Vice President Johnson and Annie and John Glenn wave to the crowds in Cocoa Beach, Florida during Glenn’s eighteen-mile trip from Patrick Air Force Base to Cape Canaveral

President John F. Kennedy pins NASA’s Distinguished Service Award Medal on John Glenn at ceremonies held at Cape Canaveral on February 23, 1962.   NASA photograph

John Glenn, along with his son, David, his daughter Lyn, and his wife, Annie, examine the Friendship 7 spacecraft with President Kennedy after the awards ceremony at Cape Canaveral.  Pinned to Glenn’s lapel is NASA’s Distinguished Service Award Medal.   NASA photograph

John Glenn and family leave the Capitol after Lt. Col. Glenn’s speech to a joint session of Congress.   NASA photograph

Vice President Johnson looks on as Annie and John Glenn wave to the crowd during the February 26, 1962 parade in a rainy Washington, D.C.

Photographers and television crews surround the car containing John Glenn, his family, and Vice President Johnson during the Washington, D.C. parade.   NASA photograph

Huge crowds throng Broadway as John Glenn’s motorcade passes by during the March 1, 1962 New York City tickertape parade.   NASA photograph

During the New York City parade workers and other spectators line the floors of a building under construction on Broadway.

Tickertape rains down on the car containing John and Annie Glenn and Vice President Johnson as it rolls along “Astronaut Way” during the New York City parade.

Security personnel hold back some of the 75,000 people lining the streets to greet John and Annie Glenn during the March 3, 1962 parade held in their hometown of New Concord, Ohio.    NASA photograph

John and Annie Glenn, sprinkled by confetti, smile at the crowd during the parade in New Concord, Ohio - their fourth parade in eight days.

Two spectators vie for an unobstructed view of the New Concord parade.