A true American hero and icon. Flawed? Yes, every person - hero, icon, or otherwise - is. But, very few people ever got to experience the dawn of the space age in the 'front seat', pushed the limits of science and technology of space travel, and lived a full colorful life for nearly a century like John Glenn did. With his passing, I hope our elected officials also come to understand the unique essential value of NASA and the U.S. space program and ensure its viability for the next hundred years.