A Couple of Heroes. In Life and Marriage.

This week marked the 50^th anniversary of America’s first manned orbit of the earth, by astronaut John Glenn.

Glenn was the fifth person in space, the third American in space, and the first person to orbit the earth, aboard Friendship 7. He was part of NASA’s original astronaut group. And if that’s not enough, he went back into space at age 77, on the Space Shuttle Discovery.

With 24 years military service (as a Marines Corps pilot), a renowned NASA astronaut, followed by a 25-year career as a U.S. Senator, John Glenn is a true American hero.

Heroism is a differentiating value that someone must earn. It means surpassing the ordinary; impressive; showing extreme courage. Without a doubt, Glenn earned all aspects of this value.

So, who is his hero?

Annie Glenn and her challenge

John and Annie were childhood playmates, then high school sweethearts. No one was surprised when they married in 1943.

Through the many moves as a Marines Corps wife, Annie faithfully raised their two children and supported her husband.  All the while dealing with a severe speech disability.

Annie had a terrible case of stuttering, such that 85% of the time she couldn’t form a sentence. It was more than troublesome. It was debilitating.

Writer Bob Greene does a beautiful job highlighting this amazing couple in his CNN piece, including Annie’s struggles. Greene points out the real effects of her disabilities.

In addition to experience horrible ridicule, Annie was afraid to use the telephone. What would happen in an emergency and she couldn’t speak? When shopping, she would have to find everything herself because she was afraid to ask the clerks for help. Even the simplest tasks were difficult.

But John always believed in Annie. He admired her courage in dealing with her speech challenge. And he loved her through it.

A shared triumph

At the age of 53, Annie completed an intensive therapy program with a Virginia-based communications research institute. Thankfully it worked, and Annie was finally able to speak freely.

Since this breakthrough, Annie has been speaking regularly in public. In 1983 she received the first national award of the American Speech and Hearing Association for “providing an inspiring model for people with communicative disorders.”  And as a member of numerous advisory boards, she uses her talents and passion to help others in need.

No one would know the pain and suffering Annie has endured – except her husband, John.

John has written: “I saw Annie’s perseverance and strength through the years and it just made me admire her and love her even more.” That’s the sign of a real hero – showing extreme courage, surpassing the ordinary, and impressing others.

John and Annie Glenn are a couple of heroes admiring, supporting, and and encouraging one another. And they’ve been married for 68 years. Now that’s surpassing the ordinary!

What other couples have demonstrated the value of heroism?