Though he humbly suggested he didn't belong in the same league as James Dean and Marilyn Monroe, most PBS viewers would agree that Walter Cronkite's inclusion in the "American Masters" pantheon is long overdue. As Cronkite pointed out to critics on Sunday, his memories of being a reporter stretch all the way back to World War II, when he was still with the United Press.

"I even managed to get myself bombed out of my apartment in London just to be sure I experienced all the problems of being a civilian in wartime," he said. He went on to share a tale that illustrated the British reputation of maintaining a stiff upper lip.

Right before an explosion blew out his room, he had called for his breakfast. "Instead, as I got to the door -- the front door of my apartment was down at the end of a hallway -- there, crunching through the glass, was George, the man who took care of us. He was holding up a towel to stop the blood pouring out of his head, or eye, or somewhere," Cronkite said.

"And so help me, he said, as I got to the door, 'Did you ring, sir?'" he finished, making the crowd howl with laughter. "I have a great feeling for the English for that kind of stick-to-it courage."

What Cronkite remembers more fondly was his time anchoring "CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite" and his famous "we are mired in stalemate" editorial regarding the Tet Offensive, in particular. "I think it helped speed the end of that war. That I'm proudest of, " he said (somewhat modestly, we should add; President Johnson announced he would not seek re-election not long after it aired.)

When asked if he would do the same thing today, the man some still know as "Uncle Walter" responded with a quick "Yes," adding that he wishes someone in television news would step up, as he did in 1968.

"I think it's appropriate as long as you clearly point out that, 'The previous broadcast was a news broadcast, but after this commercial, I am going to give you a personal opinion about it.' Make it clear that it is a personal opinion," he said.

He went on to add that such commentary is only permissable "when there is a massive problem among the American people as to how we should proceed in a delicate situation, in which the government does not seem to be able to bring the people to a concerted attitude toward what should go on at that point.

"When you get to that point, and I might note, we're getting there, certainly, if we're not already there in Iraq," he continued, "it seems to me that an individual reporter who has gained a reputation of being honest, as fair as he can be, and helps the American people in trying to make a decision on a big issue, I think he ought to take that opportunity. It is an extraordinary situation, and only an extraordinary situation, which can permit that."

The million dollar question is, who is that person? Cronkite refused to make a suggestion and really, we wonder if he could. No current reporter or anchor instills the iron-clad trust America once had in Cronkite. Today, we're a splintered audience of news consumers.

As one would expect, Cronkite had some idea of what he would say, although he felt the perfect time to say it has passed.

"We had an opportunity to say to the world, and to the Iraqis, after the hurricane disasters, that 'Mother Nature had not treated us well, and we find oursevles … missing the amount of money it takes to help these poor people out of their homeless situations, to help rebuild some of the important cities of the United States. And therefore, we are going to have to bring our troops home,' " Cronkite suggested. "'However, we assure you that our hearts are with you and we're going to do everything we can to help you rebuild and restore this country of yours which we admire so well.'

"I think we would have been able to retire with honor," he added. "In fact, I think we can retire with honor anyway. I don't think it's necessary to honestly say that we are leaving them in the lurch, exactly. We've done all we can, and we're going to have to leave (Iraq) with them someday. … But I think we should get out now."