To Infinity and…Arkansas?
A Buzz Lightyear action figure has been reunited with his young owner after going on a secret, out-of-this world mission to Little Rock.
The adventure started when a little boy named Hagen, barely old enough to talk, accidentally left behind his best bud on a Southwest airlines flight. Hagen's family had just landed at Dallas-Love Field and were already driving away in a rental car when they realized they’d left Buzz on the plane! But it was too late.
"The flight took off from Dallas and landed in Little Rock," says Southwest Spokesperson Brandy King. "One of our agents there found the Buzz Lightyear and then began the work to reunite him with his owner."
King says Jason, a ramp agent at Clinton International Airport in Little Rock, noticed Hagen’s left-behind buddy. He must have been a "Toy Story" fan himself because Jason knew immediately to check the bottom of Mr. Lightyear’s boot, where he found Hagen’s name.
"Luckily there was only one Hagen on that flight," King says. "So he was able to get in touch with the family and get some information about how to reunite Buzz with Hagen. But not before Buzz went on a few adventures of his own."
Buzz spent some time completing a top secret mission at the airport, and while he was at it he snapped a few photos posing on the runway with planes. In one photo he can even be seen venturing into an aircraft's cockpit in true hero fashion.
Eventually Buzz made it home safely to Hagen. He arrived in a hand-decorated box filled with photos of his adventures. The box also included a special message, reading:
To Commander Hagen,
I am very excited to return to you upon completing my mission. I was able to explore the airport and spaceport in Little Rock, Arkansas while I was away and I have included photos of my adventure. My journey has taught me a lot but I am so thankful to return to my buddy.
To infinity and beyond!
Your buddy,
Buzz Lightyear
Space Ranger
Hagen and his family say they’re happy to have Buzz back and are grateful for the friendly folks who went out of their way to send the space ranger home.
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