The Montclair Times editorial: 2013 is the year for Montclair to recognize Buzz Aldrin

21 May The Montclair Times editorial: 2013 is the year for Montclair to recognize Buzz Aldrin

Nearly 44 years ago, Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong alit upon the moon. Throughout the world, the feat of Apollo 11, which included astronaut Michael Collins, has been acknowledged, recognized and honored.

Buzz Aldrin is touring the United States on behalf of his book, “Mission to Mars.” He’s visiting Montclair, his hometown, in less than three weeks, on Sunday, June 2. In collaboration with Watchung Booksellers, Buzz will be in the Montclair Public Library, 60 South Fullerton Ave., to sign copies of his book, which envisions the United States in the forefront of establishing a manned colony on Mars.

More than four decades after the moon landing, our municipal and scholastic officials can guide public forums to name a public institution or a locale after Buzz Aldrin.

Are influential people pondering whether to name a school after Buzz Aldrin, or to name a planetarium inside a school after Buzz Aldrin? To resolve a potential debate, name a school and a planetarium after Buzz Aldrin.

In his middle grades, Buzz Aldrin attended Mount Hebron School. In the 21st century, Mount Hebron’s magnet theme is science and technology, engineering and mathematics. These are academic virtues personified by Buzz Aldrin.

Two of Montclair’s public schools, and the annex for Montclair High School, are already named in honor of noteworthy residents: Bradford, George Inness, Bullock, and Rand (or rather, Renaissance at Rand). Mount Hebron Middle School is named for a biblical site, not a person or neighborhood.

Montclair is Buzz Aldrin’s hometown, a place where he grew up and developed the motivations to become one of the first two humans to land on the moon in 1969. We’re in the year 2013, the year when Montclair should honor Buzz Aldrin.