Here’s a message from Brother Mike Burch ’70:
Back in 1968 when I pledged Phi Delta Theta at Purdue, I had no idea that all those great experiences through my college years would be relived and enjoyed 50 years later. With this year being the 50th anniversary of Brother Neil Armstrong landing on the moon several brothers shared memories from back in the 1960s. What follows are a few of the emails from July 2019.
Subject: Re: Moon landing
It was a great summer in W. Lafayette…I remember moving the Apollo 11 cut out from the Earth closer to the Moon every day of the journey, then back again on the return…Our Phi in the Sky!…I know I have pictures somewhere of the celebration in the TV room…I’ll try and locate them…Seems like Neil visited the House, and we had “dinner” with him there…we really impressed him, I’m sure…was a great and proud moment in my life as well as other Brothers!
Morel later, Brothers and Sisters…I’m feeling really good…thanks for thoughts and prayers…they’re really comforting.
YITB
Jim 1169
Subject: RE: Moon landing
Neil had dinner at the house after his orbital flight and before Apollo 11. Then, according to Jack Menaugh, he visited in year 2000 or so.
YITB Mike Wilcox – Bond No. 1173
Subject: Re: Moon landing
Actually there was another visit by Brother Armstrong in the Fall 1969. With the news that Brother Armstrong was visiting the campus Jim Potter, who was president of the house, decided to find Brother Armstrong at one of the events that morning and extend a visit to the house that afternoon. Despite a very tight schedule Brother Armstrong said he would stop over. When Jim came back to the house with the news, I decided to buy some posters of Brother Armstrong on the moon for him to sign which he graciously did. The first poster was framed for the chapter room. I believe it is now hanging in the Neil Armstrong library at the chapter house.
YITB Mike Burch Bond # 1231
Subject: Re: Moon landing
Your email below about Jim Potter & Neil on the front page of the Lafayette Journal & Courier reminds me of another story I got from Jim when we both traveled to 503 on April 14, 2018, to attend the Founders Day dinner and participate in the Golden Legionnaire ceremony. When I arrived it was a pleasant surprise to find out it included the dedication of the Neil Armstrong Library. While Jim & I were having dinner that night, we were discussing the Neil Armstrong Library and he asked me if i noticed the Phi Lodge coffee cup which was part the exhibit.
When I mentioned that I did and wondered why it was included he said that during Neil’s Purdue visit they had stopped by the Phi Lodge and had a cup of coffee. It turns out that Jerry Gwinn was working in the kitchen that day and when Neil was done Jerry thought to keep that cup when he cleared the table and all these years later when he heard about the Library he offered to add it to the collection.
YITB Mike Burch Bond # 1231