New statues, education center honor Neil Armstrong in Ohio

Patches adorn the spacesuit worm by astronaut Neil Armstrong for the Gemini VIII mission at the Armstrong Air & Space Museum, Wednesday, June 26, 2019, in Wapakoneta, Ohio. Image: AP Photo/John Minchillo

WAPAKONETA, Ohio — New statues of astronaut Neil Armstrong will be displayed and an education center dedicated in his name as his small Ohio hometown celebrates its native son’s history-making moon mission 50 years ago this month.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine plans to take part in festivities Sunday at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta (wah-puh-kuh-NET’-uh). New statues at the museum depict Armstrong as a boy and as a test pilot.

Visitors linger outside the Armstrong Air & Space Museum, Wednesday, June 26, 2019, in Wapakoneta, Ohio. Image: AP Photo/John Minchillo

The museum will dedicate the Neil Armstrong STEM Inspiration Center, promoting science, technology, engineering and math learning.

The western Ohio city of some 10,000 people has already begun commemorations of the July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 mission when Armstrong became the first man to step onto the moon. NVG

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