If any of you are near my age then you grew up listening and watching certain people that we grew to trust and admire. It could have been sports stars who played more for the love of the game than the money. It could have been government leaders who inspired us, or movie stars who entertained us. It could have been singers and dancers who displayed their talent in an honorable manner and in such a way that the whole family could sit down and watch or listen to them.

Names like Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Gene Kelly, Joe DiMaggio, Jackie Robinson, come to mind, just to name a few. Shows like The Red Skelton Hour, Ed Sullivan Show, Andy Griffith Show, and the list could go on and on regarding wholesome entertainment that was available. It was nothing like the junk that is on today. Part of that special time was the people involved, like Red Skelton who ended each show with a "Good Night, and God Bless." It could have been Carol Burnett tugging at her earlobe as she ended her variety program.

We looked forward to the news programs to see what was going on in the world, and we felt comfortable with the likes of Huntley and Brinkley, Harry Reasoner, and especially Walter Cronkite who came into many a home on the CBS Evening News. Now It's hard to keep track of all the "newscasters" who seem more concerned with making the news instead of just reporting the news.

The reason behind these fond memories is the recent passing of Paul Harvey, legendary radio host. I believe there are few people in this country who have not heard a Paul Harvey broadcast. I know a lot of people had their noon meal listening to him, or their evening meal. My old friend Melvin Pollard's children told me that growing up they couldn't sit down to a meal until Daddy, heard Paul Harvey. He died Saturday at the age of 90, having broadcast "The Rest of the story" for over 50 years. His show began each day with the familiar greeting. "Hello Americans, this is Paul Harvey," and separated the segments with commercials by stating "Page Two." There was usually some news, some strange stories, and a lot of humor. His program waskind of a special lift to carry you through the day. He always signed off by saying a forceful, "Paul Harvey, good day." He will be missed as so many others have been missed. It seems as if part of America dies with them when we lose these special people, there are so few of them left.