We reflect, we look back and shake our heads, but as a communicator I've observed with great interest the level of remembrance exhibited on the televised tributes and memorials. And by that I mean the eulogies.
Yesterday I watched with misty eyes as Ted Kennedy Jr. remembered his father at the late Senator's funeral. His eloquence, eye contact and powerful use of storytelling should be a lesson for any presenter. I, myself, had always been a bit iffy where Ted Sr. was concerned (Chappaquiddick anyone?); but after hearing his son's moving anecdote of Ted Sr. helping him climb a hill after losing a leg to bone cancer, he suddenly became a regular father to me. The image of a shady 1969 politician possibly having an affair on the side was suddenly wiped away in my mind.
Ted Jr.'s eulogy personalized his father and brought him to a level that the rest of us could better understand. He triggered the emotions of audiences around the world by offering an inside look of what was beneath John and Bobby's brother and one of the most influential politicians in Washington.
-Kelly
I too was moved to tears at Ted, Jr.'s eulogy for his father. This has been a horrible year, as far as deaths of esteemed people go. Uncle Walter(Cronkite) brought us the news and we listened intently, no infotainment, just the news ma'am. Don Hewitt gave us the term "news anchor" as well as "60 Minutes." He was well remembered and will be missed. Now the news that Charlie Gib- son will be retiring. Ah, things will never be the same, but that's life. Nothing lasts forever. Pity.
Posted by: Deekay | September 03, 2009 at 05:40 PM