Public viewing of John Glenn in Ohio to extend for 8 hours

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Members of the public will be given eight hours Friday to pay their respects to John Glenn as the late astronaut-hero lies in state at Ohio’s capitol building.

A spokesman said Saturday that Glenn would lie in repose in the Statehouse Rotunda from noon to 8 p.m. under a proposal set for final approval by the building’s advisory board Monday.

A U.S. Marine honour guard will be featured at the event.

Hank Wilson, of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at Ohio State University, said a public memorial service at Mershon Auditorium has been scheduled for 2 p.m. on Dec. 17. The event will be open to the public but tickets are required. They will be available through the college’s website starting Thursday.

Glenn’s hometown church, Westminster Presbyterian in New Concord, also planned a candlelight vigil with readings, singing and prayer to pay him tribute. That event was scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday.

Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth. He also served as a combat pilot and was a U.S. senator representing Ohio for more than two decades. He died Thursday at 95.

Tributes to Glenn continued Saturday, as U.S. senators passed a resolution honouring their former colleague for his many accomplishments in the military and public service.

Ohio’s two senators, Republican Rob Portman and Democrat Sherrod Brown, introduced the resolution this week and announced its passage.

The resolution says the nation is “deeply indebted to John Glenn for his passion for exploration, commitment to public service and desire to make the world a better place.”

Portman and Brown said the Senate would mark its respect for Glenn when it stands adjourned.