Lynchburg astronaut returning home to have football jersey retired

By Annie McCallum
Lynchburg News & Advance
Published: August 29, 2008

Famous Hill City astronaut and Heritage High School alum Leland Melvin will be back in his hometown next week — and at the Heritage-E.C. Glass football game.

Melvin — who has several local commitments next Friday, Sept. 5 — will participate in a special halftime event at City Stadium, where his jersey will be retired. He also will narrate a piece for the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra on Sept. 6 at E.C. Glass High School.

“It means a lot to the Heritage community, what he’s accomplished,” principal Mark Miear said, adding everyone is looking forward to honoring him.

Melvin’s last trip to Lynchburg, in April, was a whirlwind of activity. He arrived at his alma mater at 7 a.m. for a brief presentation before being whisked off to a Liberty University convocation.

“Last time it was quick and not really planned by us,” Miear said. “This is more planned. It’s time to recognize him in front of the Heritage community and the city of Lynchburg; a lot of people will be at this game.”

In addition to the anticipated crowd for the game between the city’s two high schools, Melvin will be joined on the field by city and school system officials, as well as some of Melvin’s former football coaches, who will help to retire his jersey.

Melvin, a 1982 Heritage grad, spent plenty of time on the field as a Pioneer (the school’s mascot). Before skyrocketing to astronaut fame, Melvin also played football at the University of Richmond.

In February he traveled to space aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Melvin spent 13 days in space, where he operated a 58-foot robotic arm to install the Columbus laboratory on the International Space Station.

Also while in space, he brought a few trinkets to remind him of his roots in Lynchburg. One of them, a Heritage High School flag, he is expected to formally return to the high school during the halftime celebration.