Twenty-three years ago I watched Johnny Carson bid farewell to America upon his retirement.

Tonight, I watch a fellow Ball State University alum, David Letterman, take his leave from the stage.

This is kind of sad. For nearly 50 years, I enjoyed both Johnny Carson and David Letterman’s late night shows. 

As a young child, I never required much sleep, and often watched Johnny Carson with my mother.  None of my friends at Washington elementary school new who Johnny Carson was.  Heck, I remember when Tiny Tim married Miss Vicky.

When I got to college, I joined my friends nearly every night to watch David Letterman show.  Quite often, he would shout out to his alma mater, bringing cheers from those gathered in the main lounge of the honors college dorm.

I will certainly miss David Letterman each evening.  Behind his great humor, and hilarious, and sometimes goofy antics, David Letterman is a   great man of compassion.