God Speed John Glenn

I am from a small town not far from yours
Where life is a bit slower but honesty abounds
I wish I had known about you back then
Before you became famous
But that’s OK you were always a regular guy
Nothing special just a fighter pilot
Who took the action to the enemy
A decorated war hero when
Heroes were hard to find.

You married your childhood sweetheart
And became her constant companion
Her protector for the next 73 years;
That’s living by example
Being true to yourself
Following an inner compass.

Test pilot astronaut senator
Easily qualified to be president
Overqualified actually;
Foregoing retirement to go up there again
At the tender age of 77;
You excelled at them all
With modesty humbleness
And a slight grin.

Calmness under pressure
Skills that shone when needed
But you never let them shine too much
Nor lost the common touch.

What is the measure of a man
Of someone who always had
The right stuff
When all is said and done?
Again and again I am reminded
Of the rejoinder
"Be ashamed to die until you have won
some victory for humanity."

Rest in peace John Glenn
You were tested and
Found not wanting;
At every juncture of your journey
You met life’s challenges with
Class and style and
You won our hearts
By helping us believe in
Ourselves.