There were so many speeches, with so much information and stories in each, that it’s tough to narrow it down to just a few choice quotes. But here’s a glance at 10 of the key moments from the memorial today (in the order they were said):
• “The Cronkite tradition is alive and well at CBS News.”
Sean McManus, after saying Walter Cronkite IV is an intern in CBS News’ D.C. bureau.
• “At the time, I could have done with a picture with Walter Cronkite.”
Former Pres. Bill Clinton, who said Cronkite asked Clinton and his family to join him on a boat ride in Martha’s Vineyard during the summer of 1998.
• “They just stood up, because that’s what you do when a gentleman is leaving the room.”
Nick Clooney, describing his last dinner with Cronkite in March. When Cronkite left the restaurant, the other patrons stood up.
• “Who is this? It’s Walter Cronkite, for God’s sakes! How quickly they forget.”
Tom Brokaw, relaying what Cronkite said to him after he answered the phone with a “Who is this?” following an interview Brokaw conducted with Mikhail Gorbachev.
• “With respect to my late husband, Jay, I was never as excited to go out on a date than I was that night.”
Katie Couric, describing her first meeting with Cronkite in the summer of 2006.
• “One of the best parts about giving an award to Walter was he always liked it. He was genuinely appreciative.”
Andy Rooney, talking about Cronkite’s penchant for receiving – and enjoying receiving – various awards. This was one of the many highlights of Rooney’s taped message.
• “Linda, I think we should make those changes, and not because it’s a women’s lib thing.”
CBS VP Linda Mason, on what Cronkite told her after she suggested some changes to his report. Mason was the first producer at the CBS Evning News.
• “Couldn’t you tell them to come over here? I’m trying to get a drink and I don’t want to lose my place in line.”
Bob Schieffer, describing a situation at a book party when he tried to pull Cronkite over for a picture with Brokaw, Peter Jennings and Dan
• “Hello Mr. President, are you going to take your flu shot?”
More from Schieffer. This story, about the fierce competition with Barbara Walters, referred to a “get” by Walters, who interviewed Pres. Ford in an exclusive for the Today show. But Cronkite got a chance to say hi to the President, and used the opportunity to get his own exclusive, which aired ahead of Walters’.
• Here’s Pres. Obama’s comments about Cronkite and the media in general:
• More from Mediaite’s Twitter Feed
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