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AROUND DELBARTON
ormer astronaut Buzz Aldrin visited Delbarton on February 28, 2013. The former fighter pilot, astronaut, astronautic engineer spoke about his boyhood in New Jersey, college at West Point, flying fighter jets during the Korean War and earning a doctorate from MIT in the new field of astronautics. “Timing is everything”, he said as he explained how his thesis on orbital rendezvous helped him to become the second person to walk on the moon. His friend, Delbarton father Dr. Robert Hariri P’18, had invited Aldrin to speak at Delbarton. After his remarks the audience gave Aldrin a rousing standing ovation chanting ‘USA, USA!” and he promptly joined in, pumping his fists in the air. He autographed the Delbarton guest book: “Montclair, NJ, West Point, Korea, Gemini XII, Apollo XI. Thanks for inviting me to share with you. twitter@the real buzz’. Aldrin described how his mother had been born the same year the Wright brothers first flew, and how sixty-six years later her son walked on the moon. He is passionate about space exploration, expects Americans to colonize Mars and made 540 boys believe that with intelligence, persistence, hard work and a dream, anything is possible.
Maggie Hariri P’18
Buzz Aldrin Lands at Delbarton School
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Jon Gentine’s 7th grade history class had a surprise guest on February 28, 2013.
Buzz Aldrin with his friend Dr. Robert Hariri ’18 and Hariri’s son Jack ’18.
42 D ELBARTON TODAY
Delbarton AP Physics teacher Greg Devine, who shares Aldrin’s passion for space exploration, meets an American hero.