On 5 April 2005, in a remarkable display of courage and serenity, Peter Jennings went on air to announce his lung cancer diagnosis. At the time he proclaimed himself a survivor and a fighter. And, fight he did until he was overcome last night at the age of 67.
For many people around the world, Jennings was a very familiar face – having worked as a foreign correspondent from almost every national capital before assuming the anchor’s chair at ABC News in New York 22 years ago. Tributes to Jennings will no doubt abound today but I prefer only to note two lesser known facts about his celebrated life:
The first is that he was an avid patron of Jazz music who – with his wife Kaycee Freed – hosted the annual “Jazz at Jennings” benefit for the Bridgehampton Child Care Center. And the second is that Jennings was a Canadian who was so moved by the events of 9/11 that he became a naturalized American citizen.
Farewell Peter and thank you for your many years of reporting the news in such a dignified, authoritative and informative manner.
News and Politics
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