THE MOST TRUSTED MAN IN AMERICA

Walter Cronkite died last Friday. As I was growing up in the late 50s and 60s, he was the anchor man for the CBS Evening News. Rarely a night went by that we didn't turn on the television to hear his familiar, bass voice resonating with great dignity as he reported the mementous events of the day.

Cronkite earned the title "The Most Trusted Man in America." It was well-deserved. He reported the news without bias and without fear. Walter was unintimidated by presidents and power brokers. He was concerned with the common man and extremely sensitive to the conditions and concerns with which they lived.

When Walter went into the field, he would find the front lines. He shared more than one difficult moment with soldiers in the field, protesters in the streets, families in the aftermath of great disaster.

His voice was indeed respected and heeded. Walter stirred great controversy when he became the first prominent commentator to call for an end to Vietnam War. President Johnson said at the time, "If I have lost Cronkite, I've lost Middle America." Whether you agreed with him or not--it was one more example of his integrity and his courage.

When he left the news desk over two decades ago, a void was created. Few newsmen have since earned the same level of respect and trust. But then, few public leaders have been held in such high esteem. In the weeks to come we will learn more of why he was "The Most Trusted Man in America." Maybe a few more of us need to aspire to such a reputation.