"And That's the Way It is"

Walter Cronkite ended his nightly CBS newscast with that now familiar phrase. Bruce and I are remembering how it was as we watch the DVD “Cronkite Remembers: A Remarkable Century” In this remarkable 3 DVD set Walter narrates almost 100 years of history, tell delightful fun stories about himself, and shares the inside stories of news stories he had covered.


Bruce received this as a birthday gift from a sister-in-law, a perfect, well thought out gift. We are watching an hour a day at 6 pm because we used to watch news then, we think. There are almost 7 hours, and of course, we will want to watch this again, one can’t gasp it all the first time. Cronkite reporting career covers the years Bruce and I have lived, he was truly a living history lesson.


The film and photos are remarkable, most taken from reports that Cronkite did himself. He tells the background of the information in-depth and often relates what was taking place in the newsrooms behind the camera. Cronkite was a true reporter in every way, he would report from battlegrounds, political conventions, and at crime scenes, wherever the story was he was.


I like so many others always trusted what Cronkite said, took the information as accurate. (Not sure, I can say that now) I will add to this blog as I watch more of the video.

Wednesday note: Walter Cronkite loved the excitement of the space program. He reported many of the first launches using little rather simple tools to illustrate what was happening. That was long before computers and technical tools. He really wanted to go on a real space flight, however that was not to be.

Flying in a B17

Last Friday Bruce had the thrill of flying in a B17 to celebrate his 74th birthday. He belongs to the EAA which sponsors these flights. The following was taken from the offical site:
Fly the Fortress!

EAA is offering historic flight experiences in its beautifully restored B-17G Flying Fortress “Aluminum Overcast.” This aircraft is an example of the American heavy bomber that helped turn the tide of battle in World War II. Fly a mission back in time and feel the might of this magnificent aircraft, just as those brave young men did more than 50 years ago

Bruce thought it very exciting that he could take this flight on his actual birthday, October 16. This event was held at the Olive Branch, MS airport, that is just south of Memphis, TN. The local EAA Chapter was the sponsor of this three-day tour. The official EAA crew flies and maintains the B17, putting on these events across the USA in many different cities.

We drove from home, Springfield, MO, on Thursday to the Harrah’s Casino in Tunica, MS about an hour from the airport. We went early and got the perfect parking spot directly across from the plane. I had a front row seat, and thoroughly loved watching everyone and everything. The members of the local EAA chapter were out polishing the plane; I swear every inch was gone over a dozen times. These guys were all carrying coffee and donuts, and having a good time, sharing stories and milling around.

Check in time was 9:15, flight at 10:15; I think Bruce was first inline. The first part of the tour “briefing” and demo followed by the flight itself. There was 6 paying passengers, plus a 3-member crew on board for a 20-30 minute flight. After they were airborne, they were allowed to walk around, take pictures, and ask questions. Bruce still can’t believe what a small space the nose gunner had to work in.

From my vantage point in the car, it seemed everyone there were over 60...away over. I could only imagine the stories they were sharing of long past days when they were pilots or in the military, etc. One of the passengers was an old man that was using a walker. He sat outside and almost everyone went up to visit with him. Bruce found out that he had flown B29s in some war. Can’t you just imagine what he was thinking when the plane took off? Memories are so precious!

About an hour before the demo started, we heard helicopters overhead. Two military copters landed and out popped young guys in flight suits. They went through the old B17 several times and talked to the older men. They waited and watched the take-off and landing, then flew their copters off. (We didn’t find out if they were National Guard pilots or from what base they were stationed.) It was so touching to observe, the young HEROES of today visiting with the older HEROES of yesterday.

Missouri Ozarks

I thought I might tell a little about my area of the world, SW Missouri. We are truly in the Midwest; although it seems to me, we are in the middle of nowhere. I live in Springfield, which is the third largest MO city, St. Louis and Kansas City being larger. I usually tell people that Springfield is a city that thinks it’s a small country town in lifestyles, culture, and values. It is a great place to raise a family with its good schools, colleges, and community spirit.

In the last 20-30 years, it has become a popular place to retire. Many people move here after retiring from both coasts because the cost of living is so much lower. In addition, the pace of living is slower…much slower. Often people returned to the area because they grew up here and still have family in the area. The weather is inviting to most who like seasonal changes. Our trees turned every possible shade of reds, yellows, browns in the fall with evergreen cedars adding color year around. My favorite season is spring, which is when our hills and yards are beginning to awaken with redbud, dogwood, and Bradford pear trees. Of course, there are parks, golf courses, sports and walking trails to keep our bodies exercised.

Branson, MO is about 30 minute from Springfield. It is definitely a tourist town with music shows and attractions. One favorite is Silver Dollar City, an 1880’s theme park that draws several thousands of visitors each year. Another must do thing when visiting Branson is to do the “Drive the Ducks” tour. Don’t forget the fishing and boating in our lakes, Table Rock and Bull Shoals.

I mustn’t forget shopping and dining, plenty of both to suit everyone’s taste. I like going to the outlets, but my preferred place to window shop is Branson Landing. We like to eat at one of the restaurants that are built by the water so we can watch the boats. Speaking of boats, one can’t come to Springfield and/or Branson without going to Bass Pro Shop. Even if you are not into the great outdoors, it’s a place to go.

I’ll share more about my hometown occasionally on this blog. Meanwhile, as they say in the Ozarks, “You’ll come back” and read Elder Generation

Links for more information:
Springfield, MO~~ http://springfieldmo.org/
Branson, MO~~ http://explorebranson.com/