STEPPING OFF WITH THE LEFT FOOT
Stepping Off with the Left Foot (On the Moon) Roman Volsky Grand Marshal
any men of note have risen through the ranks of Freemasonry, making their indelible mark as leaders in business, industry, and politics. Several have risen to even greater achievements, filling our history books with stories that will last far after we have passed. A few have reached the pinnacle in their respective careers, becoming stellar examples of what the Craft is all about: being men of distinction.
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it, “bruzzer.” This mispronunciation stuck, and he was heretofore known as “Buzz.” In 1988, his famous moniker became his official name. Some people may say that it was no coincidence that Brother Aldrin was one of the first men to walk on the lunar surface. It was practically his birthright, as his mother’s maiden name was… Moon.
Throughout his historic lunar This summer we landing, Aldrin are celebrating remembered his an achievement Masonic roots. The of mankind that first words ever involved one of our spoken on the Moon own and that is were very likely landing on the Moon. those of Lunar Module pilot Aldrin’s, Edwin Eugene “Contact Light… “Buzz” Aldrin was Okay, Engine Stop.” pilot for the Apollo He carried with 11 flight that was the him the “Special first manned lunar Deputation” of then landing mission. Grand Master of Raised in New Jersey Texas J. Guy Smith, and later affiliated who constituted and with a lodge in Texas, appointed Brother he was the first Aldrin as his Special Mason to walk on the Deputy, to represent Moon. He could have the Grand Master on been the first man to the Moon. Brother walk on the Moon, Aldrin later certified but positioning of that he carried the the astronauts inside “Special Deputation” the compact Lunar Main: Brother Buzz Aldrin walking on the Moon. to the Moon on July Inset: Brother Aldrin Landing Module 20, 1969. In addition, made it easier for the he carried with him the Masonic flag, which was commander, Neil Armstrong, to be the first to exit emblazoned with the Blue Lodge Emblem, along with the spacecraft. the Scottish Rite insignias. Buzz Aldrin was not the first Mason to make space It doesn’t matter that he wasn’t the first Mason to be travel history. John Glenn, the first American that shot in to space. It doesn’t matter that he was the went in to space, is also a Mason. second man to walk on the Moon. What matters is It seems that Buzz Aldrin was destined to become how he did it. I am confident that he stepped off with a Mason. As a child, his sister could not pronounce his left foot. ■ the word “brother” properly, instead pronouncing The Voice of Freemasonry
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