Born in the show me state
In the shadow of the war to end wars
A calm soul entered whose fate
Was to influence the news media’s mores.
In the shadow of the war to end wars
A calm soul entered whose fate
Was to influence the news media’s mores.
It was an article in "Boy’s Life" that
Sparked his journalistic dream
Working on his high school newspaper he hung his hat
As his soul knew he would fulfill his life’s scheme.
Sparked his journalistic dream
Working on his high school newspaper he hung his hat
As his soul knew he would fulfill his life’s scheme.
Working for United Press during World War II
He covered the action from beginning to end
The D-Day invasion and bombing missions he flew
To the folks back home the news he did send.
He covered the action from beginning to end
The D-Day invasion and bombing missions he flew
To the folks back home the news he did send.
After the war television was the thing
Host of "You Are There"
Interviewing "Joan of Arc" was Walter’s sting
Yet pulling it off he made the audience care.
Host of "You Are There"
Interviewing "Joan of Arc" was Walter’s sting
Yet pulling it off he made the audience care.
Next "The Morning Show" on CBS
His partner, a puppet, named Charlemagne
What the executives were thinking was anyone’s guess
Then the series "Twentieth Century" his champagne".
His partner, a puppet, named Charlemagne
What the executives were thinking was anyone’s guess
Then the series "Twentieth Century" his champagne".
A fifteen minute news summary his break
Expanded to a thirty minute broadcast
More depth, variety and content for our sake
The legend began that would always last.
Expanded to a thirty minute broadcast
More depth, variety and content for our sake
The legend began that would always last.
September of 63’ he interviewed JFK, the president
Who gave a hint the war in Vietnam would be stilled
Two months later Walter Cronkite broke a precedent
Announcing with a tear the president had been shot and killed.
Who gave a hint the war in Vietnam would be stilled
Two months later Walter Cronkite broke a precedent
Announcing with a tear the president had been shot and killed.
More tragedy in 68’ the death of Martin Luther King,
Bobby Kennedy. Walter calmed the nation
When only sad songs we could sing.
He told us: "Vietnam is a stalemate" with no elation.
Bobby Kennedy. Walter calmed the nation
When only sad songs we could sing.
He told us: "Vietnam is a stalemate" with no elation.
His enthusiasm for the space race
Won him a moon rock award
"Go Baby Go" as Apollo XI started its chase
To the moon’s backyard.
Won him a moon rock award
"Go Baby Go" as Apollo XI started its chase
To the moon’s backyard.
He even influenced world affairs
When in 77’ he interviewed Anwar El-Sadat
Who agreed to meet Menachem Begin showing each
country cares
A treaty was signed which met quite a lot.
When in 77’ he interviewed Anwar El-Sadat
Who agreed to meet Menachem Begin showing each
country cares
A treaty was signed which met quite a lot.
Walter mostly retired in 81’ with his wife
Spent much time on Martha’s Vineyard, his summer home
Sailing "The Betsy" name after his mate, the love of his life.
Wrote "A Reporter’s Life", a story quite wholesome.
The earthly end has come for Walter
A beautiful life was his
Now with Betsy He’s at heaven’s alter
And that’s the way it is.
A beautiful life was his
Now with Betsy He’s at heaven’s alter
And that’s the way it is.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
