To communicate that an action has occurred in the past, the location of the sign would be in front of the shoulder and the movement would be

in front of the chest at all times
upward, away from your shoulder
backward, over the shoulder
forward, away from the shoulder

In paragraph 47, it says “moments like these make a pioneering flight anything but dull” i’d say he’s optimistic and determined? ? and in 48, it describes how i’m assuming people he looks up to walked the same path so maybe he’s honored to be on the journey ? sorry if i’m wrong.