It's been 65 years since the first episode of the iconic TV show "The Twilight Zone," created by Rod Serling. Serling was born in Syracuse, but he claimed Binghamton as his hometown, and Binghamton embraced him right back.

Since his passing in 1975, the Rod Serling Memorial Foundation has been working to preserve his contributions to the entertainment industry. Thanks to their efforts, there is a new statue of him in Broome County.

“The biggest impact episodes were the ones that made you think afterward,” said Andrew Polak, treasurer of the Rod Serling Memorial Foundation. Polak's focus is on preserving Serling’s legacy.

“He could get points across because he could have a Martian say stuff that he couldn't have a Democrat or a Republican say because then it would never pass the censors,” said Polak.

He said Serling was against prejudice and made that the forefront of his work. Throughout Binghamton, there are reminders of the writer.

“We commemorated this bandstand in Rod's honor because of his 'Walking Distance' episode on 'The Twilight Zone,' ” said Polak. “So, when they refurbished the carousel a few years back, they added the boards, representing some of the 'Twilight Zone' episodes.

“He really loved Rec Park. That's how we decided to have the statue set here as well.”

The statue was sculpted in Utah, and Serling’s family was involved in making sure the features of the statue looked correct. Thanks in part to a $50,000 grant from the state of New York, Serling now stands in Rec Park, looking in the direction of his old neighborhood.

“Right down to the details of the watch he used to wear all the time, and his infantry bracelet from the war,” said Polak of Serling, a World War II veteran.

The base of the statue is inscribed with the quote “Everybody has to have a hometown and Binghamton's mine."