08 Dec STATEMENT REGARDING JOHN GLENN’S PASSING
As I sit in hospital and just heard that my friend John Glenn has passed away, I feel fortunate to be recovering from my own illness, but saddened that we lost another space pioneer and world icon.
I first met John Glenn in 1953 when I was a fighter pilot in South Korea in the 16th squadron and the 51st fighter group. He was the Ops officer of the 25th squadron in the 51st fighter group. The next time I learned about him he flew of course on his first orbital flight and then when I reported as a NASA astronaut in 1963 and started training in 1964 we both became elders in the same church in Houston, TX.
Not long after that he left NASA and of course pursued a career in politics while I went on to do my Gemini 12 and Apollo 11 missions. When he was 77 he flew again on a shuttle mission and became the oldest to fly in space. I saw him at various memorials and astronaut gatherings over the years and I believe the last time we saw each other in person was at Neil Armstrong’s memorial at the National Cathedral although we spoke by phone and corresponded by email since then.
I was very saddened to hear the John was ill over the past year. Since he was the last remaining Mercury astronaut, I was always lobbying him to encourage the Apollo guys to do regular reunions annually since we’re not getting any younger. With the news today I’m saddened again to hear that we have lost the pioneer of space flight for the United States, second only to Yuri Gagarin, and he will always go down in history as certainly one of the most influential officers in the Marine Corps and of course as one of the original Mercury 7 astronauts. I am very sorry that he has departed us with his wisdom. I join that crowd of people and the entire nation and the world in paying homage to his service.
BUZZ ALDRIN
Scott Hannon, Esq.
Posted at 22:46h, 08 DecemberGracious words for a departed hero. We have so few remaining space pioneers that to lose these last remaining ones is a travesty. Marine, pioneer, explorer, hero. John Glenn epitomized all that is good and right with this nation. RIP, Brother Marine. You will NOT be forgotten. Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful.
Kimberly Fry
Posted at 22:38h, 08 DecemberI am sorry you lost your friend and co worker. You guys are like a beacon to dream on for so many of us. We live our space missions through you who bring them to us and inspire us to bring those dreams and stories to our own children and grand children unlocking a lifelong appreciation of the stars and planets, as well as space exploration and discovery
Kimberly Fry
Posted at 22:29h, 08 DecemberI’m sorry that you lost your friend. I wish you a speedy recovery.
Jeffrey Macfarlane
Posted at 22:04h, 08 DecemberSemper Fi Marine. You will always be my inspiration.
Kara Johnson
Posted at 22:01h, 08 DecemberAs a child of your combined greatness, it warms my heart and lightens my soul to know that such influential pioneers as you (Buzz) and John Glenn spend the time to appreciate then impact your achievements have had on the future pioneers. Greatness inspires greatness!
Anonymous
Posted at 21:56h, 08 DecemberThanks Buzz. Stay healthy. We don’t what to lose you next!
A. Peter Salcius
Posted at 21:56h, 08 DecemberA human being of excellent quality.
Teresa
Posted at 21:48h, 08 DecemberVery very sad loss, and praying for you to get well sir! My daughter is 7 and in the last year has fallen in love with space, we talk about it a lot and she told me “Man I wish I could talk to an astronaut and hear them describe what they have seen with their eyes!” 🙂 I have told her about all of you and she was sad to hear of Johns passing today. We have also prayed for you Buzz. A very select club and it’s sad we’re losing so many of them. Stay well!
Rhonda V. Guffey
Posted at 21:31h, 08 DecemberMay God bless and be with your family, I know you will be miss by all who work with and around you.
Anita French
Posted at 21:30h, 08 DecemberLove and health to you, Buzz Aldrin! You and John Glenn are in a rare group of heroes I consider to be the best at living the dream. X
Darren Miniconzi
Posted at 21:07h, 08 DecemberGreat American hero ,he n his fellow astonots7 should be hero’s n our youth should look up to them not sports..godbless tell the alierns we come in peace…buzz u know what I am talking about
Jerry T
Posted at 21:05h, 08 DecemberWhen I was in high school and college Mercury and Gemini flights to me were like Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers coming to life. As an Apollo spacecraft operations engineer at Kennedy space Center, I worked on the pre launch test and checkout of your CSM. John Glenn and you are trailblazers whose contributions to manned space exploration have a special place in history. Godspeed John Glenn. Get home soon Buzz.
Lenny
Posted at 21:04h, 08 DecemberSen. Glenn was, no, IS a hero and inspiration of mine. He lived things very few even dare dream. Godspeed and ad astra.
Robert M.Allen
Posted at 21:00h, 08 DecemberSaddened by the loss, he has now touched the face of God! Get well Buzz!! Your life is an inspiration!
Roy Scott
Posted at 20:54h, 08 DecemberA great loss to the space community…The church that he and Aldrin were elders at is the Webster Presbyterian church…both my parents went to that church, and had their funerals there. My brother in law programmed the IBM laptops used on the Space Shuttle missions…
Steve
Posted at 20:47h, 08 DecemberI was born in 1971 and when i was around 5 yrs old i started to like the stars outside and the moon. I was bought many star books and a telescope to observe with.
At age 8 i starter to read more about NASA and astronauts and learned about John Glen and many others.
I dreamed of being an astronaut but i never would be able to do the math ot takes.
With God Speed R.I.P John Glen
steve kadar
Posted at 20:44h, 08 DecemberThank you John Glenn. Now you rejoin the stars.
Shan
Posted at 20:42h, 08 DecemberMy earliest memory is watching our (black and white) tv as a 4-year-old and seeing the first moon walk. Later in childhood I met Neil Armstrong and my space fever was born. Following you on Twitter takes me back to that time. Hearing of John Glenn’s death today reminds me just how long that earliest memory has been alive in my mind. Prayers and warm wishes for your recovery.
Sheri Liebschner
Posted at 20:37h, 08 DecemberI’m also sorry about the loss of your friend. I am a former reporter at a small Ohio radio station and had the privilege of interviewing him once in Washington. He was very gracious, kind and well-spoken. Ohio, America and the world have truly lost a great man.
Sheldon Green
Posted at 20:31h, 08 DecemberAt 66 years old I was proud to say that both my lasting boyhood heroes are still alive–Col. Glenn and baseball player Rocky Colavito. Col. Glenn inspired me to always look for new horizons in my life. God’s Speed, John Glenn and RIP
Joe Scriver
Posted at 20:29h, 08 Decemberas a young boy I was enthralled by the space program and I could name every astronaut from every mission from Gemini to Apollo, all the astronauts were my heroes and John Glenn one of my favorites
Joan Gavin
Posted at 20:21h, 08 DecemberTis a sad day. We will remember his first flight, Feb. 20, 1962! RIP John Glenn- our hero!
Thanks to all you space pioneers! Thank you., Buzz.
Wish you the best and speedy recovery!
Steven Bergens
Posted at 20:19h, 08 DecemberJohn Glenn was America’s first spaceman and a great politician. His timeless accomplishments and service will inspire, and be honoured by generations. We are better for his life on earth and among the stars.
Jon Sigler
Posted at 20:14h, 08 DecemberExcellent tribute Dr. Aldrin. Thank you for your thoughts on this occasion.
Joanna
Posted at 20:14h, 08 DecemberA touching tribute. We mourn the loss of a true hero and role model for all mankind.
Jon Sigler
Posted at 20:13h, 08 DecemberExcellent tribute Dr. Aldrin. Thank you for your thoughts on this occasion. Get well soon! Per Ardua ad Astra!
Dan
Posted at 20:11h, 08 DecemberThe Mercury 7 and Armstrong, Collins and yourself inspired me to want to be an astronaut as a child. Though that dream didn’t come true, I remained fascinated by space exploration and science. True men and true heroes. God speed John Glenn. Oh and GYATM
Elliott - Hull - UK
Posted at 20:09h, 08 DecemberVery heartfelt words Mr Aldrin, I was not fortunate enough to have been alive when the world watched your first historic landing on the moon, sadly this means I also missed out on American hero’s like yourself, Mr Armstrong, and Mr Glenn. I have grown up with a keen interest in space and a magical fascination in the space program. I found your words of reflection on the passing of Mr Glenn both humbling and heartfelt. Mr prayers and well wishes go out to Mr Glenn and all you brave souls. You guys are a testament to everything that makes America great and with out any shadow of doubt are a reminder of ever we need one on what ‘the right stuff’ means. God bless John Glenn and god bless you Mr Aldrin, a speedy recovery whilst in hospital.
Roxanne
Posted at 20:09h, 08 DecemberThank you Buzz for sharing yourself and the story behind your friendship with another great American in John Glenn. I was sorry to learn of his passing today. Prayers for your continued recovery.
Hetzal Hartley
Posted at 20:05h, 08 DecemberWell said Buzz. Get well soon sir. We need our heroes more than ever. Godspeed John Glenn.
Vince serio
Posted at 19:58h, 08 DecemberGet well soon Buzz. God speed John Glenn
Mike gartenfeld
Posted at 19:58h, 08 DecemberSad to see the passing of the last pioneer of space. What a wonderful life you had a modern day pioneer and will be remembered forever!R.I.P. John Glenn.
Gino DICostanzo
Posted at 19:57h, 08 DecemberYou are both great American heros, Aviation Pioneers, soldiers, and role models. Both of you made sacrifices and contributions to history that will be remembered and admired by my generation! Farewell John Glenn, recover and stay healthy Buzz, we need men like you!!
Gino
Jeffrey J Dusch
Posted at 19:49h, 08 DecemberSemper Fi sir, and I hope you feel better sir
George Ellis
Posted at 19:44h, 08 DecemberWell said Buzz. Thank you for this tribute to a wonderful American. While we mourn his departure, we also continue to pray for your speedy recovery. Thank you for your continued support of America’s space exploration.
Kevin Eads
Posted at 19:40h, 08 DecemberIn grade school, we were transfixed by the black and white television in the classroom broadcasting the Mercury and then the Gemini flights. John Glenn was a hero not just for his service, not just for being the first American to orbit the earth, but as an honorable and decent man who was a true role model. Buzz, we all wish you a speedy recovery. You speak the truth to Mars. Bless all of you who have taken steps into the fianl frontier.
Robert Thompson
Posted at 19:40h, 08 DecemberFly to the Heavens once more, and then beyond the dreams of Mankind. Peace be with you and your family, and may our pride overwhelm your heartache with joy ever abundant. Proud to have served with all of you. Semper Fi John!
Get well soon Buzz. Mars needs you. And so do we.
MICHAEL T FERENS
Posted at 19:40h, 08 DecemberI met you too at Neil Armstrong’s service Sir. I was tongue tied and nervous meeting you and being surrounded by history’s NASA heroes including Senator Glenn. Thank you for your nice tribute to JG.. America needs more heros like John Glenn and yourself and a more robust and active space program. but for now, Godspeed Johnn Glenn and get well, Buzz Aldrin!
Adel Zahedi
Posted at 19:37h, 08 DecemberGet well soon Mr. Aldrin. You are loved by millions of people globally.
Adrian Reyes
Posted at 19:34h, 08 DecemberWhat a great Tribute to a friend, and fellow Astronaut. What an Honor it is to pay my respects to an incredibly brave Hero who was part of the World’s Greatest Generation. Both of you had, and still have, “The Right Stuff”. Blessings to you Buzz!
Jeff Stephenson
Posted at 19:34h, 08 DecemberVery well said Buzz. I too am saddened by the loss of John Glenn. As a middle school teacher and a private pilot who flies lots of Young Eagles for EAA Chapter 32, a member of the KidVenture team at AirVenture every year at Oshkosh, I hold up heroes such as Mr. Glenn and yourself Buzz to all my students and young people with whom I come into contact. My heart aches for the Glenn family and I wish you the very best for a speedy recovery!
Chinghiz Mamedov
Posted at 19:33h, 08 DecemberRaymond Wald
Posted at 19:33h, 08 DecemberI wasn’t born yet for all the cool stuff you guys did. But I’ll always remember it. I can only wish his memory and accomplishment to endure for thousands of years, and that you may stay with us long enough to see us pursue our true potential again.
Tom Roberts
Posted at 19:30h, 08 DecemberBlessings to you, so sorry you lost a friend today. get well soonest!
Angel Chacin
Posted at 19:29h, 08 Decemberit is a great lost because he and you belong to the humankind history, when I was a child I grew up reading about the adventures you had in the new frontier, remember you must get well soon, you must see the mars landing
winnie kerno
Posted at 19:28h, 08 Decemberyou and him are the two i remember the most rip john glenn i am keeping you in prayer that u recover soon from your illness get well
Tim Coble
Posted at 19:27h, 08 DecemberWonderful sentiments. All the astronauts have been my heroes. Get well.
Anonymous
Posted at 19:26h, 08 Decemberblessings to you, so sorry you lost a friend today
Jeannette Murrin
Posted at 19:26h, 08 DecemberSuch very sad news. I feel as if humanity is somehow less today. Sadly we are losing a generation of greatness.
I wish you a speedy recovery and many, many more years. This world still needs great men like you and Mr Glenn.
Chris in Houston
Posted at 19:22h, 08 DecemberMy brother works out at NASA, and in talking to him about John Glenn’s death, he said this, ‘He merely shed his mortal form to return to the stars.’
I couldn’t have put any better.
Get well, Buzz! The people of Houston love you!