Thursday, December 8, 2016

Rest in Peace, John Glenn

John Glenn passed away today.  He was one of the heroes of my childhood - a man who epitomized "The Right Stuff": Marine Corps fighter pilot with 59 missions in the South Pacific in World War II, a jet pilot in Korea and wingman of Red Sox legend Ted Williams, returning to base once with over 250 holes in his plane.  One of the original "Mercury Seven" and the first American to orbit the earth. Cool under pressure when a malfunction jeopardized his re-entry.

That was enough to trigger a big case of hero worship in four year old Borepatch.  Oh yeah, he was a Senator too, but nobody's perfect.

Listening to the radio report of his death, the hero worship welled back up.  Thanks for the thrills and inspiration, Astronaut Glenn.  May Angels sing the to thy rest.

Or since you rode the thunder and tore holes in the sky, maybe The Bellrays can rock you out with a space age Christmas tune.

3 comments:

OldAFSarge said...

Amen.

Seems we had some of the same heroes.

doubletrouble said...

Like I posted on Mugbook, he was THE astronaut of my day. I got to stay home from school just to watch his flight.
I've still got my Friendship 7 pencil sharpener...

ProudHillbilly said...

I am so glad I had I had the opportunity to hear him speak when they brought the shuttle in to the Air and Space annex.