Mt. Juliet, Tennessee Honors NASA Astronaut Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore After Extended Space Mission

The town of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, is celebrating its hometown hero, NASA astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore, with a roadway dedication and upcoming community event. This comes after Wilmore's recent return to Earth following an unexpectedly long mission aboard the International Space Station.

A portion of North Mt. Juliet Road has been officially renamed Barry Wilmore Way, stretching from Lebanon Road to a future Sprouts store near the Mt. Juliet Church of Christ. New signs are already in place to commemorate the astronaut’s achievements.

Wilmore, a 1981 graduate of Mt. Juliet High School, spent over nine months in space, far exceeding the initial estimation of one to two weeks. He and astronaut Sunita Williams served as the first human crew for the Boeing Starliner spacecraft during this test flight. Technical difficulties with the Starliner resulted in an extended stay of 286 days, turning a routine mission into a remarkable test of endurance and problem-solving.

"Any town would love to have someone with his level of accomplishments," said Mt. Juliet Mayor James Maness, highlighting the city's pride in Wilmore's achievements. Wilmore's dedication extends beyond his space exploits; he is also an alumnus and trustee of Tennessee Tech University, whose General Assembly recently honored him for his contribution.

The Tennessee General Assembly also recognized Wilmore’s accomplishments with a special resolution, acknowledging his service to his alma mater as a member of the Tennessee Tech Board of Trustees since 2017.

Further celebrations are planned, with a community event scheduled for June 28th at Charlie Daniels Park at 11 a.m.. This event promises to be a heartfelt tribute to Wilmore’s contributions to space exploration and his ties to the community.

Wilmore, who currently resides near the Johnson Space Center in Houston, maintains strong ties to Middle Tennessee, considering it his home. In April, he presented a Tennessee flag, which had accompanied him throughout his ISS mission, to the General Assembly in Nashville.

With three spaceflights under his belt, Wilmore has accumulated a total of 464 days in space. His journey, from a Mt. Juliet high school graduate to a seasoned astronaut, serves as an inspiration to aspiring scientists and explorers.

The dedication of Barry Wilmore Way and the upcoming community event are just the beginning of Mt. Juliet’s recognition of Wilmore's achievements. What other ways do you think communities can celebrate individuals who push the boundaries of human exploration? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

• Barry Wilmore
• Boeing Starliner
• NASA