Put the news back on! Walter would have wanted it that way.
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I was a baby when Apollo 11 landed, but I still remember his voice. 'Nam was another young memory- but "Uncle Walt" was there for every conflict and major news of my life. It was not news without him... God Speed and sleep well our Prince of Broadcasting.......Good Night Sweet Prince.
He was there at Normandy, he was there in Korea, he was there in Vietnam, and he was there when Nixon left the White House. We walked through history with this man, with his unique and commanding voice, calmed the day the Kennedys passed on and the dark day after Dr.King was slain. Like a father holding your hand, each day he took us through the worlds events, and good or bad he always said it straight. The world will not long remember, but time will never forget his presence. Godspeed Walter.
I'm not quite old enough to remember any of his live broadcasts. However, he is imprinted in my mind as a legend and icon of both a anchorman, journalist, and Great American. The best of the best. His legend will never die. "And that is the way it is.". R.I.P Mr. Cronkite.
I'm sure he was embarrassed at how today's media turned out. Between the selling out of the media to advertisers & old men with too much money, AND politicians like Obama who manipulate the media of America embarrassed him. The days of honor within America media are long over, so is America's place as the world's superpower thanks to ignoring GOD and greed.
A wonderful man, truly loved. I've enjoyed seeing the footage of his delight at the moon landing, since that week I was a frustrated kid at summer camp with no TV, only car radio. But I have a friend who has noted that his passing comes on the SAME DAY that it was revealed that NASA actually ERASED the original live video of the Apollo 11 landing, because they were so cheap they wanted to reuse the videotape. Maybe this was more than Uncle Walter could bear. But never mind. He is already sorely missed.
Born in 1957, I grew up watching Uncle Walter as CBS was the only news we ever watched in our house. The news people today should take a long look at what news channels have become. Uncle Walter was the last real news anchor America trusted.
Another American legend gone, what character.
Iwell remember listening to Walter. An era has gone with him. Most honest newsman in the world. These so called news people today cannot hold a candle to him in any way, shape or form. God Speed Mr. Walter.
The real news died long before Mr. Cronkite... RIP
"Uncle" Walter was a part of our family's routine for many, many years. His enthusiasm for his craft and especially the space program was an inspiration. He will be missed.
News at Eleven, Apallo 11, Uncle Walt has gone to heaven, Normandy, Kennedy, My Lai Massacre, Iran hostages have been freed, Watergate, Investigate, turn on The News and don't be late. It's the end of the news as we know it. Sad, but true, that's the way it is. I'll never forget him, ever.
Having grown up with Uncle Walt I cannot believe he is gone. "And that's the way it is" really meant something! I will always remember the voice over for the events of my childhood, I will miss him.
In addition to all his other accomplishments and contributions, Walter Cronkite was, for years, a superb host of the the annual Vienna New Year's Concert on PBS. It won't be the same without him.
Now this saddens me. A man of integrity, a man of honor. I was too young to be aware of the 'Nightly News' show when he left. But from the snippets of video I've seen over the years, he was a true journalist by the best definition. A person you could trust and look up to. A worthy human being and a worthy American.
He was there as a comforting voice & presence through such turbulent and heartbreaking times, that it does seem as though we have all lost a family member. He was a good and decent man, honorable and hard working -- even in his later years, he worked for the betterment of the world. We'll never forget you Mr. Cronkite. God Bless and Godspeed.
He was a great American, and reflected the best of what we can be. I feel I've lost a member of my own family, and send my condolences to Mr. Cronkite's. Godspeed.
I grew up with Mr. Cronkite. Watching the CBS news while my mother prepared dinner was a daily routine in my home. If given the chance to have a an evening of dinner and conversation with 3 people (living or dead) who would I pick? I would pick Jesus Christ, Joan of Arc and Walter Cronkite. Blessings to the Cronkite family Godspeed Mr. Cronkite
A big piece of my past has gone on. I not only grew up with him, but admired and respected him beyond words. He was as much a part of the space program as the astronauts and added so much dignity to JFK's death. His on-air presence has been missed for years and this world is a better place because of who he was as a human being. He so deserves to be sitting at the right hand of God.
This is very sad news. Walter Cronkite was a fixture in our house as we watched the CBS Evening News every evening for decades. He was a standard bearer for professionalism, integrity, and decency in journalism and the dignified way in which he conveyed the news to Americans and the International audience. Current so-called pundits and shouters and Cable News today need to watch tapes of Mr. Cronkite and think about the example he set for the right way to communicate with and treat people while interviewing them. He certainly was the “most trusted man in America” for many, many years.He was part of Civilized world he was voice of 20th century, Ramesh Manghirmalani said from Paris .My sincere condolences to his family and to everyone who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace
Walter Cronkite was more than a prime time news anchor. He was a curious historian who cared about the people and events of the time period he witnessed. When Jack Kennedy died, he cared. When Bobby and Martin Luther King died, he cared. When John Glenn and Neil Armstrong gave Americans hope, he cared. When innocent young American military servicemen and civilian Vietnamese men, women and children died, he cared, and LBJ listened, and retired from politics. When John Lennon died, he cared. And, even after he retired, he still cared and spoke about issues of our times. Like Edward R. Morrow, Walter Cronkite was faithful to his profession, to report things as they happened. His integrity and honesty will become the benchmark for future journalists and broadcasters.
Growing up in the south, my mother let us listen to and watch Walter Cronkite everyday as he deliverd the news. I was 3 when Kennedy was killed and 8 when King was shot. As an African American, I remember his cool and impartial delivery of the news. His voice comforting amidst all of the developments of the 60's. His voice even helped me shed my southern accent. He was one of my idols. Thanks Mr. Cronkite. RIP
A man for the ages, there will never be the likes of quality and trust he achieved on any medium on this planet again and in his words, I guess "thats the way it is"
I remember his excitement at the moon landing. Even the cool, calm Walter could not resist a "Hot dog!" . He cared about the world and about his country in particular, and cared about having us all understand "the way it is". As an alumna of the University whose journalism school bears his name, I honor that proud legacy he leaves for everyone in his profession. In these days, when the 24 hour news cycle means that all sorts of "stuff" passes for "news", I hope that his influence will remain past his passing from this earth, and keep the flame of his kind of journalism burning. Godspeed, Walter Cronkite. May flights of angels sing you to your rest. My condolences to the family.
if we get more post on this death than the one of Jackson, than I will know humanity is not dead!
Yeah, sure, he was a media legend and I'm sure had some admirable qualities. Unfortunately the image of him that I think of is being one of those "nattering nabobs of negativism" that Agnew was referring to. Cronkite, I feel, is responsible for the vast negativism and hatred of the Vietnam vet. He is the one that reported that the disastrous Tet offensive was a great victory for the Viet Cong, it wasn't; unleashing the hoards of anti-America protests and 'returning soldier' attacks. Rest in peace Walt.
When my daughter was four, we used Walter Cronkite's sign-off as the beginning of the bedtime ritual. "Walter said Goodnight so it's time to go to bed." One night she said she wished he wouldn't say goodnight. So I asked her if she wanted to write him a letter about that. She printed very nicely, "Dear Walter, When you say goodnight I have to go to bed, Please don't say goodnight anymore." I hoped for a letter back that would delight her. But a few days later I got a call from Cronkite's assistant, telling us to watch the news that evening. At the end of the broadcast, Cronkite, with her letter projected over his shoulder, said, "With an appeal like that, Jamie, how can I refuse." That night Walter did not say "Goodnight." Flashforward a few years, I was a producer and reporter in Los Angeles. Cronkite was the speaker at a Press Club award dinner. I was introduced to him by anchorman Jess Marlow and I reminded him of the story. He asked, And how old is little Jamie now?" "16", I replied. Later that night at the end of the speech, he retold the story and commented that 16 made him realize how quickly time passes. A friend remarked, "Not bad, you were Cronkite's kicker --again." More than an icon --a hero in my life as a journalist.
I remember my dad watching Walter Cronkite every night during the sixties especially while my mother prepared supper. He was a fixture in our home. Well, that and Bonanza. I don't believe in the good old days but those days would be pretty close.
I was 6 when he covered the assination of President Kennedy. He always seemed like you could just call and talk to him for anything.Never watched any other channel ever again for news. He was the best.
He had a distinctive avuncular bearing and a pleasant low register voice. Even then, I took the "that's the way it is" part with a grain of salt...the Jack Parr Show seemed more instructive. For someone with such a sickly last name (krankheit) he lived a long and happy life and helped to enrich ours along the way. RIP Walter.
When I consider that he reported the news from 1939 to 1981 and that during that time frame he was known and renowned for honesty, integrity and especially impartiality, I find that amazing. I don't believe I could relate to you a simple story without slanting it toward my point of view. 42 years of reporting facts and allowing us to form our own opinions - the only exceptions that I am aware of is his "hot dog" regarding the moon landing and his stance on the Tet offensive in 1968. Arguably, his responsed to the Vietnam war did have an immense impact on America's attitude towards Johnson's war effort and regrettably towards their own military personel. Of all the comments by those who knew him personally, I thought this one was the best: "I've been proud over the years to see Walter become not just one of the best-known people on television but one of the best-known people in the whole world of people. He was proud of me, too and there's no better feeling in life than that. I wouldn't trade Walter Cronkite liking me for just about anything I've ever had." – "60 Minutes" commentator Andy Rooney.
I was 15 when Kennedy was asassinated. I remember my mother and father stoicly watching Mr. Cronchite. When he took his glasses off and seemed to have a catch in his throat my father started crying. It was the first time I saw him shed a tear. Such as the power of Cronchite's emotions on the American public. I'm proud that instead of swallowing the Pentagon's drivel about Viet Nam he went himself and reported first hand what he saw. Truth might not always be pretty or what we want, but it is the light of the world.
Not much that I can say that hasn't already been said! Yes, he will be sorely missed. I too grew up with his memorable reporting... so long, Walter. May we meet in heaven someday, where I'm sure you're still reporting the news and all the angels are at your feet listening to your powerful voice. R.I.P.
Good night Chet...good night David...good night Walter...gone, but not forgotten...and that's the way it is...
As I read these posts, it's hard to think of anything more to add to this. I remember watching him as I grew up. Such integrity in a news figure. We don't have that in media anymore. Shame we lost him. There will not be another one like him!!!! My prayers go out to his family.
The nightly news with Walter Cronkite was also a ritual in our house when I was growing up. My father thought the world of Mr. Cronkite and of course so did the rest of the family. He will be sorely missed. Rest in peace and God Speed.
I'm sure he'd say, "Stop talking about me. I'm trying to rest."
Born in 1942, I never knew a world without Walter Cronkite. Radio came first of course, but what a favor he did us all by believing in the new fangled thing called television. If Mr. Cronkite, said it was so, then we knew it was the truth. What I don't understand, is why todays news people haven't learned from him. The likes of Walter Cronkite, will never be seen again and that is how it should be. Goodnight Uncle Walter, you're with your Betsey now, but we are all so much poorer for your absence.
I sure do miss him. Good bless Mr. Cronkite and his family. We'll miss this tremendous journalist. Who can fill his shoes?
Where are all those retarded (sorry, MT) MJ fans, shrieking about Cronkite's death? Talk about an icon! Here was a man worthy of mourning, and yet just 37 posts?
Hello all -- this is the same man that said "I am glad to sit at the right hand of Satan."
Eva, where did you get that bit of info from??? }:0(
eva- in what context did he say that?
Here is the full quote concerning the "right hand of Satan". As always we should be very careful about taking things out of context. As he did in this video when he accepted an award from the "World Federalist Association" which advocates a new world order in which America gives up its sovereignty. In his own words he says that if Pat Robertson is correct that we should have a world government, but only after the return of the Messiah, then he, Walter Cronkite, was glad to "sit here at the right hand of Satan."
Italianwoman - it still puts him at the right hand of Satan. Especially now that he's dead. But probably under his right foot being continously dunked in liquid fire.
thankyou IW! I knew that the comment would be something completly different when put into context!
fuhsho - You beleive as you wish. My point was only to put the quote in context. Anji You are welcome :>)
I notice that people say he is/was the last of his kind. Most news anchors today don't have that kind of respect or deserve it. But there are a few that do. Some that has covered wars, major tragic events, and other milestone events that shape our world similar to WC. I agree that he was a one of a kind "American". I just feel we are degrading those few that strive to be great news anchors. There are one or two evening news anchors that I appreciate alot. I have watched them for years, just like WC. Even though I grew up watching WC, a few news anchors now have earned my respect. So, to all current news anchors, please strive to be an example like WC!
Italianwoman - hey, I'm just, just, - well, bein' a goof. Only God knows the heart. Meant no offence.
fuhsho - no offense taken. Differences of opinion is what keeps this blog interesting, so keep on keeping on ;>)
smnphoto78- I will never forget covering a BIG 1980 celebration reception for the top Reagan-Bush workers at DC hotel...and Walter snuck up some extra stairways and joined the celebration to the secret service surprise!! He was such a wonderful man and a joy to photograph.
