many years ago, the great british explorer george mallory, who was to die on mount everest, was askedt he wanted to climb it. he said because it was there. space is there, and we are going to climb it, and the moon and the planets are there, and new hopes for knowledge and peace are there. and, therefore, as we set sail, we ask god's blessing on the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked. >> please join me in a moment of silence in memory of john fitzgerald kennedy, 35th president of the united tates. >> well, the sun is surely sinking down but the moon is slowly rising the must be still spinning round so this old world must still be spinning 'round and i still love you so close your eyes. you can close your eyes. it's all right. i don't know no love songs and i can't sing the blues anymore but i can sing this song and you can sing this song hen i'm gone it won't be long before another day yeah, we're gonna have good time and no one's going to take that time away you can stay as long as you like so close your eyes you can close your eyes it'

many years ago, the great british explorer, george mallory, who was to die on mt. the moon and the planets are there. and new hopes for knowledge and peace are there. and therefore, as we set sail, we ask god's blessing on the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked. ♪ ♪ ♪ er. >> please join me in a moment of silence in memory of john fitzgerald kennedy, 35th president of the united states. ♪ is moon is still rising so this ole world must still be spinning round ♪ ♪ and i still love you ♪ so close your eyes you can close your eyes ♪ ♪ it's all right ♪ i don't know no love songs ♪ i can't seem to do anymore ♪ ♪ but i can sing this song ♪ and you can sing this song when i'm gone ♪ ♪ it won't be long before another day ♪ ♪ yeah we're going to have good time ♪ ♪ and no one is going to take that time away ♪ ♪ you can stay as long as you like ♪ ♪ only close your eyes you can close your eyes ♪ ♪ it's all right ♪ darling i don't know no love songs ♪ ♪ and i can't seem to look anymore ♪ ♪ but i can sing this song and you can sing t

to those who ask why the moon, why choose this is our goal, he quoted the british explorer george mallory, when asked if he wanted to climb mount everest, he replied simply, "because it is there." well, said president kennedy, space is there and we are going to climate. those who recognizes push forward into new frontiers of art, literature, science, diplomacy, and activism because they are there. medal of freedom and knowledge is not just that something admirable has been done but these recipients have committed themselves, their lives, their careers, their creative capacity and passion to all of us. tonight we remember that the 50 years that have passed since president kennedy formally dal,blished this me guaranteeing that we honor civilians in this capacity, he displayed his faith that our quest for knowledge and progress would not be deterred. and he reminded us that everyone has the capacity to explore, imagine, and give back to our great nation, no matter the path we choose. when we are told, as my generation often is, of the challenges we face are insurmountable, or that our abilit