Comments on: Walter Cronkite Dies

Television Pioneer, CBS Legend, Passes Away in New York at 92

[gqbq73]

We just lost another GREAT person

[MsRedlady]

I posted a comment earlier and now have read some other comments not all good and again not all bad. But think about it everyone, "God Bless America" we have the "freedom" of speech!!

[ladytinarglenn]

I was born in 1965 and I remember Walter Cronkite being a permanent fixture in our home. I heard him being described this morning as kind and generous man who wanted the story only and never sought to "blow himself up" or make a name for himself by humiliating others in interviews. Today I hardly watch the news because those sitting in the seat of Cronkite do not have the integrity that he had. Today I watch news anchors and others cut people down while having no respect for themselves or the person they interview just to make a name for themselves. I will truly miss Walter and I truly miss the news of yesterday. There was honor, respect and integrity then. Today I feel sorry for anchors today who can't tell the difference between a story and their greed and ambition. Walter simply gave us the story and because of his honesty we trusted him. Thank you Walter for simply giving us the story, for making us wiser and for giving us the best you had...for giving us you. Rest in peace.

[MsRedlady]

Let's face it, he could never be replaced, nor would anyone want to. I remember the coverage of JFK, Apollo XI, the Vietnam War and yes he was "trusted". He didn't just report the news, he investigated what he was reporting and what he shared with us was the "truth". A true "Journalist". God Bless his family and know that he and Betsy have been reunited.

[shemarlene]

I feel like I have lost a member of my family.

Walter Cronkite was with me through thick and thin....from losing my President to bringing me The Beatles and men on the moon...from the march on Washington and MLK's 'I have a dream' speech to losing both the Reverend and Bobby Kennedy...Kent State and then Watergate...and of course, maybe the toughest times for our country...the Vietnam war.

He held my hand through it all...

Long Live Walter Cronkite!

[bigbob_874]

AMEM

Bob Yahraus
Prescott,AZ

[TedYaeger]

It was the summer of 1951 when the Senate Macarthur hearings were happening when WTOP-TV in Washington, DC initiated Uncle Walter's career as a CBS news reporter. We had to set up an emergency "studio" in a garage used to house the remote truck and decorated a backround by "Buddy" Pappas. We borrowed a desk from the business office and fed Walter (LIVE) to the CBS network. This was his very first appearance on national television and, I was there. Ted Yaeger

[Heather530]

Journalism lost one of its superstars yesterday with the death of Walter Cronkite. I have special, personal memories of him.

For years, he lived in a townhouse across the street from my co-op. He might have been an internationally known and immensely respected newsman, but on East 84th Street he was our neighbor. He stopped by our block association fall street fair and our Christmas party when he was in town, and he stood at 84th and First Avenue in November to cheer on the marathon runners, a good neighbor in all ways.

I first met him at the association Christmas party the year after I moved to 84th Street. Later I wanted to put together a journalism book and, although I figured he wouldn?t remember me, I decided to write to him about it.

I was teaching in the graduate journalism school at NYU when I had the idea for my first book, ?Journalism Stories from the Real World.? Since I had always found it helpful -- and fun -- to use an anecdote to teach specific points, I thought I could put together a strong book if I collected stories from journalism professors all over the country with their examples of how they use stories from their days as a reporter to teach the important rules of journalism.

People sent me stories of covering the Kennedy assassinations, busing in Boston and the Vietnam War. I had wanted to ask Mr. Cronkite to write the introduction for me, but was waiting to get a publisher lined up first. When I met with rejection after rejection, I decided it might help if I had Mr. Cronkite onboard first, so I wrote to him, explained my project and asked him if he would write the intro contingent upon my getting a publisher. In return mail I received his generous answer.

?I don?t have the time to labor over an adequate introduction right now, but I have enclosed a letter which might help get the cooperation you require from the professors and a publisher,? he wrote. ?And, as you see, if it all comes about, I?ll somehow find time to do that introduction.?

He kindly included a To Those Concerned letter, which said in part: ?From the first responses Ms. Blaney has received to her request for anecdotal contributions, it is clear to me that she has a marvelous idea for a book that not only would be a worthy and unique journalism textbook, but also would provide a very good read (including a few tips) for us journeymen journalists. If the book materializes as I feel it must, given her dedication and talent and the value of the idea, I shall be honored to do the introduction -- no matter how much that may detract from the volume?s general excellence.?

Well, the book did materialize, published by North American Press in 1995. In it is the thoughtful introduction by Mr. Cronkite, a journalism giant who cared enough to help someone at the opposite end of the spectrum in need.

Thank you, Mr. Cronkite, and may God bless you.

By Retta Blaney

[jtepe]

As a Cuban exile in the early 1960's I would struggle to learn English and keep up to date on the news. Walther was always there on the afternoon news and he was so trusted and serious and then one day he spoke about how great the new medical system and educational achievements of the Cuban Revolution were. I said to myself, "does he really knows what he is talking about?". From that day on I lost some of the trust that he so nicely portrayed. Over the years I have always respected him but would always go back to that moment when I no longer had 100% of his trust, may he rest in peace.

[balsterm]

In 1980 I was explaining dates on the calendar to my 4 year old son: February 12 was Lincoln's birthday-a president, great man, log cabin, study hard, Civil War, etc. February 22 was Washington's birthday-first president, great man, cherry tree, honesty, Revolutionary War, etc. He then asked me "When is Walter Cronkite's birthday?" The CBS Evening News was revered at our house!!