UFOlogist getting hometown honour for alien pursuits

Stanton Friedman, who has spent years speaking about life in other worlds, will get some hometown recognition Monday.

The City of Fredericton, where Friedman maintains his home base, has declared Monday as Stanton Friedman Day.

Friedman, a nuclear physicist, is considered one of the world's leading experts on aliens and UFOs, and has spent much of his life travelling the world, giving lectures on so-called "alien visitations."

According to his biography on his website, since 1967 he has lectured on the topic "Flying Saucers ARE Real!" at more than 600 colleges and over 100 professional groups in 50 states, nine provinces and 16 other countries.

He has published more than 80 UFO papers, and appeared on hundreds of radio and TV programs.

Friedman believes some UFOs are alien spacecraft, and the subject of flying saucers has been covered up by the government, representing a "Cosmic Watergate."

Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside said Friedman is being honoured not only because of his tireless efforts in spreading the word about UFOs, but also because of his enthusiastic promotion of the city.

"Stanton has lived here for 27 years," Woodside said.

"He's not only a nuclear physicist, but also a world-renowned UFOlogist. In just the past few months, he has appeared on Larry King Live, Fox News Live, and he appeared on CBS Sunday Morning. He could live anywhere in the world but he has chosen to live in Fredericton.…We believe it is worth celebrating his celebrity."