Topic: John Glenn at 93: Cleveland Plain Dealer profile
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-13-2015 09:49 AM
Brent Larkin with the Cleveland Plain Dealer sat down with John Glenn and his wife Annie for an interview about Glenn's past and present.
Glenn, now 93, knows full well that he was the beneficiary of more adulation than the others. But all these years later, he's still at a loss to explain it.
"It's true we got more attention. It wasn't something we planned. Truth is, I just don't know why it happened."
...Glenn sold his airplane and stopped flying three years ago. He no longer drives. Last May, he had heart valve replacement surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.
Declining health clearly has become Glenn's greatest burden. Ask him how he's feeling, and out pours the frustration.
"I've got problems. I had a little stroke after the surgery that affected my eyes. I only have about half my vision. I have trouble recognizing people. Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic and at Johns Hopkins hope it will get better with time, but it's been eight months and it hasn't gotten better at all."
Glenn now has a reader. Her name is Annie Glenn...
onesmallstep Member
Posts: 1310 From: Staten Island, New York USA Registered: Nov 2007
posted 03-13-2015 10:06 AM
Heroes are made, not born. Col. Glenn is the beneficiary, as he put it, of a grounded life, courage forged in combat, and service to his country in the halls of Washington and in space. And now he can count on the best wingman to watch over him — Annie Glenn.
Ronpur Member
Posts: 1211 From: Brandon, Fl Registered: May 2012
posted 03-13-2015 12:42 PM
Forget flying in space, or being a senator, being married to your childhood sweetheart for 72 years... that is what life is all about!
MarylandSpace Member
Posts: 1337 From: Registered: Aug 2002
posted 03-13-2015 02:26 PM
For those of us who have had the opportunity to hear or "meet" Senator and Mrs. Glenn, they are truly nice people.
If you get a chance to obtain and listen to his audiobook, do so. It is as if he were sitting next to you telling you his story.
mjanovec Member
Posts: 3811 From: Midwest, USA Registered: Jul 2005
posted 03-13-2015 07:44 PM
I think this article highlights the importance of not bothering Glenn anymore with autograph requests if we already have his autograph in our collections. His poor eyesight and difficulty reading only makes signing material a bigger challenge than ever. After so many years of honoring our requests and never asking for a dime in return, it's time we let him enjoy his remaining years without that burden.
At the very least, any autograph requests should be limited to newer and younger collectors who don't yet have his signature.
I think we all owe it to Glenn, as a sign of our gratitude.
ejectr Member
Posts: 1751 From: Killingly, CT Registered: Mar 2002
posted 03-14-2015 02:11 PM
I met him and his adorable wife once at a book signing in Cincinnati. You couldn't ask for a more unassuming couple. I'll always remember them that way.
dss65 Member
Posts: 1156 From: Sandpoint, ID, USA Registered: Mar 2003
posted 03-14-2015 09:33 PM
Forever a legend.
Headshot Member
Posts: 864 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 03-15-2015 05:07 PM
Well said.
ColinBurgess Member
Posts: 2031 From: Sydney, Australia Registered: Sep 2003
posted 03-15-2015 06:41 PM
I have never met John (or Annie) Glenn, but I have always held him in the highest regard, and his Mercury flight was the one that kick-started my interest in human space flight. I hope, as a long-time admirer, that he gets to read my tribute book, "Friendship 7" which should be released in about 2 months or so. It would mean a lot to me to know that we have connected in this way, even though I may never get to meet him or shake his hand.
Jonnyed Member
Posts: 396 From: Dumfries, VA, USA Registered: Aug 2014
posted 03-27-2015 05:14 PM
I live just a few miles south of Washington DC and one Sunday morning years ago a relative was visiting us and wanted to go to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. We headed out that morning only to walk into the museum and find John Glenn and his wife standing next to Friendship 7 -- and only a very small crowd around! Totally thrilled to walk into that -- and Senator Glenn (and his wife) was so approachable. TRUE AMERICAN HERO.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-14-2015 04:03 PM
Further to the Plain Dealer's discussion of John Glenn's health, here is an interview with the Senator and his wife by the Associated Press:
APG85 Member
Posts: 306 From: Registered: Jan 2008
posted 05-14-2015 05:21 PM
The Senator and his wife both look fantastic considering their age. An amazing couple.
posted 03-13-2015 09:49 AM
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