WASHINGTON -- The nation is bidding farewell to Neil Armstrong, the first man to take a giant leap on to the moon.
The powerful of Washington, the pioneers of space, and the everyday public crowded into the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday for a public interfaith memorial for the very private astronaut. Armstrong, who died last month at age 82, walked on the moon in July 1969.
Photos: Neil Armstrong through the years
Apollo 11 crewmates Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins and Mercury astronaut John Glenn were at the church, which includes a moon rock embedded in its stained glass windows.
Singer Diana Krall was scheduled to sing "Fly Me To The Moon." The service also included excerpts from a speech 50 years ago by John F. Kennedy about why America was sending astronauts to the moon.
SETH BORENSTEIN
AP Science Writer
The Associated Press