UFO buffs still drawn to Roswell after 60 years

By Leonard Martinez / El Paso Times

Numbers can be overwhelming.

Especially when you make a living with words.

Consider this: There are at least 200 billion galaxies in the universe.

Just by going by those numbers, you have to believe life exists elsewhere.

Sixty years ago in July, the most recognizable incident of another lifeform from outer space visiting Earth allegedly occurred in the infamous Roswell incident, during which something crashed and was recovered by the military from a ranch near Roswell.

The U.S. military first said it was a flying saucer, then backtracked and said it was a weather balloon.

At any rate, the incident has had a profound effect on life on Earth even if the aliens never walked among us -- that we know of.

First, it was an incident for some that led to mistrust with the government. It spawned a healthy skepticism of the elected powers.

The other major effect the Roswell incident had was it brought the idea of space, science fiction and alien life to the forefront.

It is highly illogical to think we would have "Star Wars" or "Star Trek" if the Roswell incident didn't happen.

Roswell visit

Roswell has become the place to visit for UFO buffs.

"When I was a little kid, and I was a UFO freak I used to read about Roswell, N.M., and to me it was sort of the Mecca, the one place that I always wanted to go in my whole life," Foo Fighters singer Dave Grohl said during a 2005 Roswell concert. "I always wanted to come here and check it out."

The 2005 Foo Fighters Roswell concert happened in one of the hangars that allegedly held the wreckage of a UFO in 1947.

The 1947 Roswell incident was quite fresh on my mind on the drive back to El Paso after that Foo Fighters concert.

It was the middle of the night with a clear sky. You're mind tends to wander and think weird things at a time like that.

You start wondering if the "physical" the alien conducted on you, is considered out-of-network by your health insurer or if the alien would fall under universal health care.

Thankfully, I didn't see any flying saucers nor did I undergo a "physical" -- that I can remember.

Aliens aid economy

Even though the alleged aliens found in the crash are not paraded out at zoos, Roswell is still able to profit from the incident. The town is home to the International UFO Museum and Research Center.

The most interesting thing in the "museum" was the map that had alleged UFO sightings and I believe abductions.

Aside from the "museum," Roswell has the annual UFO Festival, which features entertainment, experts on UFOs and even balloon rides. Perhaps the balloon rides are a nod to the 1947 incident?

Considering the importance of the anniversary, I'm thinking of going to the festival this year.

Besides, it's time for my annual "physical," and for some reason I feel the need to go to the outskirts of Roswell for it.