After a fruitful 95 years on Earth, former United States Senator and aviation icon John Glenn passed away surrounded by family at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 73 years, Anna Margaret Castor, his two children, John David and Carolyn Ann, and two grandchildren. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery after lying in state at the Ohio Statehouse and a memorial service held at Mershon Auditorium at The Ohio State University.
Remembering an American Hero
Glenn’s name is marked in history for years to come as the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962, having circled three times. Before joining NASA, he was a fighter pilot in both Korea and World War II, and was decorated with five Distinguished Flying Crosses and eighteen clusters.
In 1964, Glenn resigned from NASA and announced his plans to run for a United States Senate seat from Ohio. As a member of the Democratic Party, he first won election to the Senate in 1974 where he served through January 3, 1999.
In commemoration of the American hero, here are some memorable quotes from John Glenn about space, his wife and life, including words that we can all live by:
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“Zero G, and I feel fine.†– During his first orbit in 1962
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“The most important thing we can do is inspire young minds.†– National Space Day in 2000
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“Love of country was a given. Defense of its ideals was an obligation. The opportunity to join in its quests and explorations was a challenge not only to fulfil a sacred duty but to join a joyous adventure.†– In his 1999 memoir.
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“I saw Annie’s perseverance and strength through the years and it just made me admire her and love her even more.†– About his wife’s stutter
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“To sit back and let fate play its hand out and never influence it is not the way man was meant to operate.â€
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If there is one thing I’ve learnt in my years on this planet, it’s that the happiest and most fulfilled people I’ve known are those who devoted themselves to something bigger and more profound than merely their own self-interest.â€
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“Just because I’m 77 doesn’t mean I don’t have a dream.â€
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“We are more fulfilled when we are involved in something bigger than ourselves.†– Keynote address at Ohio State University’s commencement in 2009.
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“Don’t tune out, cop out, or drop out. Don’t give into complacency and cynicism. Don’t ignore what is bad, but concentrate on building what is good. Don’t take America and the values reflected in our form of government for granted. And never forget that in our democracy, the government is not ‘them’ – it is ‘us’.†– When announcing his retirement from the United States Senate in 1997.
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“I’m not interested in my legacy. I made up a word: ‘live-acy’. I’m more interesting in living.â€
Photos from NASA and Google.Â
