need to add title here

Andy's Best Friend

July 26, 2009 4:58 PM

Andy Rooney remembers his close friend Walter Cronkite, who passed away on July 17, 2009

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by astronomychess September 27, 2009 5:42 PM EDT
Having two or three BEST FRIENDS at most is an OLD definition of BEST FRIENDS, nowadays, at least for me and others this BEST FRIEND definition has changed when I became involved in 12-step self -help programs (ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, NEUROTICS ANONYMOUS, OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS ETC. TO THE INFINITE, I guess)-

Today I know I can walk into just about any country or city in the World and find a BEST FRIEND by just looking in the yellow pages for one of these self-help groups.

The only requirement to be part of any of these groups is the desire to stop overdrinking, overeating, or to control yourself from indulging in any obsessive behaviour ...

Thank you Mr. Rooney .... U are very funny !!
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by Mr-SP September 8, 2009 12:49 AM EDT
Dear Mr. Rooney
Mr. Walter Cronkite was one of the people on TV it would have been wonderful to have known in person.
Our paths in this life never crossed but I wish they had.
Getting emotional at the passing of a friend just proves you are human and have feelings too.
While it is sad to see someone pass away be glad you had the honour and privilage to have known them.
Cherish all the memories of Mr. Cronkite. he will be missed.
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by suzannelkelley September 6, 2009 9:38 PM EDT
Hey Andy,

I'm Suzanne, living the wildlife in the midwest, Lake of the Ozarks, MO to be exact. Holiday weekend and I have allocated my resources (big word for time), toward mltiple goal-performance, more simply put, the writing of research papers for two psychology classes I am attending. While I don't watch the entire 60 minutes, I try to catch the end to hear your words of sarcastic wisdom. I especially enjoyed the episode during which you advised to viewers to actually return the junk mail received in their mailbox, that was classic. L8R Sir, hay health and prosperity be with you at least a few more years. My sympathies on the loss of your dear friend, Mr. Kronkite.
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by dst257 August 25, 2009 5:19 PM EDT
Andy,
I grew up in Houston, survived Hurricaine Carla, watched my local newsman Dan eventually take over what I and everyone else in the world consider to be the most revered chair in all of broadcast journalism.
The only newsman I watched more than Dan Rather, was Walter Cronkite.
I can't think of another human being who I admire more.
When I heard him called "the most trusted man in America", I thought to myself, of course, who ELSE could it be?
Now comes the hard part.
I have to tell you something Andy.
I have to tell you something that even your best friend Walter couldn't tell you.
Nose, ear & EYEBROW hair should all be kept trimmed to a neat length.
Excessive length of ANY of them looks, well, less than well groomed.
Buy some clippers, set them on about 5 of 10 and mow those damned face wings.
If that scares you, start at the longest setting, and go over them at each lower setting, until you achieve a level that resembles something not attached by a special effects department.
I like you Andy & I accept you the way you are, but you have been badly served by your friends in the grooming department.
Your HONEST friend, David Starkey, Dallas TX.
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by barbaram99 August 20, 2009 2:14 PM EDT
Andy,
I want to thank ye for yer service to this nation. I also wish the best for ye at this time of lost. Dear 'member the good times ye each shared. I loved to hear Walter tell the news on TV. I learnt his voice as he was the one watched. I am legally blind so learn their voices. Yers Sir I love hear the stores ye tell.
Ye brought up friends. I have one best friend. I thank him for the computer that has opened my world, I was so sad when Walter died. He was apart of who I watched from girlhood to teenage years. I am 54,
I lost my Dad in April and the hardest letter I ever wrote was to my sister who did not know of his passing. Tears fell as I used Word to write the letter and the tears just fell and landed on my notebook computer. I still cry as I love Dad. That letter was the saddest and I never thot that would fall to me,
Andy ye don't need words as friends know. I have a friend and its 26 years.
When ye stood to try to say at the service we watched on TV. It is the gentleman ye are and ye did say it the best, No fancy words, it what ye said that meant the most.
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by elfqq July 28, 2009 9:22 PM EDT
Mr. Rooney,
I have never submitted a comment like this before, but I feel an overwhelming compulsion to voice my thoughts about Walter Cronkite.
First, may I offer my deepest condolences at the loss of your best friend. I know that's one of the hardest things to get through.
Mr.Cronkite exhibited more integrity,character,and courage to keep true to his values than I see in anyone I know of anymore.The world was a better place with him in it, and it seems like much less of one now that he has left us. My wish would be that everyone involved with the Media at CBS,or any other news outlet will always use his example as a guidepost,and a gold standard. The first thing that came to mind when I heard of Mr. Cronkite's passing was: Who do we trust now?

Elaine Finzel
Chardon,Ohio
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by scottmyers63 July 27, 2009 7:21 PM EDT
Andy,

Thanks for your short essay on your best friend, Walter Cronkite. Walter was indeed the best of friends to have whether he was a news anchor or someone who loved sailing. Walter will indeed be missed. Thanks for sharing!

Scott Myers
Mineola, Texas
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by pianolady123 July 27, 2009 5:41 PM EDT
I find that following the death of someone I love, I am flooded with memories and have found that writing them down sooner rather than later is best while the memories are clear. I hope that you will someday chronicle your memories of your friend, Walter Cronkite. I can only imagine the enlightening conversations that the two of you had over the years. My sincere sympathy to you, Andy Rooney, for your loss. He was a dear man who was a familiar face with an all too familiar voice that has been part of my 64 years of life. I, too, will miss him.
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by IMonit July 27, 2009 5:27 PM EDT
Mr. Rooney,
I watched Mr. Cronkite as I grew up and through my adult years. I missed him on the evening news. I always felt at ease nowing Walter was on - Sunday evenings for so many years I tune in to see you. I guess if I could I would love to sit and talk to you and Walter - those pictures of you two on his sailboat - man what a priceless time.

I am sorry for your loss. I don't have many good friends. The one I do have is priceless to me. May God bless Walter and keep you in his care.

Best Wishes.
Ken Hermann
Pittsburgh, PA
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by larry522 July 27, 2009 4:04 PM EDT
Mr. Rooney,

I don't watch you on television much. Please don't take that the wrong way as I very seldom ever watch television.

I've got all of your books, however. You are one of my favorite essayist.

I watched you on Sunday because I knew you would be talking about Cronkite.

You're so right about friends - you can usually count them on one hand. Hearing you talk about Cronkite made me think of a friendship I have here in Cincinnati. We're both newspaper men and we've known each other for a long time. He's my best friend.

Hearing your words made me think of him and reminded me to never take for granted that he'll always be there. Life and death happen. Next time I see him, I'm going to tell him how much he means to me. That's not easy for a newspaper guy to do, but it's time to get the words out.

You're a good man, Mr. Rooney. I'm sorry for your loss.

Larry Gross,
Cincinnati Ohio
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by joaniedeibert July 27, 2009 3:26 PM EDT
Mr. Rooney, you were absolutely WONDERFUL at Uncle Walter's funeral! Becoming emotional is nothing to apologize for ever. Uncle Walter was a great man, you see I remember sitting on his knee as a young child and meeting him again as a teenager thanks to my Uncle Gladwin Hill (you must have known him), wonderful men, both of them, like yourself.

We know you will miss Walter but my oh my, what wonderful memories you have stored away. As the saying goes "words are fleeting, but memories are forever".

God Bless you Mr. Rooney, my husband and I really enjoy watching you on 60 minutes!.
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by MsJune124 July 27, 2009 3:13 PM EDT
Andy:
Listening to your comments about your best friend made me want to hug my two dearest friends in the world. One has been a friend for 40 years and the other 25. I only hope we live long enough to hug when we reach 65 years of friendship!! They are such blessings to me. May you be comforted with the memories of Mr. Cronkite. He was a blessing too.

June Erickson
Madisonville KY
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by jgiles18 July 26, 2009 8:22 PM EDT
Andy:

Your tribute to Walter tonight was very nice. I have listened to both of you guys for years, have admired you both, and have always appreciated your comments. I didn't know but it doesn't surprise me that you were friends!

Jay Giles
A Patriots fan!
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