Buzz Aldrin took a little bit of Minnesota with him to the moon

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Photo credit Courtesy of Gustavus Adolphus College

So what's the connection between Aldren and the St. Peter college?

"He was invited to campus for an honorary degree in 1967 at our commencement ceremonies," said Chuck Niederriter, a professor of physics and environmental studies at Gustavus. "At that point (Aldrin) became sort of a friend of the college."

When it was determined that Aldrin would be on the Apollo 11 mission, a Gustavus administrator reached out to him.

"He decided that the college should ask if we could have Colonel Aldrin to take a pennant to the moon with him, and he agreed to do it."