Today, 40 years ago, man stepped on the moon for the first time. “One small step for man. One giant leap for mankind.” Those words are magic. They have inspired a nation and a world to do better; to be better.

Even with our collective challenges, those words inspire. Before the three-day trip of 240,000 miles started, it took a decade of planning and hard work to bring those words to life.

President John F. Kennedy had said nine years earlier that we should have a man on the moon before the end of the decade. He was right. He helped set in motion a whole series of events that would move this nation forward in space exploration. It was his challenge that helped a nation put its Best Foot Forward.

Today, 500 men and women through the international space program have travelled to and lived in outer space. We know a few names, but most are just like us. They are dedicated public servants who go to work each day and do their jobs to the best of their abilities. They are focused on a defined mission, just like us. Like the astronauts of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, we have a mission. Our mission is just as important, if not more important.

Our mission is closer to home. We in Human Services daily put ourselves in positions to help individuals and families in need to help themselves lead safer, healthier, more independent and productive lives. When we do our share each day to bear that weight, we are fulfilling our mission, just as though we were one of the 12 astronauts who are on the International Space Station orbiting the Earth today. Yes, we have men and women living in space today.

While we are not living in outer space, we can remember, here on Earth, to keep putting our Best Foot Forward for our neighbors just up the road. GEJ