Here man completed his first exploration of the Moon, December 1972 A.D
May the spirit of peace in which we came be reflected in the lives of all mankind
This valley of history has seen mankind complete its first evolutionary steps into the Universe
I think no more significant contribution has Apollo made to history
It's not often you can foretell history, but I think we can in this case and I think everybody ought to feel very proud of that fact
This is our commemoration that will be here until someone like
'Til some of you who are out there who are the promise of the future
Come back to read it again
And as I take man's lift up from the surface
Back home for some kind of going into the future
I'd like to just let what I believe history will record
That America's challenge of today
Has forged man's destiny once and for all
And as we leave the Moon and
We leave as we came, and God willing, as we shall return
With peace and hope for all mankind
God bless the crew of Apollo 17