Glenn to lie in state in Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio — John Glenn will lie in state in Ohio’s Capitol building before a celebration of his life of military and government service and two history-making voyages into space.
The public viewing at the Ohio Statehouse and a memorial service at Ohio State University’s Mershon Auditorium are planned for late next week. The dates and times were being worked out Friday, said Hank Wilson, of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. Statehouse officials meet Monday to authorize the public viewing.
Glenn, who died Thursday at age 95, was the first American to orbit the Earth, in 1962, and was the oldest man in space, at age 77, in 1998.
A U.S. Marine and combat pilot, he also served as a Democratic U.S. senator, representing Ohio, for more than two decades.
Democratic President Barack Obama on Friday ordered flags at federal buildings and on ships around the world flown at half-staff until sunset on the day of Glenn’s internment. Glenn is to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.
Tributes from the nation’s leaders and others continued Friday.
“Throughout his life, Senator John Glenn embodied the right stuff,” Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in a statement. “Our military in particular benefited from his courage and dedication.”