Friday, July 17, 2009

The Evening News

When I heard Walter Cronkite passed away today, I thought about all the news he brought into our home over the years.

My folks were always glued to the television when he was on CBS and us kids were expected to sit down, be quiet and pay attention to events around the globe, because, as he always said, "That's the way it is."

As a kid, I felt really comfortable watching Walter Cronkite.  He reminded me of a nice grandfather type and he talked slowly and deliberately, and a lot of the time, I actually understood what he was saying.  Or rather, I realized how important the news stories were based on his emotions.  If Walter Cronkite's voice cracked, or on the rare occasion, his anger showed thorough, well, I paid attention.

I remember vividly the Apollo 11 Mission reported by Walter Cronkite.  And I remembered his reporting when John Kennedy was shot.  Later, when I was older, I remembered the Iran Hostage crisis because he counted the numbers of days, every night, starting at Day 50. And, I still remember the hostages were freed after 444 days because of his count.

The first time I ever saw a man really crying, tears pouring down his face, was David Brinkley when he reported Chet Huntley, his long time partner on the NBC Huntley-Brinkley Report, had died in 1974.  I was about 14 at the time.  I'd seen tears of joy and excitement but never tears of grief.  My heart broke for him.  

Whenever I'd hear the Walton's "Good night John Boy", I thought they'd borrowed it from Huntley and Brinkley-- "Good night, David.  Good night, Chet.  And good night night for NBC News.

Now all three are gone and I'm sad.  I feel like old friends have passed.  My heart is with their families and friends. 

Do you have memories of the evening news?

Welcome to The Fifty Factor  -  Joanna
PS  Check out Lulu's Giveaway - See sidebar's top right button!

23 comments:

  1. I was saddened too when I heard about Walter Cronkite's passing. He was truly an American icon. I don't have any specific memories of him reporting specific stories, but probably because he was just always there, I was so used to seeing him almost every night! Thanks for sharing this today, you really got how big of a loss this is for the industry, and for America. Thanks so much for visiting my blog today, it was lovely to meet you!

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  2. I just heard about his passing. He was a man on integrity and shared the news honestly and with care, not the drama that we see so much of today.

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  3. I always found his voice and mannerisms very comforting.

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  4. We called him, Uncle Walter at our house. And, the day he handed over the reigns to a you guy named Dan Rather, was the day I stopped watching the evening news.

    There will never be another one like him, or them that you mentioned. They come from an era when the media understood that their job was to report the news, not make it.

    When they were not be be taking sides and slanting things to the left or right. Just report the facts.

    I'm very sad that this man of integrity and professionalism has left us. Sadder still that there are few who are good enough to fill the void.

    And, that's the way it is this 17th of July, 2009. Good night.

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  5. I had no idea he had passed away until I read this. It shows how wrapped up in my own pity party of being laid off.

    I don't necessarily have a particular memory other than that my dad watched him religiously and that was the sound that was always heard each and every day. It was a comforting sound to hear Walter Cronkite's voice.

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  6. was sad to hear of his passing as well. i had similar feelings watching him as a kid. and dan rather. and tom brokaw. i remember the big ones...katrina, 9/11, presidential elections...hearing the emotions in their voice as they tried to remain poised...

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  7. I just heard about this from you. How sad. My heart goes out to his family too.

    I don't watch the news anymore. I just posted about that fact. I get most of my important info. from awesome bloggers like you.

    Big hugs and love,
    GEM

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  8. Know the name but that's all....

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  9. He was the top story on the Canadian news channel tonight and they did a lengthy recap of his life, a well respected man.

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  10. I'm a baby boomer so my first memories of the news was the VietNam War and Walter Cronkite coming into our livingrooms after dinner. We only got 3 stations in those days and he was the one to watch. I don't believe we develop the same relationship with the TV anchors now.

    On another note, I just read on Lulu's Sandbar that you too are an avid reader. I'll be looking for your suggestions. That was the subject of my blog today. I'll be back.

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  11. He was a respectful man. I remember watching him, but don't have any specific memories of certain stories. He will be greatly missed. Thanks for your post and thanks for your kind words on my post today!

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  12. In Dallas, years ago, they had an African American newcaster named Iola Johnson. She was very hip, and used words like "rip-off" when talking about stealing, etc.
    Funny the things you remember!

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  13. I was shocked and saddened when Tim Russert of Meet the Press passed on. He was 58.

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  14. Walter spanned that period when the world got noticeably and progressively smaller so, in Europe, I feel close enough to miss him, too. He had that rare ability to communicate news rather than just read it.

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  15. I was shocked, although my husband reminded me he was 92. But what a life! All the things, the milestones he reported on. Yes, he voice is one of those that makes you listen. Much like Andy Rooney.

    Beautiful post.

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  16. I believe he set a standard for broadcast journalism that has yet to be matched in many, many years. Think about the stories he is sharing in Heaven right now.

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  17. This has certainly been a summer of some big time losses. I don't think I will ever forget Walter's voice. I can still hear it clearly in my mind.

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  18. I do! I remember those evenings that we all sat around as a family and watched the news

    sigh. I remember David, Chet and Walter. It's the changing of the guard, isn't it?


    sigh.

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  19. Aww, Walter Cronkite! I guess it's the end of an era!

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  20. And now, none of the upcoming generation of anchors will know what serious, factual reporting really is. I was barely aware of the news when he signed off in the 80s, but I do remember it being a big deal.

    I also remember a time when watching the news wasn't a political act. It was just informative. *sigh* Such simple times; little did we know!

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  21. Talking "slowly and deliberately" is a great thing. I have known a couple of such talkers and I always remember them for their careful words. Of course, the opposite is terrible, "fast and indeterminably", it drives the rest of us up the wall.

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  22. This is a beautiful post, Joanna. Thank you so much.

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