A program for the Walter Cronkite memorial service is seen on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in New York. Politicians, notable newsmakers and family members came to New York's Lincoln Center to pay tribute to the legendary CBS anchorman, who died July 17 at the age of 92.
The U.S. Marine Band plays at the beginning of a memorial service for Walter Cronkite at Lincoln Center in New York, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009.
President Barack Obama, right, sits with former President Bill Clinton, center right, CBS CEO Leslie Moonves, center left, and President of CBS News and Sports Sean McManus, left, at a memorial service for Walter Cronkite, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in New York.
Former President Bill Clinton, left, and President Barack Obama laugh during a memorial service for Walter Cronkite, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in New York. Both men gave speeches honoring Cronkite at the service.
Sean McManus, president of CBS News and Sports, remembers Walter Cronkite at a memorial serivce, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in New York. He said that Walter Cronkite's influence and stature would never be duplicated. "His death is like losing the last veteran of a world-changing war," McManus said.
CBS President and CEO Leslie Moonves speaks at a memorial service for Walter Cronkite, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in New York. Moonves called Cronkite "a national treasure," saying that he was valued not just among his friends and colleagues at the memorial but around the world.
Former President Bill Clinton speaks at a memorial service for Walter Cronkite, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, at Avery Fisher Hall at New York's Lincoln Center. Clinton called Cronkite a friend while paying tribute to the anchorman, remembering him as "a great citizen and a profoundly good human being."
Musicians Mac McAnally, Jimmy Buffet and Mickey Hart perform a musical tribute at a memorial service for Walter Cronkite, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in New York. Buffett sang his classic "Son of a Son of a Sailor" for his sailing buddy Cronkite.
Nick Clooney speaks at a memorial service for Walter Cronkite, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, at Avery Fisher Hall in New York's Lincoln Center.
NBC News' Tom Brokaw pays tribute to Walter Cronkite at a memorial service in New York, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009. Brokaw called Cronkite "a seminal force in the transformation of this country."
"CBS Evening News" anchor Katie Couric pays tribute to Walter Cronkite at a memorial service in New York, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009. "Heroism, hard work and humility trumped celebrity every time," she said of Cronkite, who anchored the "CBS Evening News" from 1962-1981. "He never missed an opportunity to shake the hand of a teacher or thank a construction worker."
Former Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin speaks at a memorial service for Walter Cronkite, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in New York. He praised Cronkite's coverage of the U.S. space program, saying, "With his usual insight, context and color, he made voyages to the moon very real for the average American. Such journalism takes not just skill and interest, but passion."
"60 Minutes" correspondent Andy Rooney applauds during a memorial service for Walter Cronkite, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in New York. Rooney provided a video tribute to his longtime friend and colleague that was played at the service.
Former CBS President Howard Stringer, now the head of Sony Corp., speaks at a memorial service for Walter Cronkite, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in New York. Stringer highlighted Cronkite's character, saying his sense of self-awareness "defined the role of anchorman without letting it define him."
Linda Mason, Senior Vice President, Standards and Special Projects for CBS News, center, stands on stage with "60 Minutes" producer Harry Radcliffe, left, and "CBS Evening News" executive producer Rick Kaplan, right, at a memorial service for Walter Cronkite on Sept. 9, 2009, in New York. All three paid tribute to the late CBS anchorman.
CBS Chief Washington correspondent and "Face the Nation" anchor Bob Schieffer speaks at a memorial service for Walter Cronkite, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in New York. "Walter Cronkite was the most curious man I had ever met," Schieffer said. "He always wanted to know everything about everything, and he wanted to know it before everyone else knew it."
The children and grandchildren of Walter Cronkite are seen on stage at a memorial service for the late CBS anchorman, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in New York. Cronkite died on July 17 at the age of 92.
The Wynton Marsalis Sextet plays its way up the aisle at a memorial tribute for Walter Cronkite, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, at Avery Fisher Hall in New York's Lincoln Center.
President Barack Obama pays tribute to Walter Cronkite at a memorial service on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in New York. "I did not know Mr. Cronkite personally," he said. "But I have benefited as a citizen from his dogged pursuit to find truth, his passionate defense of the truth of reporting. Walter wasn't afraid to rattle the high and the mighty."
From right, Marilyn Hewitt, widow of "60 Minutes" creator Don Hewitt, CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric, CBS Chief Washington correspondent and "Face the Nation" anchor Bob Schieffer, his wife Pat, and Linda Mason, Senior Vice President, Standards and Special Projects for CBS News are seen at Walter Cronkite's memorial service on Sept. 9, 2009, in New York.