John Glenn was honored Monday evening at Ohio State University. An event was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the day Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth.
Neil Armstrong and Captain Mark Kelly spoke at the event, 10TV's Glenn McEntyre reported.
Kelly was the commander of the shuttle Endeavor on its final mission for the space shuttle program.
He said Glenn was a man who blazed a trail into the heavens.
"John Glenn paved the way for what came later. Apollo, Skylab, the space shuttle," said Kelly. "So, he was a hero of mine right from when I first had heroes."
Kelly also spoke about his wife, Gabrielle Giffords, the Tucson Congresswoman who survived an assassination attempt last year.
"I certainly had an enormous amount of respect for Gabby before she was injured," said Kelly, "but just to watch how hard she has fought. First, to stay alive, then to come back. It's inspiring."
Giffords gave up her seat in Congress in January, deciding to focus full-time on her recovery. Kelly said she continues an extensive rehabilitation program.
"Six days a week, very little time off. Upwards of 30 to 40 hours a week of occupational, physical and speech rehab. So, she's working really hard and she's improving," Kelly said.
With the space shuttle program retired, Kelly said it is critical that the U.S. build a new spacecraft to get astronauts to the International Space Station and beyond, McEntyre reported.
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