory and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory will have information and literature available about their scientific programs and outreach activities. Spaceport America will have an exhibit, and local photographers Colleen Gino and Dylan Etscorn will exhibit a collection of astrophotography.

A reception will follow the presentation and there will be a drawing for door prizes.

Finley is the historian for CAP's six-state Southwest Region. He was the founding commander of the Socorro Composite Squadron in 2007, and served in that role until 2015. A former science/medicine editor for The Miami Herald, he has been Public Information Officer for the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Socorro since 1992. He is a past president of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society, the Socorro Amateur Radio Association, and the Socorro County Chamber of Commerce. He is a widely-published author, a Private Pilot and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

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