Glenn hopes airport name inspires kids
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The airport where astronaut John Glenn ogled planes as a kid, came and went to two wars, boarded his first commercial jet and piloted a private aircraft until age 90 now has been named in his honor.
The former U.S. senator, 94, said during a ceremony Tuesday that he hopes changing Port Columbus’ name to John Glenn Columbus International Airport will inspire youngsters to pursue science, engineering and their own round of innovation.
“It is a great honor to me to have this field with my name on it. It’s not just that, though,” he said. “One of the things that I think is most important about something like this, other than just honoring me, is the fact that it may draw attention for some of our young people and develop their interest in knowing that they, in their time, can do as many new things as have been done in aviation and in flying in the past.”
Glenn was joined at the event by his wife of 73 years, Annie, their children and a host of dignitaries.
The airport’s new name was unveiled at the end of the event. It stretches across a video board that featured a scrolling multimedia presentation of Glenn’s life and legacy.
