Updated: Montclair's Buzz Aldrin returns home - NorthJersey.com

Just moments after receiving a series of honors during a day bearing his name, Montclair's Buzz Aldrin ducked into a back office in Montclair High School, taking a break the early-June heat. STAFF PHOTO BY GEORGE WIRT Aldrin shares memories from his time at Montclair High School with attendees of his meet-and-greet Sunday afternoon, June 2. Aldrin spent much of this past Sunday, June 2, being welcomed back to his hometown. During a morning meet-and-greet, the Apollo 11 astronaut was presented with a key to the township, a plaque mounted in the entrance of Montclair High School, an original Montclair High 1946 state championship football trophy, and a honorary neckerchief from Boy Scout Troop 12, of which he had been a member. With a cup of lemonade in his hand, and his sister, Madeline, at his side, Aldrin told The Times that it meant a great deal to him to have his hometown honor him in such fashion. "It's proud to be remembered by the stepping stones along the way," Aldrin said of his life's journey that began in Montclair and included landing on the moon 44 years ago next month. "Where one comes from is where the foundation is really molded in the very early years." Aldrin referenced fond memories of those early years when addressing fans near the front entrance of Montclair High School. There, Montclair's native son conjured up anecdotes from his days as a "165-pound dynamo" on the school football team, the halls of the high school and even recited a poem he was assigned to write as a schoolboy. "I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to walk into these halls of education and see my name hanging around on banners," Aldrin told the crowd. "It's unbelievable. It really is. I just feel so choked up with emotion about being so lucky in my life. A lot of people helped. A lot of people were teachers along the way, and I listened to them - most of the time." The Apollo 11 astronaut spoke fondly of his educational upbringing, candidly about his struggles with depression and alcoholism, and made it clear that his focus is firmly set on an American-led expedition to Mars - adding that the 50th anniversary of the moon landing could be an appropriate time for the nation to make such a commitment. "It's my job to convince somebody in the White House that that's a worthy legacy for them to inherit, all they have to do is follow my instructions," mused Aldrin - drawing laughs from those in attendance. via Science - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEWvYi-nKLerZgrJvLOmhSBgXUkog&url=http://www.northjersey.com/community/210449311_Updated__Montclair_s_Buzz_Aldrin_returns_home.html

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