How About Buzz Aldrin International Airport?

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By Robert Bunn – Former Senior Law Enforcement Attorney

At time when the nation is divided, quick to forget our past, and seemingly adrift, if not under attack, singular actions can change public perceptions. A good speech from the Oval office, a heroic deed that reminds us of what we are capable of, or a giving act, even one that is symbolic.

Recently, Apollo 11 Moonwalker Buzz Aldrin found a way to help our nation, selling signed Apollo 11 quarantine photos, then contributing 35 thousand dollars to the Salvation Army. One wonders if this might not be a good time to return the favor and remember who we Americans are, at our best.

The thought, which has been bandied about for years, is that perhaps Aldrin’s native New Jersey ought to be the location for remembering Apollo 11, what it meant to the nation, and risks taken by those who manned the mission. Public musings have suggested renaming Newark Liberty International Airport for Aldrin.

The idea may finally have traction, and with Aldrin now in his 90’s, various past astronauts come to mind for which institutions were rightly named: Shepherd, Glenn, Armstrong. Perhaps the time is right to consider renaming Newark for Aldrin.

The arguments against are that we have enough names, but then we also had enough when Ronald Reagan National was renamed, and when others around the country have taken on new luster. Moreover, the region, state, airport, surrounding towns, never mind travelers might be uplifted by the notion of travelling – stepping in time – where one of our first Moonwalkers is honored.