You really have to focus on what you are doing … airspeed … rate of climb … There are all sorts of things a pilot must do.” So it occurred to me that this could be a good thing for veterans who are suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder. Because one of the things they struggle with is getting out of themselves and focusing on something else besides their memories, this could be a way to help them get their minds off their problems and provide an enjoyable way to have a sense of accomplishment.
Two months later, Aerobility held the Aviators Ball, an event honoring individuals and groups connected to their cause. For instance, they gave an award to a man who has cerebral palsy and who learned to fly. Another man, wheelchair bound, learned to fly using special instrument panel adjustments, similar to those that some handicapped individuals use to drive an automobile.
When my turn came to address the crowd, I made a spontaneous, public commitment. “I have made a decision that I want to do what you are doing, but I want to focus on veterans in the United States.” There it was: I was on record.
I decided to call our organization U.S. Aerobility and to focus our efforts on creating opportunities for U.S. veterans, especially those with physical disabilities, so they can learn to fly. This organization has become near and dear to my heart.
We have already provided several combat veterans who are dealing with PTSD the opportunities to fly in a simulator, and then to fly in an actual plane. It takes concentration to fly, so when the vets discover that they can focus again, it opens whole new vistas of opportunity for them. If I can fly an airplane, what else can I do? they wonder.
In addition to U.S. Aerobility, I have been actively involved in raising awareness for veterans in another way. Until recently, when the national anthem was being played, the military hand salute was restricted to those in active service. In 2008, though, President George W. Bush signed a bill into law allowing veterans also to hand salute the flag, rather than simply putting a hand over the heart. It is a great way that other people can take note of and appreciate the veterans who have served our country.
To help create awareness of this new practice, I created an organization called VetSalute.org and have been attending more sporting events than ever before in my life! I’ve been to a Los Angeles Dodgers game on Memorial Day and to an Angels game on another occasion, and when “The Star-Spangled Banner” is played, I raise my hand in salute of our flag.
Somebody said to me, “Why are you doing a hand salute, Buzz? You’re not active military.”
“Because I am a U.S. veteran.”
“But I didn’t think veterans were supposed to hand salute?”
“Oh, yes, now we can,” I said.
To me, anyone who has served our country is worthy of honor, and this is simply another way that I can use my celebrity to help others go beyond where I have gone. Doing something bigger than yourself will bring you more satisfaction than all the accolades you can accumulate in life.
PERHAPS MY GREATEST LEGACY WILL BE my efforts to establish USSE—United Strategic Space Enterprise—a group of international expert advisers, a nonpartisan “think tank” whose members will meet regularly to study space policy, confer, and offer their expertise to all nations pursuing the exploration of space. Of course, the idea of the U.S.S. Enterprise reminds many people of Star Trek, so I tell them that we are going to have Star Fleet Captains, led by the Star Fleet Admiral—me!
I am also passionate about working with the Buzz Aldrin Space Institute at the Florida Institute of Technology, in partnership with Purdue University, to enhance and promote my vision of Mars exploration.
Just as the United States helped win two World Wars, as well as the cold war, America can now lead the way in the peaceful exploration of space. Neil and I left a plaque on the Moon that reads, “We came in peace for all mankind.” I still believe that is true, and it is the only way to effectively muster the resources—financial, intellectual, and technological—to explore deep space. Rather than competing with the Chinese or the Russians or the Italians or anyone else for dominance in space, we would be wiser to cooperate and win great victories for all nations.
As for the future, I strongly feel that we