The original Mercury 7 astronauts were first stationed at NASA Langley and most comprised of WW II pilots who were considered for this mission living in the Tidewater area or Hampton/Newport News, VA. He was a Marine Aviator. Hoora! This was the American to orbit the earth, John Glenn, and the last and I salute him. Farwell and God Speed my friend.
As a child, I grew around these great pilots and many do not realize the demands all 7 were placed on them in war and also by NASA. All knew the dangers. A good example is Gus Grissom and the other two who died on the Cape when the capsule burned. As a child knowing Gus, Gus said being an astronaut was "like sticking a stick of dynamite up your a--." It was a dangerous mission for all. John was considered the one to succeed leaving NASA and he sure did serving as Senator Glenn representing Ohio and highly respected amongst his piers to include by his fellow Mercury astronauts.
The race to the Moon was exciting and so many do not realize how this cemented the country together and the technology that came out from NASA which we enjoy today.
God Speed John GLENN
As a child, I grew around these great pilots and many do not realize the demands all 7 were placed on them in war and also by NASA. All knew the dangers. A good example is Gus Grissom and the other two who died on the Cape when the capsule burned. As a child knowing Gus, Gus said being an astronaut was "like sticking a stick of dynamite up your a--." It was a dangerous mission for all. John was considered the one to succeed leaving NASA and he sure did serving as Senator Glenn representing Ohio and highly respected amongst his piers to include by his fellow Mercury astronauts.
The race to the Moon was exciting and so many do not realize how this cemented the country together and the technology that came out from NASA which we enjoy today.
God Speed John GLENN
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