John Glenn: Politicians, Celebrities And Peers Pay Tribute Following Astronaut’s Death
“Godspeed, John Glenn,” said to Glenn by fellow astronaut Scott Carpenter as Glenn was about to launch inside the Friendship 7 spacecraft which took him into orbit, became forever associated with the first American to orbit the earth. Appropriately, following the death of the astronaut and former U.S. senator at age 95, it was a frequent element of the outpouring of tributes from admirers, peers, and fans famous and otherwise.
Among them, President Obama, who said in a statement that “John always had the right stuff, inspiring generations of scientists, engineers and astronauts who will take us to Mars and beyond–not just to visit, but to stay… The last of America’s first astronauts has left us, but propelled by their example we know that our future here on Earth compels us to keep reaching for the heavens. On behalf of a grateful nation, Godspeed, John Glenn.”
Among others paying tribute, Glenn’s former employer – that would be NASA; actor Tom Hanks, who portrayed astronaut Jim Lovell in Ron Howard’s 1995 film Apollo 13 and co-produced the HBO miniseries From Earth To The Moon; astrophysicist and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson; President-Elect Donald Trump and his VP Mike Pence, and more. Read on for a sampling.
We are saddened by the loss of Sen. John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth. A true American hero. Godspeed, John Glenn. Ad astra. pic.twitter.com/89idi9r1NB
— NASA (@NASA) December 8, 2016
God speed, John Glenn. Hanx.
— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) December 8, 2016
Aren’t many Heroes left: WWII & Korean War Fighter Pilot. Marine Colonel. NASA Astronaut. Senator. Married 73 yrs. John Glenn RIP 1921-2016
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) December 8, 2016
Today, we join the world in mourning the passing of legendary astronaut, senator and Ohioan John Glenn. https://t.co/L66WmMJgHi pic.twitter.com/ny3NPpm0nk
— Ohio State (@OhioState) December 8, 2016
Today we lost a great pioneer of air and space in John Glenn. He was a hero and inspired generations of future explorers. He will be missed.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 8, 2016
Saddened to hear of the passing of a US hero/astronaut/statesman. His courage inspired a generation to explore & serve. Godspeed John Glenn
— Mike Pence (@mike_pence) December 8, 2016
Just got this statement from Ed Harris, who played John Glenn in The Right Stuff: pic.twitter.com/jLZANQtGQt
— Steve Kornacki (@SteveKornacki) December 8, 2016
John Glenn was the kind of American hero who's legend will live forever. #Ohio
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) December 8, 2016
John Glenn, one of the truly great explorers passed into the great unknown. May his spirit, whose restlessness expanded our horizons, RIP.
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) December 8, 2016
John Glenn was a true American hero, a great public servant and a great man who I was blessed to call my friend.
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) December 8, 2016
Over and out John Glenn. Thanks for your dignity and bravery and for opening the universe to all of us. The heavens are now yours.
— Lewis Black (@TheLewisBlack) December 8, 2016
RIP John Glenn, 95.
War hero, Astronaut, Senator.
A great American. pic.twitter.com/aa0Y9WdWOR— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 8, 2016
God's speed, John Glenn. Your legacy is eternal. RIP #johnglenn
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) December 8, 2016
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