New Concord pays tribute to American hero John Glenn

NEW CONCORD, Ohio- The nation saw him as an American hero but his hometown of New Concord saw him a bit more personal.

Many have described the late John Glenn as the last true American hero, an astronaut and a Senator, but in New Concord, he’s simply seen as not only a friend, but more importantly a neighbor.

“Just because you’re here in a small town, what he believed was, if you start here you can go anywhere which is really true of any small town, any area in the state of Ohio or in the United States. Its up to you, and it was up to John,” said Joanna Duncan, Education Specialist at the John and Annie Glenn Museum.

Glenn was born in Cambridge, but at the young age of two, moved to New Concord where he graduated from New Concord High School and attended Muskingum University.

“Having somebody like Senator Glenn as an Alum, as a board member, as somebody who’s very involved, it grounds you in this place but expands your vision to the whole world,” said Muskingum University President, Susan Hasseler.

Glenn’s legacy can be seen all over the village of New Concord. From highway’s, to the University’s gymnasium, and even the High School bears his name.

Bradley Zerkle, who grew up in New Concord and attended John Glenn High School, said he’s always looked up to Glenn not only for inspiration, but as a local icon.

“I remember just sitting in history class and when we got to John Glenn we always dug deeper because it was our roots and it’s where were from. I remember just always wanting to learn more about him and what he did and his great experiences and that’s possible for anyone who really truly sets their heart out for it,” said Zerkle.

It was while he was attending Muskingum University that Glenn heard the news of the Pearl Harbor attack and knew that pivotal day would change his life forever. Glenn went on to become a decorated fighter pilot, the first American to orbit the Earth, and then served as a senator for 25 years representing his home state of Ohio, and more importantly his home town.

“Both he and Annie remained very present in this community, people considered them like their neighbor, their next door neighbor and that’s how they talk about them. And that’s quite a gift, a gift to the community,” said Hasseler.

In New Concord, they followed his career proud that a Muskie with such a small start, made it not only out of the town, but out of this universe.

“The people in town know that, its like wow, my, he lived right beside me and that is really true he lived beside these people and he went up in space,” said Duncan.

Glenn made an impact on the whole nation, but New Concord felt it the most.

“To us, that made us feel special, and he made us feel special,” said Zerkle.