On Space Race 2012 announcement day, Buzz was “on” and in his element.Television was out at the Needle shortly after 5:00 am.The story got moving overnight and we were getting calls from all over the country throughout the morning.When Buzz arrived, there was quite a stir.We needed stantions to contain the crowds. Buzz wanted to do one-on-one interviews, if possible.He likes to focus on the questions…something many of our spokespeople don’t take enough time doing.
His remarks were interesting and exciting. It’s clear he knows how to gauge an audience.You can see that from the sound bite that most of the media picked up. "It's fitting that this structure, the symbol for the 1962 World's Fair, was put together by private individuals," he said, adding that it's appropriate for the Space Needle to sponsor the contest "because Seattle is the home of Boeing, the number one airplane maker in the world." And, believe me, that got a response from the crowd.
The interviews went smoothly, although a couple of times he caught my eye and mouthed the word “Enough”. We gathered the broadcast media together and I called on them one at a time so each got at least one question answered. There were a couple of questions about the end of the Space Shuttle program where Buzz’s politics were showing. He made it clear that our current administration could be doing a lot more with space exploration but “their focus doesn’t seem to be in the right place.”
He was gracious, engaging and energizing. He travelled with his assistant, her new baby and husband, and the current love of his life, Michelle Sucillon. Michelle was a hoot to be around and she certainly has caught Buzz’s eye. She and I had a lot to talk about because she was a long-time event marketer for Borders, Warner Bros. and CBS. She met Buzz at a signing for his book “Magnificent Desolation” in an LA Borders in 2009. There is much more to that story but you can read it in the Daily News. This is not “Inside Edition”. Michelle did, however, grab the camera from my hand and shoot a photo of Buzz and me as we left the Needle. I’m glad I have it.
What a terrific time it was to be with such an iconic explorer. He really did boldly go “where no man had gone before.” Every time I get fed up with our politicians and the bureaucracy, things like the Space Program and the Space Race bubble up in my mind and I think how incredibly innovative and creative we have been in this country. We can definitely be world-shakers. At 81, Buzz Aldrin is a home-grown American with talent, drive, imagination and inspiration. Being around him makes you feel more alive. We talked a lot about my military father and an army up-bringing. “It was important,” he said. Veterans can relate.
Serving your country is an honor. For the 25 million veterans in this country,
today is a day to thank them. Buzz
Aldrin stands tall in the ranks of veterans out there. Spending time with him was impressive. Getting “Buzzed” is a good thing. In fact, it may be one of the best things
that could happen to any of us. Here’s a
salute to all the veterans out there.
This day belongs to you.
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