Walter Cronkite died yesterday in his home with his family around him. It's been reported that he died of cerebrovascular disease. I wasn't sure what that was so I looked it up. I found that it is a disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain. For a man of 92 I suppose that's not so unusual.I grew up watching the news with Walter Cronkite. He long ago was established as an American icon; the voice of American news. He had a way of reporting that was not only professional but he strived to always present the news with objectivity and accuracy...something that is rarely seen today. His voice was very distinctive and you could recognize it was him speaking even if you weren't watching the broadcast. Being a no-nonsense type of persona, I've read that off camera he was nicknamed "Old Ironpants". And in 1972 and 1974 polls voted him the most trusted man in America.
I'm not an expert on Walter Cronkite's career but the man lived through and reported to us on so many key events in our history, it's no wonder he felt like a member of our families. Millions of families tuned into his news cast every night. And it was Walter that announced it when John F Kennedy was shot...interrupting a live CBS broadcast of a soap opera to do it. The nation watched this man make the announcement of Kennedy's death...watched him as he struggled not to break down; removing his glasses and fighting back tears. And we cried with him.
Walter Cronkite was there to report Martin Luther King assassination; Watergate; the moon landing...just to name a few. He actually was there for so many events I couldn't possibly know them all or list them. And he was the first television reporter to be referred to as an anchorman. (Swedish anchors are known as "Kronkiters" and in Holland, "Cronkiters".)
But to me and millions of others Walter will always be known for the closing line he used at the end of each CBS news broadcast..."And That's the Way It Is".
Good bye Walter and thank you.
