WEBVTT 00:09.560 --> 00:11.782 Ladies and gentlemen , please stand for 00:11.782 --> 00:13.782 the arrival of the official party . 01:29.089 --> 01:32.470 Be for word . 01:59.300 --> 02:03.099 Oh say can yeah , 02:04.559 --> 02:06.510 by the dance . 02:07.580 --> 02:10.380 Like what so 02:10.389 --> 02:13.479 proudly we had 02:15.179 --> 02:18.139 at the bright last 02:18.149 --> 02:22.100 cleaning who's brought stripes 02:22.110 --> 02:25.320 and bright stars 02:25.330 --> 02:29.259 through ? No that fine 02:30.839 --> 02:33.479 or the red part 02:34.990 --> 02:36.759 thoughts were so 02:38.740 --> 02:41.169 history . Mm 02:44.289 --> 02:48.009 It's red . The balls 02:48.020 --> 02:49.110 bursting 02:52.250 --> 02:55.589 da through the 02:57.589 --> 03:01.229 That was still 03:01.240 --> 03:04.539 there . Oh say 03:05.279 --> 03:07.820 cause that star sp 03:08.479 --> 03:12.100 gold . Oh yeah and 03:12.110 --> 03:13.110 where ? 03:16.710 --> 03:20.570 Oh and of the free . 03:24.649 --> 03:28.589 Mm the and the 03:33.639 --> 03:34.639 happened . 03:38.270 --> 03:39.270 Great . 03:43.350 --> 03:44.580 Right . Yeah , 04:22.540 --> 04:24.910 ladies and gentlemen , please be seated . 04:27.619 --> 04:29.786 Thank you Air Force band of the Golden 04:29.786 --> 04:31.675 West and technical sergeant James 04:31.675 --> 04:34.149 Rodenberg and a special thank you to 04:34.160 --> 04:36.970 the two NASA F-18s piloted by Mr Jim 04:36.980 --> 04:39.399 Less and Mister Sean Kern for that 04:39.410 --> 04:41.950 spectacular flyover . These aircraft 04:41.959 --> 04:44.200 are part of nasa's leading aerospace 04:44.209 --> 04:46.350 research team revolutionizing air 04:46.359 --> 04:48.980 transport on making flights faster , 04:48.989 --> 04:51.019 safer , more efficient and more 04:51.029 --> 04:54.200 sustainable like buzz in his epic 04:54.209 --> 04:56.420 journey to the moon and back . NASA 04:56.429 --> 04:58.651 continues to explore the secrets of the 04:58.651 --> 05:00.707 universe for the benefit of all from 05:00.707 --> 05:03.600 the skies to the stars . Please remain 05:03.609 --> 05:05.165 seated for the invocation . 05:19.730 --> 05:23.630 Then we pray almighty and never 05:23.640 --> 05:27.209 live in God we give you thanks 05:27.390 --> 05:31.260 for Doctor Bos Arian as we gather 05:31.269 --> 05:34.899 today to recognize that he is a true 05:34.910 --> 05:38.140 professional and a renowned astronaut 05:38.660 --> 05:41.420 who has all the leadership skills and 05:41.429 --> 05:44.089 experience to be promoted to the rank 05:44.100 --> 05:46.170 of brigadier general in the United 05:46.179 --> 05:49.390 States Air Force . You have always been 05:49.399 --> 05:52.540 with him and blessed him with knowledge . 05:53.700 --> 05:56.600 You have always guided him to adhere to 05:56.609 --> 05:58.869 your biblical injunction to conquer the 05:58.880 --> 06:02.399 earth by scientific discoveries and 06:02.410 --> 06:06.359 space explorations as he is being 06:06.369 --> 06:09.609 special ed . Once again , today , we 06:09.619 --> 06:13.059 ask that you strengthen him in mind and 06:13.070 --> 06:15.679 body to continue to be a steady 06:15.690 --> 06:18.880 advocate for human space exploration . 06:19.850 --> 06:22.149 Bless his bride , Doctor Anka Adrian 06:22.859 --> 06:26.179 and all his friends and colleagues who 06:26.190 --> 06:28.440 have always stood by him in his 06:28.450 --> 06:31.290 successful journey . Bless all our 06:31.299 --> 06:33.940 leaders in government and commerce who 06:33.950 --> 06:37.709 are present in this occasion . Bless 06:37.720 --> 06:39.850 our United States Air Force and Space 06:39.859 --> 06:42.630 Force leadership . Bless all our 06:42.640 --> 06:45.220 guardians and airmen , especially our 06:45.230 --> 06:47.286 commander , General Michael Goodland 06:47.286 --> 06:50.700 who presides at this event . And 06:50.709 --> 06:54.589 lastly , Lord , we ask that you 06:54.600 --> 06:58.269 continue to lead that order and all of 06:58.320 --> 07:02.130 us in the word of excellence and 07:02.140 --> 07:05.600 integrity in your holy name . We pray 07:06.260 --> 07:06.859 amen . 07:14.649 --> 07:15.816 I'll send you that . 07:22.160 --> 07:26.029 Ok . We would 07:26.040 --> 07:28.040 like to recognize some very special 07:28.040 --> 07:30.151 guests joining us today . Please hold 07:30.151 --> 07:32.151 your applause until all guests have 07:32.151 --> 07:34.029 been introduced . First . We are 07:34.040 --> 07:36.540 honored to welcome Colonel Buzz Aldrin , 07:36.549 --> 07:38.820 the United States Air Force retired his 07:38.829 --> 07:41.750 wife , Dr Anka Aldrin , his daughter , 07:41.760 --> 07:44.700 Janice and son in law Bruce . His sons , 07:44.709 --> 07:47.570 James Michael and Dr Andrew Aldrin and 07:47.579 --> 07:50.309 daughter in law Maureen . His grandson , 07:50.320 --> 07:53.350 Jeffrey and wife April and Buzz's three 07:53.359 --> 07:56.329 great grandsons Nathaniel Benjamin and 07:56.339 --> 07:59.850 Archie , a son and daughter in law 07:59.859 --> 08:02.459 Haley and their two daughters , Mali . 08:02.589 --> 08:06.290 And we also are fortunate to 08:06.299 --> 08:08.950 have many of Colonel Aldrin's nieces , 08:08.959 --> 08:11.220 nephews , cousins and close friends in 08:11.230 --> 08:14.829 attendance . We are pleased to 08:14.839 --> 08:16.783 welcome our distinguished guests . 08:17.809 --> 08:20.029 Representative , 41st congressional 08:20.040 --> 08:22.390 district California and chairman of the 08:22.399 --> 08:24.510 Defense Appropriations subcommittee , 08:24.510 --> 08:25.955 Congressman Ken Calvert , 08:26.869 --> 08:29.089 representative 27th congressional 08:29.100 --> 08:31.267 district California , Congressman Mike 08:31.267 --> 08:34.400 Garcia , the office of Congressman Ted 08:34.409 --> 08:36.539 Lieu , 36th congressional district 08:36.549 --> 08:39.549 California , former United States , 08:39.559 --> 08:42.549 Senator New Mexico and Apollo 17 lunar 08:42.559 --> 08:44.840 module pilot Dr Harrison Schmidt , 08:46.280 --> 08:48.447 chairman of American Global Strategies 08:48.447 --> 08:50.613 and former national security adviser , 08:50.613 --> 08:53.250 Ambassador Robert C o'brien , retired 08:54.690 --> 08:56.634 Secretary of the United States Air 08:56.634 --> 08:58.634 Force , the honorable Frank Kendall 08:59.280 --> 09:01.809 Consul General , Dean of Los Angeles 09:01.820 --> 09:04.030 Consular Corps Consulate General of 09:04.039 --> 09:05.706 Romania in Los Angeles Cosmin 09:09.210 --> 09:11.640 Consulate General of Romania in Los 09:11.650 --> 09:12.719 Angeles . More 09:15.500 --> 09:17.429 deputy administrator , National 09:17.440 --> 09:19.607 Aeronautics and Space Administration , 09:19.607 --> 09:22.859 MS Pamela Melroy , Deputy Director of 09:22.869 --> 09:24.869 Policy and Strategic Communications 09:24.869 --> 09:26.869 Division , National Aeronautics and 09:26.869 --> 09:29.147 Space Administration . Mr James Miller , 09:29.900 --> 09:31.844 among our distinguished guests and 09:31.844 --> 09:34.011 attendants , we are pleased to welcome 09:34.011 --> 09:36.233 the family of Lieutenant General Gule , 09:36.233 --> 09:38.067 his wife Rachel , his daughter , 09:38.067 --> 09:40.780 Courtney and her wife Rachel , his 09:40.789 --> 09:43.599 daughters , Amanda and Madeleine and 09:43.609 --> 09:45.665 his father in law , Mr Tim Herring , 09:46.640 --> 09:48.640 senior enlisted leader of the Space 09:48.640 --> 09:51.000 Systems Command chief Master Sergeant , 09:51.010 --> 09:54.859 Willie Fraser , chairman , users , 09:54.869 --> 09:57.260 Advisory group , National Space Council 09:57.270 --> 09:58.937 and Director General Dynamics 09:58.937 --> 10:01.280 Corporation Board of Patel and KBR 10:01.369 --> 10:03.859 Corporation General , Lester Lyles , 10:04.099 --> 10:06.210 the United States Air Force , retired 10:06.909 --> 10:09.299 Admiral James Ellis , United States 10:09.309 --> 10:12.419 Navy , retired director of staff , 10:12.429 --> 10:14.596 United States Space Force , Lieutenant 10:14.596 --> 10:18.539 General Nina Arm . We also 10:18.549 --> 10:20.605 would like to thank all other family 10:20.605 --> 10:22.827 friends , senior government officials , 10:22.827 --> 10:24.660 military members , international 10:24.660 --> 10:26.827 partners , industry leaders and guests 10:26.827 --> 10:28.938 for joining , joining us in person or 10:28.938 --> 10:30.882 online for this special occasion . 10:41.650 --> 10:43.761 Ladies and gentlemen , at this time , 10:43.761 --> 10:45.817 we invite Lieutenant General Michael 10:45.817 --> 10:47.817 Gulen to come forward and say a few 10:47.817 --> 10:47.609 words . 10:58.020 --> 10:59.464 I'm not quite that tall . 11:02.440 --> 11:06.140 Colonel , Colonel Colonel Aldrin AA , 11:06.340 --> 11:08.284 thank you very much for being here 11:08.284 --> 11:10.599 today . This is a very special treat 11:10.799 --> 11:12.688 for all of us and probably a well 11:12.688 --> 11:15.619 deserved uh promotion for Buzz Sergeant , 11:15.809 --> 11:17.976 Kendall . Thank you for flying all the 11:17.976 --> 11:19.976 way here from DC uh last night . Uh 11:19.976 --> 11:21.865 spending some time with us . It's 11:21.865 --> 11:23.809 always a great host to you , sir , 11:23.809 --> 11:25.809 General Isles . Welcome home . It's 11:25.809 --> 11:27.976 always good to see you . General Isles 11:27.976 --> 11:30.087 used to be the uh S MC commander here 11:30.087 --> 11:30.030 in Los Angeles and went on to be the A 11:30.039 --> 11:32.261 F MC commander . So welcome back to the 11:32.261 --> 11:36.260 family chairman Ken Calvert , 11:36.270 --> 11:38.780 sir . Thank you for your team , putting 11:38.789 --> 11:40.678 all this together . Thank you for 11:40.678 --> 11:42.622 coming all the way out here . It's 11:42.622 --> 11:44.678 great to have you as the Chairman of 11:44.678 --> 11:46.900 the Defense Appropriations subcommittee 11:46.900 --> 11:49.067 and the representative of California's 11:49.067 --> 11:51.233 41st congressional district to be here 11:51.233 --> 11:50.760 on our team , sir . It means a lot . 11:50.770 --> 11:54.140 Thank you very much . All federal 11:54.150 --> 11:56.669 state and local leaders that are with 11:56.679 --> 12:00.239 us today . Thank you . Thank you for 12:00.250 --> 12:02.306 coming all the way out here to honor 12:02.306 --> 12:04.472 one of our own , to all the airmen and 12:04.472 --> 12:06.472 guardians who have the privilege of 12:06.472 --> 12:08.639 witnessing this historic event . Thank 12:08.639 --> 12:10.861 you for being here today and thanks for 12:10.861 --> 12:10.710 everything you do every day for our 12:10.719 --> 12:13.869 National defense . And a big shout out 12:13.880 --> 12:16.210 to my wife Rachel , my four daughters 12:16.219 --> 12:18.441 and my father in law , Tim here who are 12:18.441 --> 12:20.608 always by my side here to support me . 12:20.608 --> 12:22.608 I am Lieutenant General Mike Gula , 12:22.608 --> 12:24.886 commander of the Space Systems Command . 12:24.886 --> 12:27.052 And I'd like to personally thank every 12:27.052 --> 12:28.997 one of you for joining us today to 12:28.997 --> 12:30.997 honor Buzz's promotion to Brigadier 12:30.997 --> 12:33.275 General of the United States Air Force . 12:33.275 --> 12:35.052 I would argue it's probably the 12:35.052 --> 12:37.929 greatest Air Force on the planet . I'd 12:37.940 --> 12:40.119 also like to thank Doctor Aka Aldrin 12:40.130 --> 12:42.074 for being here today . So often we 12:42.074 --> 12:44.186 forget to recognize the hard work and 12:44.186 --> 12:46.352 the sacrifices of our families and the 12:46.352 --> 12:48.352 loved ones that put all the work in 12:48.352 --> 12:50.463 behind the scenes that we couldn't do 12:50.463 --> 12:52.574 what we do without you . So thank you 12:52.574 --> 12:54.741 very much and welcome to the Space and 12:54.741 --> 12:54.609 Air Force Family . 13:02.890 --> 13:05.479 It is such an honor to be here today as 13:05.489 --> 13:07.656 the Commander of Field Command . I get 13:07.656 --> 13:10.159 to do a lot of special events , really 13:10.169 --> 13:12.280 significant , unique , but one of the 13:12.280 --> 13:14.559 best are promotions . Promotions are 13:14.570 --> 13:16.626 amongst the best because they are an 13:16.626 --> 13:18.737 opportunity to recognize not only the 13:18.737 --> 13:20.626 accomplish accomplishments of our 13:20.626 --> 13:22.514 airmen and our guardians , but to 13:22.514 --> 13:24.737 personally thank the families for their 13:24.737 --> 13:26.959 contributions as well . I want to thank 13:26.959 --> 13:28.792 the entire team that pulled this 13:28.792 --> 13:31.260 together . It took a village to pull 13:31.270 --> 13:33.609 this off and it's magnificent . Thank 13:33.619 --> 13:35.730 you all very much . How about a round 13:35.730 --> 13:35.659 of applause for those ? 13:42.070 --> 13:43.903 So we have a motto here in Space 13:43.903 --> 13:46.237 Systems Command . The space starts here . 13:47.059 --> 13:48.837 I can't think of a more fitting 13:48.869 --> 13:51.049 location to hold the ceremony today 13:51.059 --> 13:53.115 than here at Space Systems Command . 13:53.115 --> 13:55.337 And at Los Angeles Air Force Base , the 13:55.337 --> 13:58.669 statue you see behind me is of General 13:58.719 --> 14:01.200 Bernard Schriever , the father of the 14:01.210 --> 14:03.270 Air Force's Space and missile 14:03.280 --> 14:06.570 Capabilities . He started SSC in this 14:06.580 --> 14:08.747 base in a small schoolhouse , a couple 14:08.747 --> 14:11.580 of miles from here in 1954 . Throughout 14:11.590 --> 14:13.757 the Cold War , our nation was facing a 14:13.757 --> 14:15.979 threat . Unlike we'd ever seen before . 14:15.979 --> 14:18.090 The Soviet Union hoped to advance the 14:18.090 --> 14:20.201 spread of communism across Europe and 14:20.201 --> 14:22.257 throughout the world . The objective 14:22.257 --> 14:24.257 was clear , they wanted to become a 14:24.257 --> 14:27.679 hedge of me as the world's only , only 14:27.690 --> 14:31.010 superpower and to impose their ideology 14:31.020 --> 14:33.590 on the world's population . The United 14:33.599 --> 14:35.710 States had a near peer competitor who 14:35.710 --> 14:37.877 was aiming to utilize the space domain 14:37.877 --> 14:40.489 to gain dominance over us and to 14:40.500 --> 14:44.450 destroy our way of life . We 14:44.460 --> 14:46.400 had to adapt to a threat that was 14:46.409 --> 14:48.465 stronger , that was growing stronger 14:48.465 --> 14:50.576 every day and to an environment which 14:50.576 --> 14:53.200 was largely unknown . General Schriever 14:53.309 --> 14:55.476 was outspoken and passionate about the 14:55.476 --> 14:57.698 funding that we needed for the nation's 14:57.698 --> 14:59.753 space programs . At a time when most 14:59.753 --> 15:01.865 air force leaders were solely focused 15:01.865 --> 15:04.719 on aircraft and bomber development . It 15:04.729 --> 15:07.530 was here in Los Angeles where his team 15:07.539 --> 15:09.539 began the design of the systems and 15:09.539 --> 15:11.428 technologies which would fuel the 15:11.428 --> 15:13.440 nation's space exploration . His 15:13.450 --> 15:15.617 development of the Titan , the Atlas , 15:15.617 --> 15:17.619 the Thor and the men of man missile 15:17.630 --> 15:19.869 systems were critical in fulfilling the 15:19.880 --> 15:22.150 deterrent strategy so vital . During 15:22.159 --> 15:24.619 the Cold War , both the Titan and the 15:24.630 --> 15:27.150 Atlas vehicles that he architected here 15:27.159 --> 15:29.539 in Los Angeles were used to launch the 15:29.549 --> 15:31.549 Mercury and the Gemini manned 15:31.559 --> 15:33.448 spacecraft in preparation for the 15:33.448 --> 15:36.200 Apollo program , the Apollo program and 15:36.210 --> 15:38.377 the successful moon landing by Colonel 15:38.377 --> 15:40.266 Aldrin cemented the United States 15:40.266 --> 15:43.409 dominance in space . Today we face a 15:43.419 --> 15:46.109 similar threat . Our adversaries are 15:46.119 --> 15:48.469 proving not only capable and ambitious 15:48.479 --> 15:50.500 but also determined to utilize the 15:50.510 --> 15:52.510 space domain to reach their goal of 15:52.510 --> 15:54.630 becoming a single world power in 15:54.640 --> 15:56.719 imposing on the world's population , 15:57.049 --> 16:00.109 their ideology . We are witnessing the 16:00.119 --> 16:03.429 beginning of a new space race like the 16:03.440 --> 16:06.099 last one . This is a race we cannot 16:06.109 --> 16:09.580 lose . We must maintain a mindset of 16:09.590 --> 16:12.049 enduring competition and we must ensure 16:12.059 --> 16:14.226 our nation is never caught by surprise 16:15.130 --> 16:17.309 on the wall behind Schriever statue . 16:17.320 --> 16:20.500 You will see a quote by him which says 16:22.020 --> 16:24.309 the world has an ample supply of people 16:24.320 --> 16:26.320 who can always come up with a dozen 16:26.359 --> 16:30.119 good reasons why a new idea will not 16:30.130 --> 16:33.419 work and should not be tried . But the 16:33.429 --> 16:35.690 people who produce progress are a breed 16:35.700 --> 16:39.020 apart . They have the imagination , the 16:39.030 --> 16:42.219 courage and the persistence to find 16:42.229 --> 16:44.570 solutions . There is one person here 16:44.580 --> 16:47.090 today who has that caliber of 16:47.099 --> 16:49.409 imagination , the courage and the 16:49.419 --> 16:51.440 persistence which general Schriever 16:51.450 --> 16:54.789 spoke of . He is a person who produces 16:54.799 --> 16:57.789 progress no matter the challenge . That 16:57.799 --> 16:59.679 person is Colonel Buzz Aldrin . 17:08.890 --> 17:10.834 His contributions to the aerospace 17:10.834 --> 17:12.779 field and his contributions to our 17:12.779 --> 17:14.834 nation are immeasurable like general 17:14.834 --> 17:17.001 Schriever . He was the , he was at the 17:17.001 --> 17:19.057 forefront of integrating the air and 17:19.057 --> 17:20.890 space domains . His sacrifices , 17:20.890 --> 17:23.310 courage and tenacity ensured we 17:23.319 --> 17:25.439 continue to exist as a free and 17:25.449 --> 17:27.670 independent nation . Well , we only 17:27.680 --> 17:29.847 stood up the United States Space Force 17:29.847 --> 17:32.069 in 2019 and named our brave men and 17:32.079 --> 17:34.760 women Guardians . I will argue that 17:34.770 --> 17:36.989 Colonel Aldrin was truly one of our 17:37.000 --> 17:39.167 first guardians willing to protect and 17:39.167 --> 17:41.380 to defend this nation with all that we 17:41.390 --> 17:44.390 hold dear . The Guardian Spirit 17:44.400 --> 17:46.178 published in April of this year 17:46.280 --> 17:48.391 discusses the guardian values that we 17:48.391 --> 17:51.739 all hold dear . They are character 17:51.750 --> 17:55.540 above all connection towards unity , 17:55.910 --> 17:59.359 commitment to mastery and the courage 17:59.369 --> 18:02.660 to be bold . It helps the answers 18:02.670 --> 18:04.839 answer the questions . What does it 18:04.849 --> 18:07.359 mean to be a space force guardian ? I 18:07.369 --> 18:09.536 would argue , Colonel Aldrin is one of 18:09.536 --> 18:11.949 the first true guardians . He is not 18:11.959 --> 18:14.126 one of the first two guardians because 18:14.126 --> 18:16.310 he walked on the moon . He is not one 18:16.319 --> 18:18.319 of the first true guardians because 18:18.319 --> 18:20.041 he's an astronaut and a rocket 18:20.041 --> 18:22.263 scientist . There is so much more to it 18:22.263 --> 18:24.250 than that . He is one of the first 18:24.260 --> 18:26.540 guardians because he lived a life which 18:26.550 --> 18:28.772 epitomizes the values we strive to live 18:28.772 --> 18:31.849 by . Today . We were on the brink of a 18:31.859 --> 18:34.280 nuclear war when he served his 18:34.290 --> 18:37.760 character connection , commitment and 18:37.770 --> 18:40.449 above all his courage were tested on a 18:40.459 --> 18:44.270 daily basis . When you look at the 18:44.280 --> 18:46.391 life of Colonel Buzz Aldrin , you see 18:46.391 --> 18:48.447 all these traits exemplified without 18:48.449 --> 18:50.560 the courage and dedication to Colonel 18:50.560 --> 18:52.338 Aldrin . We may never have been 18:52.338 --> 18:54.282 afforded the luxury of leading the 18:54.282 --> 18:56.410 lifestyle we all enjoy today over the 18:56.420 --> 18:59.989 past 54 years since stepping foot on 19:00.000 --> 19:02.111 the moon surface . Colonel Aldrin has 19:02.111 --> 19:04.222 been an inspiration to a nation and a 19:04.222 --> 19:06.556 tireless advocate for space exploration . 19:07.459 --> 19:10.719 Space started here at Space Systems 19:10.729 --> 19:12.507 Command and all of our nation's 19:12.510 --> 19:14.843 achievements in space certainly started . 19:14.843 --> 19:17.410 Thanks to the patriotism and courage of 19:17.420 --> 19:20.089 Colonel Buzz Aldrin . I cannot think of 19:20.099 --> 19:22.430 anyone more deserving of the promotion 19:22.439 --> 19:24.599 to brigadier general , nor a more 19:24.609 --> 19:26.739 perfect location to be Commemorating 19:26.750 --> 19:28.839 this great event in the nation's 19:28.849 --> 19:31.339 history at this time . I'd like to 19:31.349 --> 19:33.460 invite Representative Calvert to come 19:33.460 --> 19:35.127 forward and say a few words . 19:43.540 --> 19:46.140 Thank you Colonel . Today we are here 19:46.150 --> 19:48.630 to celebrate a man who flew among the 19:48.640 --> 19:52.400 stars and we honor him today by giving 19:52.410 --> 19:55.630 a star of his own buzz Aldrin , of 19:55.640 --> 19:57.807 course , is a living legend , American 19:57.807 --> 19:59.640 hero . And in my opinion , it is 19:59.640 --> 20:03.160 fitting and appropriate to commend him 20:03.170 --> 20:05.650 once again for being an air and space 20:05.660 --> 20:08.310 pioneer . I want to express my sincere 20:08.319 --> 20:10.160 appreciation to the Air Force , 20:10.329 --> 20:12.719 especially Secretary Frank Kendall and 20:12.729 --> 20:14.673 Defense Department of approving my 20:14.673 --> 20:17.089 request to honor promote Colonel Buzz 20:17.099 --> 20:19.432 Aldrin to the rank of brigadier general . 20:19.479 --> 20:21.646 I also want to thank the staff here at 20:21.646 --> 20:24.319 Space Systems Command in here for space 20:24.329 --> 20:26.218 and everyone involved with making 20:26.218 --> 20:28.800 today's celebration possible . You made 20:28.810 --> 20:30.810 my colleague Mike Garcia very happy 20:30.810 --> 20:33.319 when he saw the F-18s flying over 20:34.729 --> 20:36.451 Buzz . Aldrin is a man who has 20:36.451 --> 20:38.569 dedicated his life to causes greater 20:38.579 --> 20:40.880 than himself first as an air force 20:40.890 --> 20:43.680 pilot and later as a NASA astronaut , 20:44.040 --> 20:46.096 Buzz amassed a record of achievement 20:46.096 --> 20:48.229 and flight that is truly out of this 20:48.239 --> 20:51.560 world at a relatively young age . Buzz 20:51.569 --> 20:53.513 was tested in the air as a fighter 20:53.513 --> 20:55.530 pilot in the Korean War . He passed 20:55.540 --> 20:58.270 that test with flying colors like many 20:58.280 --> 21:00.760 pilots in this era . Buzz said his 21:00.770 --> 21:02.839 height is higher . Humans inherently 21:02.849 --> 21:05.969 are attracted to the unknown buzz once 21:05.979 --> 21:08.040 explained that exploration is wired 21:08.050 --> 21:10.819 into our brains . If we can see the 21:10.829 --> 21:13.410 horizon , we want to know what's beyond 21:14.599 --> 21:16.821 that desire is a guiding element of our 21:16.821 --> 21:19.869 American story from the expeditions of 21:19.880 --> 21:21.769 European settlers to the westward 21:21.769 --> 21:24.170 journey of Lewis and Clark . And the 21:24.180 --> 21:26.180 relentless innovation of the Wright 21:26.180 --> 21:28.236 Brothers . The future of our country 21:28.236 --> 21:30.199 has always been paved by explorers 21:30.869 --> 21:33.880 while buzz was studying , let's just 21:33.890 --> 21:35.949 call it space science at MIT . 21:36.050 --> 21:38.272 President Kennedy declared the start of 21:38.272 --> 21:40.750 the space race with the goal of sending 21:40.760 --> 21:42.982 Americans to the moon . And back before 21:42.982 --> 21:45.869 the end of the 1960 s in his famous , 21:45.880 --> 21:48.890 we choose to go to the moon speech JFK 21:48.900 --> 21:52.000 pointed out that this country of the 21:52.010 --> 21:54.099 United States was not built by those 21:54.109 --> 21:56.109 who waited and rested and wished to 21:56.109 --> 21:58.250 look behind them . This country was 21:58.260 --> 22:00.316 conquered by those who moved forward 22:00.670 --> 22:03.750 and so will space . I can tell you from 22:03.760 --> 22:06.239 my experience serving in Congress that 22:06.250 --> 22:09.060 politicians make promises , but we rely 22:09.069 --> 22:11.550 upon American people to deliver on them . 22:12.000 --> 22:15.199 Congress can pass laws , we can approve 22:15.209 --> 22:18.540 a budget , hopefully direct funding . 22:19.319 --> 22:22.150 We can legislate innovation , courage 22:22.430 --> 22:24.989 and sacrifice . This is especially true 22:25.000 --> 22:27.079 for both our military and space 22:27.089 --> 22:30.979 exploration . Thankfully for us , Buzz 22:30.989 --> 22:33.310 Aldrin was not a man who waited and 22:33.319 --> 22:36.329 rested . He applied to be an astronaut 22:36.339 --> 22:39.119 first in 1962 then again successfully 22:39.130 --> 22:42.280 in 1963 . I think some historical 22:42.290 --> 22:44.512 perspective needs to be considered when 22:44.512 --> 22:46.568 we think about what it meant to step 22:46.568 --> 22:48.734 forward and sign up to be an astronaut 22:48.859 --> 22:51.439 in the early 1960 . S . I think it's 22:51.449 --> 22:53.227 fair to say that even now , not 22:53.227 --> 22:55.640 everyone is eager to be strapped on top 22:55.650 --> 22:57.839 of a rocket with £7.5 million of 22:57.849 --> 22:59.793 thrust . That contains hundreds of 22:59.793 --> 23:02.329 thousands of pounds of liquid oxygen 23:02.339 --> 23:04.880 and hydrogen . But those of you in the 23:04.890 --> 23:07.189 Air Force and Space Force probably know 23:07.829 --> 23:09.996 there are indeed men and women who are 23:09.996 --> 23:13.089 actually eager to volunteer to do just 23:13.099 --> 23:15.680 that . Thankfully , for the rest of us 23:15.689 --> 23:18.619 buzz was more than happy to carry the 23:18.630 --> 23:20.569 baton of American history of 23:20.579 --> 23:23.369 exploration and the process buckle in 23:23.609 --> 23:26.189 for what was to be one heck of a ride . 23:27.209 --> 23:30.020 His first mission into space was Gemini 23:30.030 --> 23:33.260 12 where he performed a combined 23:33.270 --> 23:36.680 5.5 hours conducting extra vehicle 23:36.689 --> 23:39.130 activity or spacewalks . During that 23:39.140 --> 23:41.196 mission . Buzz was famously took the 23:41.196 --> 23:43.449 first selfie photograph in space . I'm 23:43.459 --> 23:45.626 sure it would have gone viral , but it 23:45.626 --> 23:47.848 was just a little bit ahead of its time 23:47.910 --> 23:50.077 for the next journey into space . Buzz 23:50.077 --> 23:52.021 was selected to serve as the lunar 23:52.021 --> 23:54.299 module pilot and the crew of Apollo 11 . 23:54.299 --> 23:56.466 The most famous important and historic 23:56.466 --> 23:58.688 of all space missions . Walter Cronkite 23:58.688 --> 24:00.854 described the Apollo 11 mission as the 24:00.854 --> 24:03.430 greatest adventure in history . As 24:03.439 --> 24:05.495 exciting as that sounds . The stakes 24:05.495 --> 24:07.661 for those involved would not have been 24:07.661 --> 24:09.717 higher . Before Apollo 11 launched , 24:09.717 --> 24:11.883 Cronkite went on to say that the three 24:11.883 --> 24:13.995 men on board the Saturn five rocket , 24:14.239 --> 24:16.630 we are carrying the burdens and hopes 24:16.640 --> 24:20.310 of all mankind as we know all too well 24:20.439 --> 24:22.661 from decades of space flight and rocket 24:22.661 --> 24:24.439 launches the march in between a 24:24.439 --> 24:26.959 successful mission and a disaster is 24:26.969 --> 24:30.479 razor thin . The Apollo 11 launch 24:30.489 --> 24:32.600 occurred a little more than two years 24:32.600 --> 24:34.600 after the Apollo one rehearsal test 24:34.619 --> 24:37.380 tragedy that claimed the lives of three 24:37.390 --> 24:39.729 astronauts . Despite the known and 24:39.739 --> 24:42.280 unknown dangers of Apollo 11 moon 24:42.290 --> 24:45.089 mission , Buzz Neil Armstrong and 24:45.099 --> 24:47.810 Michael Collins bravely performed their 24:47.819 --> 24:50.910 duties to perfection in many chapters 24:50.920 --> 24:53.310 of human history that have passed and 24:53.319 --> 24:55.790 hopefully infinite number to come . 24:56.050 --> 24:58.106 Buzz will always be one of the first 24:58.106 --> 25:00.328 two people to ever leave this world and 25:00.328 --> 25:02.839 land on another . For more than an hour 25:02.849 --> 25:05.500 and a half , he walked on the moon and 25:05.510 --> 25:08.699 explored what he called the magnificent 25:09.020 --> 25:12.739 desolation of the moon . After nearly 25:12.750 --> 25:15.829 24 hours on the moon , Buzz and Neel 25:15.839 --> 25:18.479 departed left behind was the iconic 25:18.489 --> 25:21.750 American flag , but also a plaque that 25:21.760 --> 25:24.729 read , we came in peace for all mankind . 25:25.709 --> 25:27.820 After returning to earth , the Apollo 25:27.820 --> 25:29.987 11 astronauts embarked on a world tour 25:30.119 --> 25:32.286 Commemorating their epic achievement . 25:32.880 --> 25:34.824 At its conclusion , the astronauts 25:34.824 --> 25:36.713 noted that during their visits to 25:36.713 --> 25:38.824 foreign countries , people frequently 25:38.824 --> 25:41.750 explained . We did it . Few endeavors 25:41.760 --> 25:43.930 have unified the globe like the Apollo 25:43.979 --> 25:47.579 11 . The impact of the mission on the 25:47.589 --> 25:49.729 course of human history is impossible 25:49.739 --> 25:52.079 to calculate . As are the invaluable 25:52.089 --> 25:54.439 contributions buzz made to ensure its 25:54.449 --> 25:57.449 success . America's leadership in space 25:57.459 --> 25:59.920 is a direct driver of scientific , 26:00.319 --> 26:03.839 economic , diplomatic and national 26:03.849 --> 26:06.930 security advancements . Buzz has 26:07.150 --> 26:09.317 rightfully been awarded a long list of 26:09.317 --> 26:10.983 awards and honors through his 26:10.983 --> 26:13.469 remarkable life including the 26:13.479 --> 26:15.489 Presidential Medal of Freedom , the 26:15.500 --> 26:18.050 Collier Trophy , and the Hubbard medal . 26:18.270 --> 26:20.492 Today , we are here today to once again 26:20.492 --> 26:23.069 celebrate a man who pushed us further 26:23.609 --> 26:26.160 than we ever had gone before . Buzz 26:26.170 --> 26:29.079 planted his feet on a new frontier and 26:29.089 --> 26:32.569 laid his eyes on new horizons . Despite 26:32.579 --> 26:34.635 hanging up his space suit . Buzz has 26:34.635 --> 26:36.468 continued to serve as a tireless 26:36.468 --> 26:38.849 advocate for human space exploration . 26:39.449 --> 26:41.250 He has called himself a global 26:41.260 --> 26:44.390 statesman for space while we have seen 26:44.400 --> 26:46.511 tremendous growth in the capabilities 26:46.511 --> 26:48.400 of commercial space companies and 26:48.400 --> 26:50.459 promising start to nasa's Artemis 26:50.469 --> 26:53.319 program . The fact remains that it's 26:53.329 --> 26:55.770 been half a century since man last 26:55.780 --> 26:58.219 walked on the moon . Of course , if you 26:58.229 --> 27:00.396 know , dreamers like buzz , you know , 27:00.396 --> 27:02.507 they are thinking beyond the moon and 27:02.507 --> 27:04.507 when that day comes and it may come 27:04.507 --> 27:06.750 sooner than you may think people will 27:06.760 --> 27:08.593 call upon the next generation of 27:08.593 --> 27:11.089 explorers as those courageous men and 27:11.099 --> 27:13.479 women prepare to blaze a path toward 27:13.489 --> 27:17.119 great unknown . I have no doubt that 27:17.130 --> 27:19.297 they will look to find inspiration and 27:19.297 --> 27:21.463 confidence in the examples set by soon 27:21.463 --> 27:25.150 to be General Buzz Aldrin . 27:25.390 --> 27:26.099 Thank you . 27:40.709 --> 27:43.390 Thank you , Congressman Calbert . Our 27:43.469 --> 27:45.780 next speaker has a distinguished 35 27:45.790 --> 27:48.160 year military career and extensive 27:48.170 --> 27:50.619 expertise in the field of aeronautics 27:50.630 --> 27:52.780 and astronautics . Please welcome 27:52.829 --> 27:54.500 General Lester Lyles . 28:01.119 --> 28:03.969 Good afternoon , everybody . Secretary 28:03.979 --> 28:05.590 Kendall Congressman Calver , 28:05.590 --> 28:07.989 Congressman Garcia , distinguished 28:08.000 --> 28:11.459 guests and especially the Buzz A and 28:11.469 --> 28:14.869 the family . It's an honor to be out 28:14.880 --> 28:17.102 here . Buzz . Thank you for inviting me 28:17.102 --> 28:19.158 and asking me to participate in this 28:19.158 --> 28:21.060 ceremony . Uh This is as General 28:21.219 --> 28:23.441 Gatland mentioned . This is like coming 28:23.441 --> 28:25.290 home from me , I've had three 28:25.300 --> 28:28.680 assignments out here in Los Angeles and 28:28.689 --> 28:30.745 all of them to some extent have been 28:30.745 --> 28:33.689 inspired , completely inspired by Buzz 28:33.699 --> 28:36.140 Aldrin . My first assignment was as a 28:36.150 --> 28:39.060 second lieutenant rocket engineer here 28:39.069 --> 28:41.069 in Los Angeles . We were across the 28:41.069 --> 28:43.180 street at that time and the name was 28:43.189 --> 28:45.133 not Space Systems command . It was 28:45.133 --> 28:47.369 Samsung Space and Missile Systems 28:47.380 --> 28:49.579 Organization . Now , I dare say I can 28:49.589 --> 28:51.645 look at it in the audience and maybe 28:51.645 --> 28:53.867 two or three people may remember that . 28:53.867 --> 28:56.069 But I was inspired in 1969 especially 28:56.400 --> 28:58.622 after getting here because it was after 28:58.622 --> 29:01.109 that , the summer of 69 that Buzz 29:01.170 --> 29:03.392 Aldrin and Neil Armstrong landed on the 29:03.392 --> 29:05.660 moon . And I can't tell you how much 29:05.670 --> 29:08.290 that inspired me and inspired everybody 29:08.300 --> 29:10.078 who's associated with space and 29:10.078 --> 29:12.244 particularly everybody out here in Los 29:12.244 --> 29:14.467 Angeles , both civilians and military . 29:15.319 --> 29:17.969 My second assignment was as a colonel 29:18.020 --> 29:20.180 running the space launch recovery 29:20.189 --> 29:23.410 program after the UN , the fateful and 29:23.420 --> 29:25.900 tragic challenger accident . We're 29:25.910 --> 29:28.077 responsible for developing all the new 29:28.077 --> 29:31.430 family of launch vehicles . Atlas Delta 29:31.439 --> 29:33.089 Titan , you name it . We are 29:33.099 --> 29:35.266 responsible for that . And even though 29:35.266 --> 29:37.432 Buzz didn't have a direct hand in that 29:37.432 --> 29:39.680 the fact that a challenger , we lost 29:39.689 --> 29:42.579 seven astronauts , the astronaut name 29:42.589 --> 29:44.756 and the name of Buzz Zin was on all of 29:44.756 --> 29:46.756 our minds as we look to develop the 29:46.756 --> 29:48.922 next family of launch vehicles for the 29:48.922 --> 29:51.089 United States Air Force , NASA and for 29:51.089 --> 29:53.311 the world . And my third assignment was 29:53.311 --> 29:55.256 here as a commander , General Gule 29:55.256 --> 29:57.439 mentioned as a three star running this 29:57.449 --> 30:00.489 wonderful organization . And I dare say 30:00.500 --> 30:03.280 again , Buzz Algen inspired me like 30:03.290 --> 30:05.346 General Gule like others . I had the 30:05.346 --> 30:07.457 opportunity to interface with Buzz on 30:07.457 --> 30:09.512 numerous occasions to talk to him on 30:09.512 --> 30:11.568 numerous occasions . And anybody who 30:11.568 --> 30:13.734 knows who's been involved in the space 30:13.734 --> 30:15.846 world . When you talk to Buzz Algen , 30:15.846 --> 30:17.790 you mostly listen because he's the 30:17.790 --> 30:19.846 world's expert on literally anything 30:19.846 --> 30:21.679 associated with launch and space 30:21.679 --> 30:23.969 activities . The last few years , I've 30:23.979 --> 30:26.201 been blessed to have the opportunity to 30:26.201 --> 30:28.090 be a member of the National Space 30:28.090 --> 30:30.257 Council's user advisor group under the 30:30.257 --> 30:32.423 leadership , great leadership of a Jim 30:32.423 --> 30:34.729 Ellis who's here in the audience . Jim 30:34.739 --> 30:37.880 and a group of 29 of us were chosen by 30:37.989 --> 30:40.560 the previous administration to be the 30:40.569 --> 30:42.564 steward if you will in wards and 30:42.574 --> 30:44.964 support for space and all the different 30:44.974 --> 30:47.204 users involved . And we were blessed 30:47.214 --> 30:49.325 amongst all of us who had a chance to 30:49.325 --> 30:51.505 be part of that family to have several 30:51.515 --> 30:53.535 astronauts , but two really stellar 30:53.545 --> 30:56.155 astronauts Harrison Smith and of course , 30:56.165 --> 30:58.555 Buzz Aldrin and every one of us looked 30:58.564 --> 31:00.819 up to the two of them to show , you 31:00.829 --> 31:03.310 mentioned the coms and inspiration to 31:03.319 --> 31:05.989 show you how much buzz inspired all of 31:06.000 --> 31:08.319 us as Jim Ellis does . One of the key 31:08.329 --> 31:10.739 things we had as our task was to 31:10.750 --> 31:13.229 evaluate the architecture and nasa's 31:13.239 --> 31:15.461 architecture for going back to the moon 31:15.461 --> 31:17.739 and eventually preparing to go to Mars . 31:17.739 --> 31:19.850 And we all know that today is the art 31:19.850 --> 31:21.961 program . But even before that name , 31:21.961 --> 31:23.572 our task was to examine that 31:23.572 --> 31:25.795 architecture and who do we turn to , to 31:25.795 --> 31:27.961 make sure we got it right . We turn to 31:28.390 --> 31:30.869 in numerous meetings with NASA amongst 31:30.880 --> 31:33.500 ourselves and certainly as Jim knows 31:33.510 --> 31:35.859 numerous phone calls from buzz to Jim . 31:36.119 --> 31:38.270 Buzz to me , buzz to the NASA 31:38.280 --> 31:40.819 leadership . We all looked at and 31:40.829 --> 31:43.119 evaluated what it took to go back to 31:43.130 --> 31:44.797 the moon and was it the right 31:44.797 --> 31:46.797 architecture ? I would never forget 31:46.797 --> 31:49.109 that fateful day where a group of us 31:49.119 --> 31:51.119 were in the conference room in NASA 31:51.119 --> 31:53.230 headquarters . Jim Brite was the NASA 31:53.230 --> 31:55.452 administrator at the time . I was there 31:55.452 --> 31:57.619 several leaders and CEO S of the major 31:57.619 --> 31:59.563 aerospace companies were there but 31:59.563 --> 32:01.675 couldn't be there . But he was on the 32:01.675 --> 32:03.786 line virtually . And we spent a whole 32:03.786 --> 32:05.841 day walking through the architecture 32:05.841 --> 32:07.897 with the NASA architecture leaders . 32:07.897 --> 32:10.630 And to us , victory , victory was at 32:10.640 --> 32:12.819 the end of that day , I asked Buzz , 32:12.829 --> 32:14.829 what do you think ? And he said , I 32:14.829 --> 32:17.239 agree , that's all we needed . We have 32:17.479 --> 32:19.590 our program and it was because of the 32:19.590 --> 32:22.290 great concurrence and support from Buzz 32:22.300 --> 32:24.530 Alter . So he's been an inspiration in 32:24.540 --> 32:26.762 everything I think all of you recognize 32:26.762 --> 32:30.510 that I 32:30.589 --> 32:33.359 dare say just one advice to a and to 32:33.369 --> 32:35.536 the family . You may have noticed that 32:35.959 --> 32:38.989 when the hit tables , hit tables . The 32:39.000 --> 32:41.167 audience , the leaders came up here on 32:41.167 --> 32:43.056 the stage . They were preceded by 32:43.056 --> 32:45.709 ruffles and flourishes and then another 32:46.630 --> 32:48.890 encore after that . What usually 32:48.900 --> 32:51.030 follows that is the general's March . 32:51.040 --> 32:53.800 People are used to the , to the chief 32:53.810 --> 32:55.754 after ruffles and flourishes . But 32:55.754 --> 32:57.977 there's also a general's March . That's 32:58.089 --> 33:00.200 when you come into a major ceremony . 33:00.200 --> 33:02.533 General gut knows that very , very well . 33:02.533 --> 33:04.700 Uh Secretary Kendall knows that very , 33:04.700 --> 33:06.880 very well . Buzz . I will whisper to 33:06.890 --> 33:09.250 you very openly here . I don't know if 33:09.260 --> 33:11.482 you have success with Anka . I've tried 33:11.482 --> 33:13.427 to get my wife to play Ruffles and 33:13.427 --> 33:15.649 Flourishes and the Journals March every 33:15.649 --> 33:17.871 time I come into the house and I've yet 33:17.871 --> 33:20.038 to get that accomplished . So a just a 33:20.038 --> 33:22.038 hint , you never know she wa a hand 33:22.038 --> 33:24.149 that might be good . There's at least 33:24.150 --> 33:26.640 one hand clap back there . Well , uh I 33:26.989 --> 33:29.211 just want to thank all of you again for 33:29.211 --> 33:30.989 being here for this wonderful , 33:30.989 --> 33:33.211 wonderful ceremony and honor and buzz . 33:33.211 --> 33:35.211 Thank you again for all that you've 33:35.211 --> 33:36.989 done for not just me and others 33:36.989 --> 33:39.100 involved in the space community , but 33:39.100 --> 33:41.322 for the world . And I dare say a lot of 33:41.322 --> 33:43.433 people don't know . I did not do this 33:43.433 --> 33:45.545 during the national anthem , but some 33:45.545 --> 33:47.600 of you know that in 2008 , President 33:47.600 --> 33:50.244 George W Bush signed a proclamation as 33:50.255 --> 33:51.866 part of the National Defense 33:51.866 --> 33:54.405 Authorization Act that came out in 2009 . 33:54.584 --> 33:57.905 And it authorized veterans , veterans 33:57.915 --> 34:00.625 to give a hand salute to the national 34:00.635 --> 34:02.746 anthem or on special occasions , even 34:02.746 --> 34:04.949 if they're in civilian uniform . So 34:04.959 --> 34:07.181 buzz , if you don't mind , I would love 34:07.181 --> 34:09.209 to be the first person to brigade 34:09.219 --> 34:11.163 General select because we're a few 34:11.163 --> 34:13.275 minutes ahead . General select . Buzz 34:13.340 --> 34:17.030 and say well done . God bless you . 34:17.260 --> 34:19.320 God bless aa . And thank you very , 34:19.330 --> 34:20.330 very much . 34:36.600 --> 34:39.669 Thank you , General Lyles . It's our 34:39.689 --> 34:42.250 pleasure to welcome the honorable Frank 34:42.260 --> 34:43.260 Kendall . 34:50.560 --> 34:51.530 Good afternoon . 34:54.540 --> 34:56.649 I was a bit blown away by the 34:56.659 --> 34:58.603 opportunity to come here and speak 34:58.603 --> 35:01.370 today . When the decision to promote 35:01.379 --> 35:03.520 Colonel Aldrin to General Aldrin came 35:03.530 --> 35:05.586 across my desk . It was probably the 35:05.586 --> 35:07.530 easiest decision I've made since I 35:07.530 --> 35:09.530 became Secretary of the Air Force . 35:09.530 --> 35:13.189 This is the second event which has some 35:13.199 --> 35:14.810 historic significance that I 35:14.810 --> 35:17.530 participated in . The first one was the 35:17.540 --> 35:19.540 last toast for the Dolittle Raiders 35:19.540 --> 35:22.709 last year . And I think this one 35:23.919 --> 35:26.141 top that in some ways , at least for me 35:26.141 --> 35:28.709 personally , I tend to get emotional 35:28.719 --> 35:30.775 with these things . So I'll warn you 35:30.775 --> 35:32.830 ahead of time that that may happen . 35:33.379 --> 35:35.435 Chairman Calvert , thank you so much 35:35.435 --> 35:37.379 for your leadership in making this 35:37.379 --> 35:39.601 possible Congressman Garcia . Thank you 35:39.601 --> 35:41.768 for being with us and for your support 35:41.768 --> 35:43.879 for the air and space forces . Always 35:43.879 --> 35:46.101 great to be with you . Thank you all of 35:46.101 --> 35:49.300 our guests , a the family of the Albu 35:49.370 --> 35:52.179 family , friends , airman and guardians . 35:52.189 --> 35:54.245 It's terrific to be here with all of 35:54.245 --> 35:56.467 you and all our supporters to celebrate 35:56.467 --> 35:58.467 this day . I want to give a special 35:58.467 --> 36:00.600 shout out to 14 of our international 36:00.610 --> 36:02.780 partners who are here today . The 36:02.790 --> 36:04.901 accomplishment of landing on the moon 36:04.901 --> 36:06.957 was not just for the US , it was for 36:06.957 --> 36:09.520 all mankind and our closest friends and 36:09.530 --> 36:11.752 partners are here with us today and I'd 36:11.752 --> 36:13.863 like to give them a big hand . Please 36:13.863 --> 36:12.699 do that with me . 36:22.090 --> 36:24.689 You all know the story of Buzz Albu and 36:24.699 --> 36:26.699 his accomplishments And you heard a 36:26.699 --> 36:28.810 great summary from Chairman Calvert . 36:28.820 --> 36:30.931 I'm gonna do something a little bit . 36:30.931 --> 36:32.653 Um This is where I'm gonna get 36:32.653 --> 36:34.598 emotional uh different today . I'm 36:34.598 --> 36:36.850 gonna talk about one of the thousands . 36:36.860 --> 36:39.149 No , one of the millions of people who 36:39.159 --> 36:40.881 were inspired by Buzz Aldrin's 36:40.881 --> 36:44.580 accomplishments in 1969 in 36:44.590 --> 36:47.820 July , there was a 20 year old cadet at 36:47.830 --> 36:49.941 West Point . But as you remember West 36:49.941 --> 36:52.052 Point , right ? You know , you know , 36:52.052 --> 36:55.810 his and he found a way to watch the uh 36:55.820 --> 36:57.820 landing on the moon from one of the 36:57.820 --> 36:59.820 classrooms in the hall , one of the 36:59.820 --> 37:01.987 academic rooms and on a greeny , black 37:01.987 --> 37:05.010 and white TV . He got to see us uh the 37:05.020 --> 37:07.770 first human beings on the moon that 37:07.780 --> 37:10.360 that person went on to uh graduate 37:10.370 --> 37:12.314 school . He came out here to go to 37:12.314 --> 37:15.350 Caltech , he didn't go to M I T bus uh 37:15.790 --> 37:17.568 and he got degrees in aerospace 37:17.568 --> 37:19.669 engineering . He was , he was in the 37:19.679 --> 37:21.901 army . He would have considered the Air 37:21.901 --> 37:23.679 Force but he had bad eyes so he 37:23.679 --> 37:25.909 couldn't fly , couldn't fly . Uh He 37:25.919 --> 37:27.975 went on the serve on active duty for 37:27.975 --> 37:29.808 about 10 years working mostly in 37:29.808 --> 37:31.697 research and development and then 37:31.697 --> 37:33.863 became a civil servant , still working 37:33.863 --> 37:35.975 on defense research and development . 37:35.975 --> 37:38.110 And then up in the Pentagon where we 37:38.120 --> 37:40.199 had responsibility for strategic 37:40.209 --> 37:42.929 defense programs , spent a time in 37:42.939 --> 37:45.739 industry as becoming the chief engineer 37:45.750 --> 37:48.500 of a major aerospace company . And then 37:48.510 --> 37:50.232 back in the government and the 37:50.232 --> 37:53.219 Secretary of Defense's staff and then 37:53.229 --> 37:55.285 out of the industry again . And then 37:55.285 --> 37:57.396 back in today , he's the Secretary of 37:57.396 --> 37:59.899 the Air Force and he's gonna promote 37:59.909 --> 38:02.076 Buzz Auburn to General Officer today . 38:02.590 --> 38:04.757 And that's a pretty big deal for him . 38:04.879 --> 38:07.370 But the story doesn't stop there . This 38:07.379 --> 38:09.212 is a story that cuts across many 38:09.212 --> 38:11.570 generations . Uh We have some of them 38:11.580 --> 38:14.439 represented here from the family . My 38:14.449 --> 38:16.338 eight year old son is going to be 38:16.338 --> 38:18.338 watching today and he's going to be 38:18.338 --> 38:20.505 proud of what his father is getting to 38:20.505 --> 38:22.580 do , but especially proud of the 38:22.590 --> 38:24.701 accomplishments of the man that we're 38:24.701 --> 38:26.923 going to recognize and promote today to 38:26.923 --> 38:28.979 brigadier general in my home . There 38:28.979 --> 38:32.120 are two newspaper front pages hung on 38:32.129 --> 38:35.899 the wall in frames . One of them is 38:35.909 --> 38:37.853 from the wall coming down from the 38:37.853 --> 38:41.000 Soviet Union film . The other , the New 38:41.010 --> 38:43.239 York Times front page when we landed on 38:43.250 --> 38:45.250 the moon . And I'm going to look at 38:45.250 --> 38:47.250 that a little bit differently after 38:47.250 --> 38:49.472 today . And it's going to mean a little 38:49.472 --> 38:51.583 bit more to me . So thank you for the 38:51.583 --> 38:53.750 opportunity to do this and to meet you 38:53.750 --> 38:55.972 and to recognize your accomplishments . 38:56.600 --> 38:58.544 I think we're going to promote the 38:58.544 --> 39:00.600 General and I'm going to be the last 39:00.600 --> 39:00.290 person who gets a call , Colonel , 39:00.489 --> 39:02.510 Colonel Aldrin and the first one to 39:02.520 --> 39:04.520 call him General Aldrin . Could you 39:04.520 --> 39:05.520 join ? 39:15.250 --> 39:17.028 Thank you , Secretary Kendall . 39:20.090 --> 39:22.312 Ladies and gentlemen , please stand for 39:22.312 --> 39:23.923 the reading of the promotion 39:23.923 --> 39:23.439 certificate 39:33.979 --> 39:36.090 to all who shall see these presents . 39:36.239 --> 39:38.295 Greeting . This is to certify that . 39:38.295 --> 39:40.406 Buzz Aldrin Colonel United States Air 39:40.406 --> 39:42.572 Force retired is honorably promoted to 39:42.572 --> 39:44.628 the great of Brigadier General . The 39:44.628 --> 39:46.739 United States Air Force effective the 39:46.739 --> 39:48.795 seven th of April 2023 . By order of 39:48.795 --> 39:50.628 the Secretary of the Air Force . 40:03.479 --> 40:05.812 Ladies and gentlemen , please be seated . 40:10.739 --> 40:12.530 We now invite Brigadier General 40:12.540 --> 40:15.300 Aldrin's wife , aka his sons , Andrew 40:15.310 --> 40:17.590 and James Michael and daughter Janice 40:17.600 --> 40:19.544 to pin the new rank on his service 40:19.544 --> 40:19.350 dress . 40:33.909 --> 40:34.909 I see . 40:42.760 --> 40:43.760 Yes , 40:53.949 --> 40:54.949 love . 41:09.580 --> 41:11.636 The star is the oldest , continually 41:11.636 --> 41:13.969 used rank in the United States military . 41:14.050 --> 41:16.161 The use of the star is to signify the 41:16.161 --> 41:18.217 rank of a general officer and can be 41:18.217 --> 41:21.159 traced to a June 17 80 decree by George 41:21.169 --> 41:23.330 Washington during the War of American 41:23.340 --> 41:26.110 independence . It is believed that 41:26.120 --> 41:28.287 General Washington chose the star as a 41:28.287 --> 41:30.509 symbol of General officer rank in honor 41:30.509 --> 41:32.398 of its use in allied French armed 41:32.398 --> 41:34.550 forces . It is customary for family 41:34.560 --> 41:36.782 members or close friends to participate 41:36.782 --> 41:38.838 in the penning ceremony to recognize 41:38.838 --> 41:40.838 their contributions to the promotes 41:41.040 --> 41:43.318 success in achieving their higher rank . 43:31.879 --> 43:33.712 Let's give it up one more time . 43:50.610 --> 43:52.666 We now invite General Aldrin's great 43:52.666 --> 43:56.270 grandsons Nathaniel Benjamin Archie and 43:56.280 --> 43:59.139 Aa's granddaughters mccay and Kaya for 43:59.149 --> 44:00.149 a family photo . 44:36.129 --> 44:38.189 Thank you the 45:02.469 --> 45:03.469 Yeah . 45:08.290 --> 45:09.290 Yeah . 45:31.149 --> 45:32.149 Right . 46:10.129 --> 46:11.129 Thank you 46:21.080 --> 46:24.669 to the office . Yeah . 46:50.739 --> 46:51.739 Yeah . 46:55.040 --> 46:58.100 Those tools , you know the . Yes . 47:02.840 --> 47:06.629 Mhm . Yes . Lieutenant 47:06.639 --> 47:08.709 General Gule will now administer the 47:08.719 --> 47:10.886 reaffirmation of the oath of office to 47:10.886 --> 47:13.850 Brigadier General Aldrin . So 47:39.699 --> 47:40.699 yes , 49:21.370 --> 49:23.659 yeah , please not . 49:57.169 --> 49:59.502 Ladies and gentlemen , please be seated . 50:01.340 --> 50:05.139 Yes . At this time , 50:05.149 --> 50:07.371 Chief Master Sergeant Frasier and Chief 50:07.371 --> 50:09.593 Mas Sergeant Morgan will now unfurl and 50:09.593 --> 50:11.816 present Brigade General Aldrin with his 50:11.816 --> 50:12.816 personal colors . 50:55.719 --> 50:57.608 United States Congress authorizes 50:57.608 --> 50:59.775 General officers to display individual 50:59.775 --> 51:02.000 flags , depicting their rank . These 51:02.010 --> 51:04.066 flags can be displayed at ceremonies 51:04.066 --> 51:05.843 when the general officer who it 51:05.843 --> 51:07.620 represents is officiating or 51:07.629 --> 51:09.240 participating in the event . 51:36.939 --> 51:39.106 Chief Master Sergeant Frazier will now 51:39.106 --> 51:40.828 post the general officers flag 52:31.959 --> 52:34.015 at this time . General Gule will now 52:34.015 --> 52:35.737 come forward to make a special 52:35.737 --> 52:35.439 presentation . 52:43.820 --> 52:45.764 Ladies and gentlemen , before buzz 52:45.764 --> 52:48.149 speaks , I have something else to share . 52:48.159 --> 52:50.159 That's kind of exciting with you on 52:50.159 --> 52:52.492 behalf of the Chief of Space Operations , 52:52.492 --> 52:54.659 General Chan Saltzman , in addition to 52:54.659 --> 52:56.800 being promoted to the one starting 52:56.810 --> 52:58.977 United States Air Force General Aldrin 52:58.977 --> 53:01.032 is also being made an honorary Space 53:01.040 --> 53:03.419 Force guardian . As I mentioned earlier 53:03.429 --> 53:03.929 today , 53:14.429 --> 53:16.840 Aldrin lived a life epitomizing the 53:16.850 --> 53:18.683 Space Force Guardian's values of 53:18.683 --> 53:20.906 character , connection , commitment and 53:20.906 --> 53:22.961 courage . He helped to set the stage 53:22.961 --> 53:25.183 for the eventual stand up of the United 53:25.183 --> 53:27.294 States Space Force . I can safely say 53:27.294 --> 53:29.517 sir , you are one of the first , if not 53:29.517 --> 53:32.000 the first guardian . Thank you again . 53:32.010 --> 53:34.121 Brigadier General Altern . Ladies and 53:34.121 --> 53:36.232 gentlemen , please join me in a round 53:36.232 --> 53:36.149 of applause for General Aldrin . 54:10.350 --> 54:14.080 Thank you , General Gula . Ladies and 54:14.090 --> 54:16.146 gentlemen , it is our great honor to 54:16.146 --> 54:18.479 introduce Brigadier General Buzz Aldrin . 55:03.760 --> 55:04.760 So , 55:08.080 --> 55:09.080 yeah , 55:29.020 --> 55:30.709 this is , thank you . Bye . 55:44.370 --> 55:45.370 Yeah , 56:03.459 --> 56:04.792 that's a good new job . 56:11.879 --> 56:15.600 The most ancient records of 56:15.610 --> 56:19.330 history show that humanity has 56:19.340 --> 56:22.989 gazed into the heavens and 56:23.000 --> 56:24.620 has been moved 56:26.820 --> 56:30.590 as was the author of the eighth 56:30.600 --> 56:34.399 psalm A which 56:34.409 --> 56:37.610 might Neil and I 56:37.620 --> 56:41.590 deposited on the move and 56:41.600 --> 56:44.750 which I broadcast upon our 56:44.760 --> 56:48.699 return , the sums 56:50.750 --> 56:53.419 was moved to proclaim 56:55.479 --> 56:59.320 when I consider the heavens , 57:00.010 --> 57:03.590 the work of thy fingers , the 57:03.600 --> 57:07.459 moon and the stars which thou 57:07.659 --> 57:09.510 has ordained . 57:11.399 --> 57:14.409 What is man that thou are 57:14.419 --> 57:16.330 mindful of him 57:18.889 --> 57:21.969 then from Copernicus to 57:21.979 --> 57:25.459 Galileo and all who 57:25.469 --> 57:29.260 turned their eyes to the 57:29.270 --> 57:32.469 sky suffused 57:32.979 --> 57:34.969 with a sense of awe . 57:37.260 --> 57:40.939 Let us hear the names of 57:40.949 --> 57:43.379 Hubble and web . 57:46.790 --> 57:50.649 What an era we are 57:50.659 --> 57:53.290 privileged to live in 57:55.649 --> 57:59.199 those pesky bicycle 57:59.209 --> 58:02.510 mechanics or , and we 58:04.889 --> 58:07.979 invented heavier than air 58:09.050 --> 58:12.979 flight in my own 58:12.989 --> 58:16.340 mother's and father's 58:16.350 --> 58:17.540 lifetime , 58:25.129 --> 58:29.010 in my own lifetime . Men and 58:29.020 --> 58:32.959 soon women have gone to the 58:32.969 --> 58:36.540 moon and returned safely . 58:40.229 --> 58:44.060 I know because I've been one of them 58:45.550 --> 58:46.560 after the 58:50.199 --> 58:53.919 beeping of Sputnik , we've 58:53.929 --> 58:57.570 sent probes to the outer planets 58:58.699 --> 59:02.189 and flew past the edge 59:02.330 --> 59:04.830 of our solar system . 59:06.510 --> 59:10.129 Billions and billions of miles 59:10.139 --> 59:10.959 away . 59:14.040 --> 59:17.899 I was bored in 59:17.909 --> 59:21.780 1930 . It 59:21.790 --> 59:24.169 has been an epic era . 59:27.629 --> 59:29.639 May that continue 59:31.709 --> 59:35.020 now ? Spoiler 59:35.030 --> 59:38.149 alert . Let me at 59:38.159 --> 59:40.100 long last 59:41.459 --> 59:45.399 confess to just one of 59:45.409 --> 59:47.300 my epic 59:49.770 --> 59:51.919 character flaws . 59:54.179 --> 59:57.550 I was not a patient 59:57.560 --> 01:00:01.320 child . I had to wait 01:00:01.330 --> 01:00:05.290 two learned years in my crib 01:00:06.399 --> 01:00:09.750 before my father , Edwin Aldrin 01:00:10.530 --> 01:00:14.179 took me on my first airplane ride 01:00:15.020 --> 01:00:18.949 around Newark airport , New Jersey . 01:00:23.159 --> 01:00:25.389 I had to wait 01:00:25.820 --> 01:00:29.669 impatiently for another 01:00:30.750 --> 01:00:34.669 seven years for jet 01:00:34.679 --> 01:00:38.639 propulsion to be developed . 01:00:39.929 --> 01:00:43.560 Then I impatiently waited 01:00:43.570 --> 01:00:47.530 for yet another eight years 01:00:48.090 --> 01:00:51.889 for Chuck Yeager to break 01:00:51.899 --> 01:00:53.370 the sound barrier . 01:00:55.449 --> 01:00:59.080 I impatiently waited to get 01:00:59.090 --> 01:01:02.330 into , then graduate from 01:01:03.219 --> 01:01:06.669 the military academy at West Point 01:01:07.780 --> 01:01:11.120 and then commissioned directly 01:01:11.129 --> 01:01:14.560 into the United States Air 01:01:14.570 --> 01:01:18.060 Force where I was 01:01:18.070 --> 01:01:21.360 trained to fly 01:01:23.330 --> 01:01:26.010 solo and do it 01:01:27.149 --> 01:01:30.649 pipelines . Having to 01:01:30.659 --> 01:01:34.560 wait to fly my 01:01:34.570 --> 01:01:37.939 66 jet 01:01:37.949 --> 01:01:41.370 combat missions in 01:01:41.379 --> 01:01:44.969 Korea shooting 01:01:44.979 --> 01:01:47.989 down two 01:01:48.750 --> 01:01:51.179 M 15 aircraft . 01:01:57.350 --> 01:02:00.820 Thereafter , my patience 01:02:00.830 --> 01:02:04.310 was strained again , 01:02:04.320 --> 01:02:08.260 flying patrol missions in Cold 01:02:08.270 --> 01:02:09.469 War , Germany 01:02:12.250 --> 01:02:15.989 by and by President 01:02:16.000 --> 01:02:19.889 Kennedy found to 01:02:19.899 --> 01:02:23.780 make America the top 01:02:23.790 --> 01:02:26.100 space faring nation . 01:02:27.929 --> 01:02:30.540 I impatiently waiting 01:02:31.790 --> 01:02:34.810 for the opportunity to play a 01:02:34.820 --> 01:02:37.169 role in that 01:02:39.260 --> 01:02:42.469 I was accepted for astronaut training 01:02:42.479 --> 01:02:46.479 for project Gemini where 01:02:46.489 --> 01:02:50.479 I was teased by 01:02:50.489 --> 01:02:54.080 my comrades as an egghead 01:02:54.959 --> 01:02:58.290 for having a doctor of science 01:02:58.500 --> 01:03:01.510 degree from M I T 01:03:03.530 --> 01:03:07.030 who's training in orbital 01:03:07.040 --> 01:03:10.209 mechanics . Contributed 01:03:11.040 --> 01:03:14.709 to the architecture of the Germany 01:03:14.719 --> 01:03:17.020 and Apollo programs 01:03:20.860 --> 01:03:23.350 large objects in space . 01:03:25.409 --> 01:03:29.149 Then we landed on the 01:03:29.159 --> 01:03:32.600 moon and return safely 01:03:35.949 --> 01:03:37.129 in between 01:03:40.239 --> 01:03:43.820 later in between 01:03:44.550 --> 01:03:46.800 my sub surface 01:03:47.979 --> 01:03:51.550 down to the inspiring wreckage 01:03:52.639 --> 01:03:56.560 of the Titanic trekking 01:03:56.570 --> 01:03:59.659 to the North pole and the South pole . 01:04:01.139 --> 01:04:04.590 And many more explorations . 01:04:06.560 --> 01:04:10.520 I reserve most of my 01:04:10.530 --> 01:04:13.290 impatience for 01:04:14.159 --> 01:04:17.830 restoring to sending astronauts 01:04:18.300 --> 01:04:20.929 beyond low earth orbit 01:04:22.360 --> 01:04:26.080 back to the further reaches of 01:04:26.090 --> 01:04:29.939 deep space . For 01:04:29.949 --> 01:04:30.840 example , 01:04:34.209 --> 01:04:38.100 peering the giant General 01:04:38.110 --> 01:04:39.550 Lester Lyles 01:04:50.760 --> 01:04:54.719 while we were serving on the National 01:04:54.729 --> 01:04:58.649 Space Council's user advisory group 01:05:00.010 --> 01:05:03.899 under the previous administration , 01:05:05.580 --> 01:05:09.110 reprising my deep space 01:05:09.120 --> 01:05:13.010 advocacies as the keynote 01:05:13.020 --> 01:05:16.620 speaker for the first be 01:05:17.810 --> 01:05:21.629 of this administration's National 01:05:21.639 --> 01:05:23.659 Space Council 01:05:27.909 --> 01:05:31.229 Houston message 01:05:31.270 --> 01:05:34.070 from Trail base . 01:05:35.909 --> 01:05:39.760 The eagles had landed on my shoulders 01:05:40.330 --> 01:05:43.879 long ago are now 01:05:43.889 --> 01:05:46.879 replaced by stars . 01:05:48.729 --> 01:05:51.500 I am deeply honored here today , 01:05:57.350 --> 01:05:59.909 I am deeply honored here today . 01:06:00.550 --> 01:06:03.360 Grateful for the championship 01:06:05.229 --> 01:06:08.550 of Representative Ken Go 01:06:10.189 --> 01:06:12.919 and Air Force Secretary Frank . 01:06:14.620 --> 01:06:16.330 Hi among others . 01:06:24.209 --> 01:06:27.909 For what I most wish to 01:06:27.919 --> 01:06:31.459 say is that it 01:06:31.469 --> 01:06:35.209 is thrilling that I am 01:06:35.219 --> 01:06:38.040 still here to see NASA 01:06:39.070 --> 01:06:42.429 sending brave astronauts to c 01:06:43.320 --> 01:06:47.040 to navigate the moon next year 01:06:49.729 --> 01:06:53.729 and then astronauts soon 01:06:53.739 --> 01:06:55.050 thereafter . 01:06:58.379 --> 01:07:02.209 Now that's space exploration , 01:07:04.139 --> 01:07:07.909 I intend to impatiently 01:07:08.610 --> 01:07:12.550 passenger Elon Musk a 01:07:12.560 --> 01:07:16.479 lot harder so that he and 01:07:16.489 --> 01:07:20.199 I will be waiting there on the moon 01:07:20.979 --> 01:07:24.229 to greet the NASA astronauts 01:07:25.199 --> 01:07:26.629 when they land 01:07:36.709 --> 01:07:40.649 enough of this and 01:07:40.659 --> 01:07:44.550 wavy . It 01:07:44.560 --> 01:07:48.290 is my fondest hope that you 01:07:48.300 --> 01:07:51.719 hear and all 01:07:51.729 --> 01:07:54.739 who my voice reaches 01:07:55.739 --> 01:07:58.719 will join me my dear 01:07:59.570 --> 01:08:03.060 uncle , my sons , 01:08:04.590 --> 01:08:05.439 daughter , 01:08:07.790 --> 01:08:08.989 grandson , 01:08:12.669 --> 01:08:15.280 and three great grandsons , 01:08:20.910 --> 01:08:24.319 adding your own impatient and 01:08:24.359 --> 01:08:28.129 machine to the epic story 01:08:29.759 --> 01:08:32.930 of deep space exploration 01:08:34.109 --> 01:08:38.020 that I so briefly recounted to you 01:08:38.259 --> 01:08:39.419 here . Today 01:08:42.559 --> 01:08:45.048 we return to the moon 01:08:47.660 --> 01:08:50.770 as a step to sending 01:08:50.779 --> 01:08:54.200 astronauts to Mars 01:08:54.640 --> 01:08:58.149 two other planets and the good 01:08:58.160 --> 01:09:01.759 Lord willing to 01:09:01.770 --> 01:09:05.700 colonize the exo plant circling 01:09:06.000 --> 01:09:07.879 the bar stars , 01:09:09.649 --> 01:09:13.520 let the stars now placed on 01:09:13.529 --> 01:09:16.879 my shoulders . Help inspire 01:09:17.629 --> 01:09:20.040 humanities . is achieving 01:09:21.390 --> 01:09:23.279 it's true 01:09:24.849 --> 01:09:28.219 destiny galactic 01:09:28.229 --> 01:09:29.889 colonization 01:09:31.279 --> 01:09:35.009 starting the bars way . 01:09:38.329 --> 01:09:42.179 God bless the United States Air Force , 01:09:42.839 --> 01:09:46.750 NASA and the US Space 01:09:46.759 --> 01:09:50.668 Force . Thank God bless I 01:09:50.679 --> 01:09:51.639 better . God . 01:10:19.759 --> 01:10:22.049 At this time , Brigadier General Aldrin 01:10:22.169 --> 01:10:24.058 would like to present Anka with a 01:10:24.058 --> 01:10:26.113 bouquet of flowers as a token of his 01:10:26.113 --> 01:10:28.336 appreciation for her love and support . 01:10:30.919 --> 01:10:31.370 Mm 01:10:44.959 --> 01:10:45.959 Said , 01:11:11.700 --> 01:11:12.700 yeah , 01:11:24.270 --> 01:11:25.437 thank you General Al 01:11:33.350 --> 01:11:33.839 hm . 01:11:43.549 --> 01:11:45.899 Ladies and gentlemen , please stand for 01:11:45.910 --> 01:11:48.077 the playing of the Air Force and Space 01:11:48.077 --> 01:11:50.649 Force songs . Mm 01:13:17.750 --> 01:13:19.990 This concludes today's ceremony , bri 01:13:20.169 --> 01:13:22.370 General and Doctor Alder , invite 01:13:22.379 --> 01:13:24.323 friends , family and distinguished 01:13:24.323 --> 01:13:26.046 guests to proceed to a private 01:13:26.046 --> 01:13:28.330 reception . Thank you for attending and 01:13:28.339 --> 01:13:29.240 have a wonderful day .