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posted 07-18-2009 02:41 AM            

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He was pretty much the only US Newsman who was both trusted and admired by Canadians - who as a group demand the very highest standards for their Journalists.

As such, we were always tuned to CBS or a Canadian news that used the CBS feed whenever a space item was in the news. I can still remember his reaction to the "Small Step", and as a boy, I figured if HE was so affected by it, then my own feelings must be ok too!

And that's the way it was!

Godspeed Walter

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posted 07-18-2009 07:04 AM               

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As someone who grew up in the 1980s, my strongest associated memory of Walter Cronkite is to his narration of the IMAX film "The Dream is Alive". I can quote full scenes, complete with his distinctive inflection.

I was aware and came to greatly appreciate his role as CBS anchor, especially, like so many others, his coverage of the moon landings, but "The Dream is Alive" is my first solid memory of hearing his voice as it brought out the drama in spaceflight.

I never had the chance to meet him, a missed opportunity I will always regret because given my nontraditional path into journalism, his style loosely served as a model as I developed my own "voice".

I do however own "his" binoculars.

I only have the store owner's word for this, but while on a family trip to Mystic Seaport in Connecticut, I was shopping for a pair of binoculars. I saw a pair behind the counter at one of the stores, and inquired about them.

The store owner said they were being held for Walter Cronkite, who had asked the store order them. He then thought for a moment and said that Cronkite wasn't due back for a few more days, and that he could order another set in time, so he could sell that pair to me. I bought them.

For all I know, the store owner could have been using the story as a sale's tactic, but as I was more interested in the binoculars for their use then who they might belong to, I really didn't need much convincing.

If the story was true, I hope that Cronkite got the pair he desired, if for no other reason than to be able to share that small connection with him.

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From: Virginia
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posted 07-18-2009 07:42 AM               

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Walter Cronkite was in my home every weekday throughout the 60's and 70's. His presence during my childhood and teen years was stronger than anyone today can comprehend with our overwhelming sources of news. His appreciation of the space program was very contagious to the boy that I once was.

He will be surely missed.

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posted 07-18-2009 10:39 AM               

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The admiration Mr. Cronkite has in his eyes as he looks at the LEM model (the first picture in this thread) says it all. You can tell right away from that picture how much he loved the space program (and Apollo in particular).

We all are very fortunate that two fantastic things occurred in our lifetime: 1) Men landed on the moon. 2) Walter Cronkite was there to report it. Doesn't get any better than that!!

We will all miss you my friend.

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posted 07-18-2009 12:57 PM               

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Those of us who will be in Washington DC this weekend may want to go to the Newseum to pay tribute to Walter Cronkite. The Newseum's website reports that:

Cronkite was a frequent participant in Newseum programs. His contributions to journalism are explored in these Newseum galleries:

• A special video of Cronkite is featured on the giant screen in the New York Times-Ochs-Sulzberger Family Great Hall of News.
  
• The News Corporation News History Gallery features exhibits on Cronkite's life and career.
  
• The Bloomberg Internet, TV and Radio Gallery offers video excerpts of Cronkite's coverage of the space race, President John F. Kennedy's assassination and the historic Apollo 11 moon landing.

I was at the taping of Newseum's Apollo 8 broadcast in November. Their new venue is a fitting place to remember America's freedom of the press and to remember one of America's most influential journalist/newscasters.

As a sad coincidence, I'm sure that host Nick Clooney will offer an appropriate memorial for Walter Cronkite (such as a moment of silence...) during Monday's taping of the Apollo discussion at the Newseum.

As was posted on the Newseum's website:

In an age when a growing number of viewers now turn to comedy TV shows for "fake" news, Cronkite -- "Uncle Walter" to his loyal fans -- was the real deal.

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posted 07-18-2009 06:27 PM               

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I was fortunate enough to have met Walter Cronkite about 8-10 years ago, when he hosted the year-opening of the Army Twilight Tattoo which was held on The Ellipse (in front of the White House) in Washington DC. Before the performance started, Walter was standing around talking with a bunch of generals, I was standing about 15 feet away holding his autobiography, when one of the generals saw me, interrupted his counterparts, and said "Excuse me Sir, but I think this gentleman is waiting for you".

At that, Mr. Cronkite excused himself, walked over to me, asked my name and then autographed his book. There really was not much time for me to talk to him, though, as the performance was getting ready to start.

Rest in Peace, Sir, you will be missed...

Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 07-18-2009 08:09 PM               

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My first thought is to leave the "period" a the honored moment of silence here on collectSPACE, and leave it at that. You all have said it all so well... and the TV/radio and coverage here does it all so very well.

I don't find anyone mentioning the program he hosted, "The Twentieth Century" on CBS, with the veritable Rock of Gibraltar as its logo.

And, of course, with his passing coming this week during the anniversary of Apollo 11 makes it all so much more poignant.

I wrote to Mr. Cronkite only once... well after Apollo 11. And I was rewarded with a black and white glossy photograph suitable inscribed personally to me. A cherished item to be sure, from one of the men who I grew up with on television... who taught us all so very much.

Rest in peace. And enjoy the view from "up there!"

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From: Rochester, NY, USA
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posted 07-18-2009 10:51 PM               

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Back in the day when spaceflight coverage was on all day on the big three networks, no one held my interest like Walter Cronkite and Wally Schirra. I'd sit for hours in front of the TV with my reel to reel tape recorder and record everything they said. Thanks Walter for being a huge part of my childhood memories! Say hello to Wally, Gus, Ed, Roger, Al, Gordo, Deke, Pete, Elliott, Charlie...and of course all the other astronauts who left us too soon.

All of your Space Flight coverage, but mostly your Apollo 11 telecasts will last in our minds forever!

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posted 07-19-2009 04:01 PM            

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I have seen on several places on the internet where people are suggesting that the crater LCROSS will make at the end of its mission should be named in honor of Cronkite. I think this is a great idea!

RIP Walter

Posts: 110
From: San Antonio, TX
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 07-19-2009 04:02 PM               

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Someone so iconic, yet so readily able to communicate the joy of the new frontier to all of us.

RIP.

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
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posted 07-19-2009 04:09 PM               

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quote:

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Originally posted by SpaceDust:
I have seen on several places on the internet where people are suggesting that the crater LCROSS will make at the end of its mission should be named in honor of Cronkite.

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While a nice idea, I think we could do better in Cronkite's memory.

The LCROSS crater will be a relative dimple within a larger crater, which already has a name. If memorials are to be long lasting, it would seem that the name "Cronkite" is deserving of at least a larger crater, where in the future people might visit and recall his legacy.

An alternative idea might be to rename Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) after Cronkite. LRO delivered to millions of computer screens the first glimpses of Tranquility Base, just as Cronkite did for televisions 40 years ago. I cannot help but think that Cronkite, as a reporter, would appreciate his name being associated with the spacecraft scouting the way for future moon landings.