I hate to admit it, but I didn't learn until recently the importance of  Charlie Duke and how he was related to thenumismatic world. So in case anyone else out there is like me, I'll touch briefly about the significance of this astronautand his contribution to numismatics. Charlie Duke was part of the Apollo 16 mission and was the 10th man to walk onthe moon back in 1972. He was also the youngest person to step foot on the moon and still holds that record today. WhenI learned that he had a connection to Kennedy Half dollars,  which I collect, I knew then that I would eventually own one.     When I was growing up, I had heard the name Neil Armstrong, and knew he was the first person to walk on the moon. Ialso knew of the quotes that he made famous. I think the reason I knew Armstrong but didn't remember Duke was the yearin which they performed their feats that they were known for. In 1969 I was still in school and actively learning. In 1972, I wasthinking about things that would soon impact my life. My whole vocabulary would be changing. In April while Charlie waswalking on the moon, I had just received a letter from my Uncle, Sam that is. I was preoccupied with what my draft numberwould be in April 1972. The only Charlie I was concerned with was North Vietnamese soldiers. Saigon, DaNang, tripwires, and booby-traps had become my new vocabulary.     In closing, I have 2 observations. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? And two, pay closer attention to what'shappening in the world around you. In these days and times I often recollect the famous motto of the Non-Commissioned Officers Corps. which was painted on the side of a building at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, "Mission First, People Always"! Sage wordsof wisdom. I want to thank LongStrider for pointing me toward the Modern Coin Mart where I purchased the piece of historythat I now own below! They do have some pretty good deals. Until next time my friends, stay SAFE and healthy!  Charlie akaslybluenote