My eyes have been wiped sufficiently clean of the tears that have flowed from the ducts as I have cheered the splashdown of the Artemis II crew.

We have returned to manned space travel courtesy of NASA, the federal space agency created in the 1960s to explore our solar system. Call it a new form of Manifest Destiny. Artemis II has set the table for a launch eventually to the moon that will establish what we believe will be a permanent station on Earth’s sole celestial orbiter.

This is a great day for Americans for those around the world who have grown weary of the dysfunction, the hatred and tumult that has infected the American system of government.

Sappy ol’ me did what I knew I would do. I cried when the crew splashed down in the Pacific Ocean after flying around the moon. It was the first up-close lunar visit in more than 50 years.

Well done, NASA. I am proud of the crew, the engineers and all who gave us reason to weep tears of joy.