2 presidents, celebrants swap war stories at Cronkite memorial

NEW YORK — By all accounts, Walter Cronkite would have loved the war stories swapped and memories rekindled at his memorial service. All that was missing was a bar.

Instead, there were two presidents, broadcasting royalty, a man who walked on the moon and a drummer for the Grateful Dead.

President Barack Obama called Cronkite "a voice of certainty in a world that was growing more and more uncertain," capping a gathering of old friends and colleagues Wednesday at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall. Cronkite, who defined television journalism during his reign at CBS News, died July 17 at age 92.

It was more mirthful than mournful. Celebrants spoke not only of Cronkite's dedication to the news and instinctive understanding of his role in society, but also of his love of sailing and family and unexpected relationships — like becoming good friends with drummer Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead.

Another drinking buddy and sailing partner was singer Jimmy Buffett, who performed "Son of a Son of a Sailor" at the memorial. Buffett shared a memory of seeking some advice for a mutual friend, the late "60 Minutes" correspondent Ed Bradley. After a sail, "the sun was down, the rum was out, and I said, 'Walter, Ed called me and he's thinking about wearing an earring on '60 Minutes.' "

Buffett said Cronkite responded: "It doesn't matter if he wears an earring, as long as it's a good story." Then Cronkite added impishly: "If I was going to wear an earring on '60 Minutes,' I'd wear one of those big, long, dangly ones."

Cronkite anchored "The CBS Evening News" from 1962 until 1981, a period that included the Vietnam War, the space race, the assassinations of John and Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., and Watergate.

During his decades at CBS, Cronkite came to be known as "the most trusted man in America."

Stories were passed to illustrate how Cronkite was "a true gent," as CBS Corp. chief Leslie Moonves said. CBS News President Sean McManus said how much it meant to his father, the late ABC Sports anchor Jim McKay, to get a telegram from Cronkite congratulating him for his work covering the Munich Olympics massacre in 1972.