Walter Cronkite has died and I am saddened at his passing. He was, in my eyes, the greatest journalist, newsman in the world. I grew up listening to him anchor the Evening News. He brought us solace during JFK's assassination and provided memorable events as no other news reporter has done.
In an age before the 24/7 news cycle, Mr. Cronkite brought us descriptions of the world around him with honesty and integrity. Unlike many of today's newscasters, "spin" was not in his vocabulary. He reported the news as he saw it and worked tirelessly to bring you the facts.
I had the honor or working with Mr. Cronkite on a program a few years ago. He did a telephone conference with an audience at an American Embassy in East Asia. Even though he was home with pneumonia, he plugged along like a trooper, not wanting to disappoint those who had gathered to hear him speak. Everyone hoped to get their question answered by this masterful commentator and he tried his best to satisfy everyone.
The world changed dramatically during the time Walter Cronkite occupied the evening news desk. He brought those changes to us with his own special insightfulness and somehow made us less afraid of what was happening in the world around us.
And that's the way it is on July 18, 2009. The world is greatly diminished by his passing.
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