John Glenn

Hello! My name is John Glenn, and I always dreamed of soaring through the sky. I was born on July 18th, 1921, in a small town in Ohio. As a boy, I loved building model airplanes and imagining what it would be like to fly for real. I spent my childhood with my best friend, Annie, who would one day be my wife. We loved going on adventures together, but my biggest adventure was still to come.

When I grew up, I made my dream come true! In 1943, I became a fighter pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps. I flew planes in two big wars, World War II and the Korean War. It was my job to be brave and keep our country safe. Later, I became a test pilot, which meant I got to fly the newest, fastest, and most exciting airplanes that had ever been built. I even set a speed record, flying from one side of the country to the other faster than anyone before me!

Then, a new adventure began: space! Our country started a group called NASA to explore what was beyond our world. In 1959, I was chosen to be one of the first seven astronauts, called the Mercury Seven. We trained very hard for a long time. Finally, on February 20th, 1962, it was my turn. I squeezed into a tiny spaceship called Friendship 7. A giant rocket pushed me faster and faster, until I was floating in space! I became the first American to orbit, or circle, the Earth. Looking down at our beautiful blue planet, I said, 'Oh, that view is magnificent!' I circled the Earth three times before splashing down safely in the ocean.

Being an astronaut was an amazing honor, but I also wanted to serve my country on the ground. In 1974, I became a U.S. Senator for my home state of Ohio. I worked in Washington, D.C., for 24 years, helping to make laws and solve problems. But I never stopped dreaming about space. In 1998, when I was 77 years old, I got to go back! I flew on the Space Shuttle Discovery, becoming the oldest person ever to travel in space. It showed everyone that you're never too old to follow your dreams.

I lived a very long and exciting life of 95 years. I hope people remember me as someone who was curious, brave, and always ready for the next challenge. I was a pilot, an astronaut, and a senator, but most of all, I was an explorer. I want you to remember to always look up at the stars, ask big questions, and never be afraid to chase your wildest dreams.