Category — Disney Toy Story

A father and son miraculously survived a night in the water after being swept out to sea off the coast of Florida this week.  As if that isn’t amazing enough, the boy is autistic and largely nonverbal, and the father relied on Buzz Lightyear’s catchphrase “To infinity and beyond!” to communicate with him throughout the night as the currents carried them apart.  The boy stayed calm through the ordeal and was treading water when the Coast Guard picked him up the next morning, two hours after fishermen picked up his father a mile away.

The father was of course estatic that his son was found alive and well, and thanked everyone involved in the rescue including Buzz Lightyear, saying “Buzz Lightyear got us through.”  So, in honor of his continued service on behalf of children and toys everywhere, here is a closer look at the toy, the myth, the legend: Buzz Lightyear.

• Buzz Lightyear is currently a resident of the International Space Station, where he is part of a campaign to get kids interested in science.  Kids can check in on Buzz’s space mission and play interactive games at the NASA Kids’ Club.
• Buzz Lightyear inspired a pair of 2007 Nike Vandals Lows for kids and Nike’s SB 2008 Buzz Lightyear Backpack.
• Buzz will be returning to the big screen in 2010 in “Toy Story 3“, where he and the rest of the Toy Story crew will have to cope with life in a day care center after Andy goes to college.
• The Toy Story 10th Anniversary Edition DVD is available on DVD now, so you can relive some of Buzz’s best adventures anytime.
• Finally, since Buzz Lightyear costumes remain perennial Halloween favorites, you might want to think about picking one up for the kid in your life this year.  Buzz Lightyear to the rescue!