The Grateful Warrior….
On July 16, 1957, John Glenn made the first supersonic transcontinental flight.
In 1962, During Friendship 7, the first orbital fight for the USA, he carried a note on the flight which read, “I am a stranger. I come in peace. Take me to your leader and there will be a massive reward for you in eternity” in several languages, in case he landed near southern Pacific Ocean islands.
As recounted in the movie Hidden Figures, skin color held no sway to Glenn.
He was not only one of the first astronauts but the one most suited for public life after the military. He was urged by Bobby Kennedy to run for public office in 1964. In 1970 he was appointed to head up the EPA for Ohio, starting a public service life that spanned 5 decades.
His best friend in life was a holocaust survivor…
He always credited serving others as his incentive and gratitude for his contentment…
…that is hero stuff right there.
