SHE REMEMBERED.

(Raleigh, NC) Former CNN and WRAL-TV "Action News 5" Anchor Bobbie Battista.

The older I get, the more complete my life becomes. Sure, I have the most beautiful and downright sexy wife in at least fourteen states -- and I have three absolutely adorable daughters. And for me, life couldn't be more perfect.

Less than two weeks after the birth of my third daughter, Catherine Grace, I was invited to attend the WRAL Reunion newscast by my friend and broadcasting mentor, Tom Suiter.

At first, I thought he was joking. This was something that I had daydreamed about for years. Kind of like a Southern Baptist "Homecoming" at church -- I always dreamed of a reunion of sorts for the lengends of the old Action News 5 team.

Tom wasn't joking, of course. More heartfelt was being told by this icon I was the "first person" he thought of when they told him about the reunion newscast.

That's the great thing about Tom Suiter -- he has always championed the little guy. Tom has been more than kind to me over the years. He is a big reason that I pursued my passion for news and broadcasting in the manner I did. I credit him with much of the enthusiasm I had, and helping me channel the energy I had for the business in a more positive fashion. (You see, I was often the outcast in junior high and high school. I annoyed the absolute crap out of just about everyone when it came to my WRAL fetish.)

Still, Tom showed an extreme amount of patience with me throughout the years. I'm sure he became annoyed as well with my over indulgence and exuberance. Being the professional he was, Tom still put up with me -- even to the point of letting me intern on WRAL's Football Friday for three different seasons.

Tom's kindness means more to me than many will ever know. He is really a humble guy. Being invited to this function meant more to me than going to meet practically anyone. These were the legends. They were my heroes. Tom knew that. He would probably cringe at this -- but -- he too, is one of those heroes.

So, how did I become so insanely crazy over a local television news team, anyway? Well ... it starts more than 25 years ago. The "News People" -- Charlie Gaddy, Bobbie Battista, Bob DeBardelaben, and Tom Suiter were the stars of Action News 5.

These anchors appeared larger than life to almost anyone. In a small town like Henderson, their star power was only magnified. Sprinkle that on top of an impressionable child all of 5 or 6 years old -- and you have in the makings something that made these people more recognizable and important than any movie star of the time could dream of being.

I remember every evening sitting on my Dad's lap -- enjoying the early evening lineup of "The Andy Griffith Show," and "Gomer Pyle USMC." Then came the real treat -- Action News 5. At an early age, my heart melted for Bobbie Battista. The blond was a bombshell to me. I lived for seeing the 6 o'clock news more than I did my favorite cartoon -- Scooby-Doo!

Then, the unthinkable happened. My Dad came home one evening to tell me the news. I remember it. Honest to God! I remember it like it was yesterday -- "Son, I've got some bad news." We were in the Kitchen. I remember asking him "What?" He told me "Bobbie Battista is leaving channel 5."

At first, I didn't believe him. Forget the fact I was only 7 years old. I just simply thought it was a joke. Finally, reality set in. Silly as it may have seemed, I started to cry. You know, even though she was heading to CNN -- no one knew what that was in 1981. In my mind, I would never see her again. You could have told the biggest Elvis fan the King was dead and not gotten a bigger sense of loss from them as I had that day.

Little did I know how things were about to change in a big way.

My Aunt happened to work at the Wake County Courthouse and regularly fielded calls from Reporters about different court cases. One day after announcing she was leaving, my Aunt received a call from Bobbie inquiring about one of those cases.

After helping her, she asked her if she had a minute to share something with her. She told her how devastated I was over her leaving WRAL. Obviously touched, or just simply trying to be a good TV Personality, she suggested my Aunt bring me by to meet her before she departed for Atlanta.

I'll never forget rushing from Henderson to Raleigh the evening of Bobbie's final WRAL newscast. We met my Aunt, who had purchased two long-stemmed red roses for me to give to Bobbie.

Off to the races, I remember waiting in the lobby of WRAL's Western Boulevard studios during the 6 o'clock news. After it's conclusion, I saw the others leave one-by-one -- Charlie Gaddy, Bob DeBardelaben. Finally, she appeared.

A rush of emotions came over me. Obviously awe-struck, I clammed up. Go figure. Shyness overtook me and I simply didn't utter but a few words here and there.

Remarkably, Bobbie crouched down to look at me on my level. She talked to me asking me who knows what all. I gave her the two roses. Ever the humble, gracious host, I remember her laughing with my Mom and Aunt.

Finally, it was time to go. I ran to the door. To my shock and surprise, Bobbie crouched back down opened up her arms and said "Come give me a Kiss."

Now, folks, let's think about this -- Bobbie Battista was -- in my eyes -- a superstar. She was larger than life. A bigger fixture than Catherine Bach in Daisy Dukes. More beautiful to me than Farrah Faucette, Jacqueline Smith, or Linda Carter. And here she was, arms open allowing me to plant one on her.

Shy that I was, there was no way I was going to pass that up. I ran back to her and kissed her on the cheek. Probably red as a beet, I remember the laughs and the "Awwww" that I heard from Bobbie, and the few people around.

That small encounter in 1981 would have a profound impact on the direction my life would take going forward. I never lost my love for the news. I especially never lost my love for WRAL.

So, in 1989, when Tom Suiter was flying in on Sky 5 to then Vance Senior High School, I made sure I was in a place to meet the "Legend." Tom would help cultivate my interest even further in broadcasting. I'd love to share that story here -- but -- it'll have to wait for another post.

Fast-forward to November 17, 2006. I return to the Western Boulevard studios and sit in the all new digital WRAL newsroom. About 15 minutes before the "reunion" newscast, I again became awe-struck. There they were -- for the first time in 25 years -- Charlie Gaddy and Bobbie Battista reading over their scripts for the special newscast.

I soaked it in. Every bit. Over on the other side of the studios, in the WRAL Weather Center, the venerable "Biggest Name in Weather" -- Bob DeBardelaben was looking around. A lot had changed in the 17 years after Bob retired. There was no "Doppler 5000." A "Viper?" What's a "Viper?" Heck, when Bob retired, color radar hadn't been out that long.

Then, two minutes to six, the legends walked over. Charlie and Bobbie, side by side, IFBs in place -- a producer making sure Bobbie's was firmly taped to the back of her jacket -- watching and listening as Pam Saulsby (Gaddy's last "TV wife") wrapped up the 5:30 edition.

After a montage of clips of Action News 5, the familiar 21st century "WRAL News" opener started. And there they were: "Good Evening, I'm Charlie Gaddy." "And I'm Bobbie Battista."

I swear to you, I had chill bumps. Was I dreaming? Did Jim Goodman really pull off something I had simply dreamed of during boring lectures at UNCG and biology classes in High School?

Wrapping up the newscast, new met old as current members of the WRAL News team stood behind the legends to close out this special. Afterwards, I managed to take some candid shots and capture some video footage of these legends talking with the people in the newsroom.

Once we made it over to the reception afterwards, I captured some more shots. Then finally, when things had settled down a bit, I made my way over to Bobbie.

25 years later, I wanted to thank her for taking the time to meet a 7 year old child. I especially wanted to let her know how she had helped me develop an efection for the news -- and give her some credit for helping me become successful.

I shared with her my story. With a glowing smile, she said "I remember that!" She remembered. Bobbie Battista, one of the original anchors of CNN, a WRAL Legend, and a hero of my childhood said she remembered me coming as a child on her final newscast -- and the roses.

Whether she did or not, I'll never know for sure. Later on, however, when I came back to ask for a picture with her, she began telling everyone at her table of me giving her the roses. Flattered, I probably blushed a little.

With her husband snapping the camera for me, she wished me well, and I thanked her for her gracious nature again. Tom walked me out, and that was it.

I walked away from WRAL awe-struck once again. As I reflected on things, it hit me how fortunate I am. I've lived my dream. I became what even teachers in High School said I would never become. I anchored and reported news in the 43rd largest radio market in the country.

There are many people who "dream" of doing something. They may even go to school and get a degree to help them achieve that dream. Unfortunately, many never even get close to it.

My dream was to be a news anchor and reporter. I did it. I lived my dream. I did it with help from people like Tom Suiter. When other kids were focused on what to wear and what date they were going on Friday night, I was reciting phony news scripts in the mirror of my bedroom.

And -- it paid off. Life has only gotten better through time. I'm married to a beautiful, beautiful woman who loves me and I cherish very much. My three daughters are my life. I love them with every fiber of my being. I love the career change I made -- moving into Human Resources -- and I never really look back on broadcasting. It's not something I have to prove to myself anymore.

I feel as if I am living the good life. And -- to top it all off -- I got to relive a part of my childhood that put me where I am today. That is both humbling, and exciting all at the same time.

To top it all off -- Bobbie Battista, WRAL Legend -- She remembered.

Randy Gupton, fivesecondstoair.blogspot.com

GOODBYE, MAX.

"You don't want the federal government to be your first-responders. The government can't do everything for people and it shouldn't, or else you create a culture of dependence." -- Outgoing National Hurricane Center Head Max Mayfield

Max Mayfield is ending his tenure as head of the National Hurricane Center. There are rarely few people that are heralded in Public Service the way this calm, resolute man has been.

There for us during some of the most active Hurricane seasons the last few years, Mayfield exemplified a professionalism that every American could appreciate.

His warnings 48 to 72 hours out before Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast fell on deaf ears. Still, 12 hours before landfall, Mayfield made one last ditch push to the Governor of Louisiana to warn of the impending doom to New Orleans.

Still resolute in his predictions, Mayfield faced red tape from all levels of local and state government. He would later say that final phone call had to be made before he put his head down at night. I recall an interview in which Mayfield wanted to make sure he had done everything possible to avoid as much death and destruction that was sure to be forthcoming.

In the days after the disaster, Mayfield was the one person that was immune from the finger pointing. He was virtually the only person government officials were praising. It was with good reason.

Now, Mayfield can leave the post he's held while still raising the flag of impending doom. In an article (link below) Mayfield warns of the resistance of builders, residents, and local governments to prepare for a larger disaster than Katrina.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-hurricane3jan03,0,3253020.story?coll=la-home-headlines

Mayfield believes this will happen somewhere in the Southeastern US within the next 10-20 year active Hurricane cycle the Gulf and Atlantic is experiencing. The dire prediction by Mayfield: 10 times the number of deaths that Katrina heralded.

Residents of all Coastal states owe a great deal to Max Mayfield. He truly embodied what public service should be.

Randy Gupton, fivesecondstoair.blogspot.com