Final Good-Bye for an Iconic Host

Washington Bureau Chief and Meet the Press host Tim Russert was laid to rest yesterday, after suffering a heart attack last Friday in Washington.

Russert’s funeral was held in Washington with close family and friends, his death brought Senators Barack Obama and John McCain together, as they both, along with the Clintons paid their respect. Later on a memorial service was held at the John Kennedy Center, where fellow journalist and close friends and family said their last good byes to their fallen colleague, friend and father.

Speakers included Maria Shriver, Mario Cuomo, Mike Barnicle and even the nun who taught Russert in the seventh grade. It ended with Russert's 22-year-old son, Luke Russert, "Tim Russert led with his heart, his compassion and most of all his honor," his son said. "I love you, Dad, and in his words, let us all go get 'em!"

MSNBC’s Brian Williams said he always thought Tim Russert name was “Washington Bureau Chief, Meet the Press host Tim Russert.” The crowd laughed and his speech moved on to what a unique individual Russert was.

The Memorial service ended with Luke asking us to imagine a special edition of "Meet the Press" this Sunday in heaven, perhaps with a debate between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr or John F. Kennedy and Barry Goldwater. He even suggested a talk on the need for a new political party involving Teddy Roosevelt.

Tim’s favorite artist and close friend Bruce Springsteen ended the memorial service from Europe said his good-bye and dedicated his song “Thunder Road” to the fallen journalist.

Tim Russert 1950-2008