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Funeral procession for John Glenn marches through Columbus

Posted at 11:48 AM, Dec 17, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-17 15:34:55-05

A celebration of John Glenn's life is planned in Ohio's capital as the space pioneer's home state and the nation continue to honor him.

Vice President Joe Biden is among those expected for the Saturday afternoon memorial service in an Ohio State University auditorium for the Glenn, who died Dec. 8 at age 95.

Thousands paid their respects Friday in a public viewing of his flag-draped casket inside Ohio's Statehouse rotunda. They included Secretary of State John Kerry. Glenn was also a fighter pilot and longtime Democratic U.S. senator.

Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962, and in 1998 became the oldest person in space at age 77. Burial is planned at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C., in a private ceremony in the spring.