"Hello Americans, This is Paul Harvey", A Tribute to A Radio Commentator, and Legend
Posted: Tuesday, March 24, 2009
by Gary W. Halsey Sr.
All Season Karaoke and D.J.
"Hello Americans, This is Paul Harvey" were the words I heard, at exactly 12:00 noon, everyday during my lunch hour when I worked at Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Marine Division, in Sunnyvale, California. I would wash up, and rush out, and plug in my electric lunch box, and get my portable radio out of my locker, and prepare to sit down, and listen to my favorite radio commentator, Paul Harvey. It would put a smile on my face to hear him say "Hello Americans, This is Paul Harvey" in his upbeat tone, and I was ready to listen and learn!
He was born September 4th, 1918, in Tulsa Oklahoma, and passed away on February 28, 2009 and was inducted in the "Radio Hall Of Fame" in 1990. This man was so amazing, and had affected lives across the nation, on the radio from 1951, and was still "On the Air" well into the 21st century. He was a legend in my mind, the ideal radio commentator. Mr. Harvey who inspired me to write was listened to around the nation. Ears were fixed to the radios, at 12:00 noon, everyday where I lived, and I loved his shows, and how informed he was.
He would pause during his statements that he would make, just to let you think about what he just said, and it was very effective. I would do just that....think! He commented about most everything from politics, to religion, current events, and those in the past. In 1976, he started a show called "The Rest Of The Story", that talked abut the little known details and lives of famous people. Mr. Harvey continued working until he was 90 years old, and was just as strong in voice at 90, as when he was in 1951. He was my hero, and I was his faithful listener. You can't put a price tag on the kind knowledge he shared with us all, it was priceless.
I will say that in his commentaries that he would discuss, would become very controversial, and that is what it is all about. He would say what most people wouldn't, and with conviction. He always left the doors open for thought, and "think" I did. Join with me to commemorate his existence and dedication by leaving your condolences for his family on Paul Harvey - 1918 - 2009 . I for one will miss him dearly and will end this tribute by saying "This is Gary Halsey, .......Good Day"!!
This Article has been viewed 3,393 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Wonderful tribute, Gary. I loved his "the rest of the story" broadcasts my entire life. His was the voice of radio, and there are none to replace him.Great job, Gary.Thanks Ken, I used to love to listen to this guy, and I would listen every day, without fail......I could be on a boating or skiing trip, and I would still have to listen to my program "Paul Harvey".....He was one of a kind, and the only other Radio personality that I liked was "Wolfman Jack", he was a great DJ......two legends...wow.....Thanks for the review....and the comment, you friend in pen....Gary.
I've always loved his radio programme, called "The Rest Of The Story". Your article made me look him up on the internet and I didn't realize that Harvey was his middle name. His last name was Aurandt.I'm sure I heard "The Rest Of The Story" on radio the other day, done by his son Paul Harvey, Jr. Was I hearing that correctly?Yes indeed David, it was his son....Paul Harvey Jr. He I believe will be following his dad's footsteps, although he has some pretty big shoes to fill. He was one of my favorites. I went to the hot link that I have in the article, and in their website, they have a place where you can offer the family your condolences.....I left mine there....the writers and the commentators must stick together, especially the calibur of Mr. Harvey. I wrote him a letter back in the sixties, and he inticed me to write..encouraged it....and so I still am....and always will.....thanks for reading and commenting....I need to make my rounds to revies...but I was telling Ken that I was working a load of overtime right now, and my ratings are falling badly, and its a little frustrating...so I guess I will have to stay up later at nights to write my articles...!!! whew.....I do appreciate our comments, and I will be by to see what you have, sorry I haven't been there everyday...but this overtime is really beating me up...lol....its a dirty job, but someone has to do it!!!! Your pal, and friend in pen......and fan.....Gary....oh, have you been checking around about publishing....?? hee..hee..hee...I have to keep the cattle prod going!!!! ha haha
Hi Gary, this is a wonderful tribute. I must say, I am sorry I missed out. I heard of him, but not once have I heard him. Maybe they will broadcast reruns like they do with J. Vernon MgGee I I can catch it then. Thanks for a heartwarming tribute. Blessings to you dear friend! TeresaThanks Teresa, I listened to him for years, and remember back to 1951 when my mom used to listen to him....his styles didn't change much, but he was a very effective commentator. In the 60's, I wrote him a letter, he read it over the air, and asked me to keep writing....wow, that coming from him....inspired me to start with poetry....I have been writing every since....his son is just a gracious, and he was a God fearing American....and loved his savior......Thanks for you kind response and comments, you know it means the world to me.....Your fan, friend in pen.......Gary.
Can someone provide me with the words of either "The Wedding Prayer" or the "Marriage Prayer" which Paul Harvey broasdcast many times?Hi Frank, is this the one you are looking for that Paul aired? see below....The Wedding Prayer
Lord, let me be his sunshine when the skies are dark and gray,
Let me be his comfort when he's had a long, hard day.
Let me be a shelter when the wind is harsh and cold.
Let me be submissive when the rest on earth are bold.Lord, let me be her fortress in the face of every storm.
Let me, in a calloused world; be sensitive and warm.
Let me be her leader when there's weakness all around.
Let me be her hero when all others let her down.Lord, let me be a pillow when he's tired and needs a rest.
Let me be assurance when he's faced with some hard test.
Let me listen softly when the world is pressing in.
Let me understand when no one else can comprehend.Lord, let me be her pillar when she needs somewhere to lean.
Let me be committed with a heart that's true and clean.
Let me be attentive when there's something on her mind.
Let me lead her wisely when an answer's hard to find.Lord, let me walk beside him when he needs to have a friend.
Let me be something real in a world of false pretense.
Let me sing sweet music when his heart's without a song.
Let me be his loving joy each moment, all day long.Lord, let me leave the pressures of the day outside my door.
Lord, let me be unselfish always willing to give more.
Let my love be real to her each moment, all the time.
Lord Jesus, make me worthy of the hand I hold in mine.I hope that is one of the same....thanks for the comments, and the read...your friend in pen.....Gary
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.