Who knew?  There's actually an "extraterrestrial abduction day".. and it is TODAY, March 20!

When I heard the news my first thought was, "says who?" Or should that be "whom"?. Anyway, after lots of digging it's clear: no one knows when, where, how or why this celebration began.

A couple of years ago a group of creative-types in Toronto, Canada decided to do it up big. They created posters and flyers, then invited thousands of people to converge downtown to enjoy extraterrestrial arts and crafts, fun foods, "and other spacey strangeness." I'd really like to know how successful their festival was, but they never posted any photos and despite calling it an annual event, they never did it again. Maybe that's my answer.


I have made no secret of my burning yearning for an alien abduction experience. What better way to advance the phenomenon than for "them" to take a skeptical-minded television reporter aboard their craft? Just let me grab my camera first!  There are those, however, who will say alien abductions are not something to be desired, much less celebrated. Count Travis Walton among that group.


Walton is arguably the world's best known abductee. Most of you know the story, so I'll just point you to his web site to read more. We here at Paranormal Matrix have spent a lot of time with the Walton family over the last six months. With four kids and eight grandkids, Travis and Dana have their hands full!  But the couple still found time last weekend to make the four-hour trip from their home to sit down in our studio.

Sitting side-by-side and holding hands, they walked us through some very specific details of his disappearance. I felt extremely honored that Dana granted us this very rare interview. Then I was humbled when the tears fell from her face. She remembers those five days in 1975 as if they were yesterday. She and Travis had known each other since she was eight years old but at this time in their lives, they were dating.


"He was a friend of the family plus he was my boyfriend," she said with a shy smile. "I was afraid he'd never come back. I actually went to the window one night and I looked up and I asked them to bring him home." Her voice began to break and the tears welled up. "And when he was returned I was so happy, because I knew how much he meant to me."

That was almost 35 years ago. Travis and Dana married soon after, and they say thankfully there have been no further encounters with extraterrestrials.

But for those like me who would welcome a ride on an alien spacecraft, today is our day. I'll be watching the sky, wondering if it's possible. But right now, I'm off to a MUFON meeting.

-Scott

For more information on UFOs and the alien experience:

See a real-time map of UFO reports.
Become a UFO investigator.
Travis Walton's web site.
Suggestions on how to celebrate UFO abduction day.
Explore abduction information.
Paranormal Matrix home page.