On Dec. 16, a public viewing took place at the Ohio Statehouse for late, former NASA astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn, whose body laid in repose under a United States Marine honor guard, in the Rotunda of the Statehouse. Glenn died Dec. 8 at the age of 95. He served four terms as a U.S. senator from Ohio and was one of NASA’s original seven Mercury astronauts. His flight on Friendship 7 on Feb. 20, 1962, showed the world that America was a serious contender in the space race with the Soviet Union. It also made Glenn the first American to orbit Earth.
A dignified transfer with full honors procession is planned for Dec. 17. A platoon of 40 U.S. Marines will escort Glenn’s body from the Statehouse to Mershon Auditorium at The Ohio State University, where the university will host a public celebration of Glenn’s life. The service is scheduled to take place from 2 to 3 p.m. EST.
