Neil Armstrong doesn’t make many public appearances, but when he does, they’re invariably in keeping with the demeanor of a national hero. I was fortunate enough to see him speak at the USC commencement a couple years ago, and he gave a great speech, that wasn’t about him, but was about the graduates and their future.

According to this story, he was also recently an inspiration to some kids in Israel:

Asked what lasting value the flights to the moon had, Armstrong responded they showed that “the human species, all of us, is not forever chained to the planet Earth.” He added, “I hope that man continues to expand his and her presence in space in the years ahead.”

Armstrong had advice for youngsters who want to be an astronaut one day: “That requires getting a very good education, particularly in the fields of science and mathematics.”

Israel’s only astronaut to take part in a space flight, Col. Ilan Ramon, was killed in the disintegration of the Columbia space shuttle on Feb. 1, 2003, along with the other six crew members. But Armstrong had only warm words about space travel.

“How does it feel to be inside a space ship?” a small girl asked him. With a huge smile, Armstrong replied, “You would like it.”

Asked if he would take a second chance to go back to the moon today, Armstrong jumped to his feet and said, “Of course,” and embracing the questioner, a teenage boy, asking him if he would like to come along.

Armstrong left Israel Tuesday evening without talking to reporters.

Smart move.