Monday, February 20, 2012

John Glenn!

In 1962 - fifty years ago today - John Glenn orbited the earth three times. As soon as he was safely back on Earth it was announced that the U.S. Post Office had issued a stamp commemorating the event. Post offices all across the country had been sent sealed packets of the new stamp with the instructions that they were not to be opened until directed to do so.

Here are some first day covers from various places.



These were all autographed by John Glenn different times in 1986 and 1988 when he maintained a residence in Grandview Heights, Ohio. His voting place was in the school where I taught.

I most recently saw him in September of 1998 when he visited the Ohio Statehouse after a parade in his honor for once again being a space traveler in the space shuttle becoming the oldest astronaut.

A teacher friend lived in the same apartment building as John Glenn. One time they were in the elevator together and she noticed his lapel pin and told him the that she knew someone who would like to have one like it. He took it off and gave it to her and she gave it to me. I'm wearing it today.

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