Once again, Godspeed

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat

On Thursday, Oct. 29, Sen. John Glenn made his much-anticipated return to space. The space shuttle Discovery carried the 77-year old pioneer through the soft, blue afternoon sky back into the heavens he visited 26 years ago.

This time, Glenn's primary mission will be to participate in aging research experiments. And with the exception of the constant blood samples he has jokingly complained of, all indications are he is having a blast.

John Glenn's story is one all should take pride in, and one all could learn from. Born July 18, 1921 in Cambridge, Ohio, he would grow to become an American icon, symbolizing those qualities which are inherently American: courage, patriotism, victory.

On Feb. 20, 1962, aboard Friendship 7, Lt. Col. Glenn blasted though the atmosphere for a near five-hour joy ride in space. On that trip, Glenn was offered the legroom of a Volkswagen Beetle and the first view of a sunset over Earth.

With his launch into space last week, Glenn served perhaps his greatest mission as an American. He has once again come to be that which we are most in need of - a hero. Americans long for someone to make them proud, to inspire them.

It almost need not be mentioned that such people are hard to come by in Washington these days.

There were some who offered protest as to the nature of the mission, arguing that it was unnecessary, a waste of taxpayer money, nothing more than a politically-motivated public relations ploy. Whether there is truth to those beliefs is now not important.

For as the Space Shuttle Discovery stood on the launch pad, shining in the bright Florida sun, millions of onlookers put aside their social and political differences and counted down together, as Americans. During those moments of suspense and excitement, it was not a liberal Democrat from Ohio all had come to see, but rather an American legend.

Perhaps most importantly, John Glenn serves as an example of that which is possible. A reminder that the only limits which restrict us are those imposed upon ourselves, by ourselves.

He continues to do what he does best: break through barriers which have limited the endlessness of our imaginations. In 1962, a barrier of almost unimaginable magnitude, today, one which we will all inevitably encounter. And through it all, there has never been a doubt in his mind.

"Many times every day, I think of taking off in that missile, to anticipate how I'll feel. I approach it with awe, and I'm sure I'll approach it with even more awe on my day. In spite of the fact that I'll be very busy getting set, keeping tabs on all the instruments, there's no question that I'll need, and will have, all my confidence."

Glenn said that before his historic flight over a quarter of a century ago. Little has changed since.

So now, John Glenn is once again looking down upon us, serving his country and all humankind. A world away, there is little we can do now, except offer Sen. Glenn our thoughts and our prayers. That is what we must do now, as Americans.

There is a time and place for everything, and there will be plenty of time once he returns to criticize his support for tax increases, third-term abortion rights and affirmative action policies. And if by some chance, John Glenn is reading the Wildcat online from his laptop aboard Discovery - rest assured senator, I'll be waiting here for your return.

Twenty-six years ago, as Glenn prepared to be launched into the unknown, fellow astronaut Scott Carpenter uttered the sentiments of a nation. Today it is fitting that we, the next generation of Americans, send him this thanks and blessing.

Once again, Godspeed, John Glenn.

Al Mollo is a political science senior serving an internship in the office of Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.