Buzz Aldrin to Receive First-Ever Key to Montclair

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin will be honored by his hometown of Montclair in a special ceremony next month. 

Township Mayor Robert Jackson will present Aldrin with the first-ever "key to Montclair," on Sunday, June 2, Councilwoman Robin Schlager, who helped organize the event, said at Tuesday night's council meeting. 

A bronze plaque commemorating the Apollo 11 astronaut will be unveiled at Montclair High School, where he was part of the Class of 1947 and a member of the Mounties football team.

The community is invited to the special event, which will begin at 11 a.m. in the lobby of the high school.

Schlager said she spoke to Aldrin, who is 83 and living in California.

“He’s looking forward to coming and seeing everybody,” she said.

Schlager announced the launch of a committee to explore additional ways to honor Aldrin, the second man to set foot on the moon after Neil Armstrong during the Apollo 11 mission in July 1969.  

The possibilities include renaming a school or the Glenfield School Planetarium in his honor, erecting a statue or bust of Aldrin in Rand Park, and establishing a scholarship or grant program in his name.

Councilor-At-Large Rich McMahon said he would like to serve on the committee. McMahon suggested renaming Mt. Hebron Middle School, where Aldrin was a student.

After the reception at the high school, Aldrin will appear at the Montclair Public Library, at 2 p.m., to sign copies of his new book, Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration.

In Mission to Mars, Aldrin speaks out as an advocate for continued and expanded space exploration programs, including permanent settlement on Mars.

Schlager said the library event organized by Watchung Booksellers was sold out.