What was being said Saturday on the passing of Neil Armstrong:

• “For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink.”

– Armstrong’s family, announcing his death in a written statement

• “Neil was among the greatest of American heroes – not just of his time, but of all time.”

– President Obama

• “As long as there are history books, Neil Armstrong will be included in them, remembered for taking humankind’s first small step on a world beyond our own. Besides being one of America’s greatest explorers, Neil carried himself with a grace and humility that was an example to us all.”

– Charles Bolden, NASA administrator

• “He was the best, and I will miss him terribly.”

– Michael Collins, who flew to the moon with Armstrong and was the command module pilot

 • “When I think of Neil, I think of someone who for our country was dedicated enough to dare greatly.”

– John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth and Armstrong’s close friend

 • “RIP Neil Armstrong. Thank you for everything, for your sacrifices, achievements, and inspiration. We will try to carry on your legacy.”

 – Bobak Ferdowsi, flight director on the current Mars Curiosity mission, famously photographed with a mohawk haircut

 • “Neil Armstrong understood that we should reach beyond the stars. His ‘one giant leap for mankind’ was taken by a giant of a man.”

– U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., who flew on space shuttle Columbia in 1986, just one month before the Challenger accident

 • “Neil Armstrong was a very personal inspiration to all of us within the astronaut office. His historic step onto the moon’s surface was the foundation for many of our personal dreams to become astronauts. The only thing that outshone his accomplishments was his humility about those accomplishments. We will miss him as a friend, mentor, explorer and ambassador for the American spirit of ingenuity.”

– Bob Behnken, chief of the NASA Astronaut Office

• “With courage unmeasured and unbounded love for his country, he walked where man had never walked before. The moon will miss its first son of Earth.”

– Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor and Republican presidential hopeful