Man landing on the moon; the assassination of JFK; the fall of Saigon; the twin towers collapse in New York. Each event has one thing in common. When they occurred, people around the world dropped whatever they were doing and turned on a television or radio to learn what was happening.

Even in the age of the Internet, when breaking news takes place, we depend on network news programs and reporters. The intriguing thing about the latter is that when something catastrophic occurs, they're the ones rushing in as others flee — not unlike storm chasers, who maniacally drive toward a tornado instead of cowering next to me in a basement.

The level of influence professional newscasters has is almost unprecedented. Most under the age of 30 wouldn't know Walter Cronkite if he walked into their living room. Cronkite holds the distinction of being the original television news "anchor." The term was first used in reference to him as he covered the 1952 political conventions. In the 1970s, his honest style and cool demeanor landed him the title "Most trusted man in America." Some even pleaded with Cronkite to run for president — an "honor" he wisely sidestepped.

Five journalists of comparable note were honored last week on the new 42-cent postage stamps. They, too, may not be household names, but in their day each went above and beyond in delivering news from some of the world's most dangerous places.

Being featured on the new "American Journalists" stamps is Ruben Salazar — the first Mexican-American journalist to have a major voice in mainstream media. Long before the likes of Geraldo Rivera, Salazar reported on the Chicano movement of the 1960s.

Also included are Martha Gellhorn and John Hersey.

Virtually unheard of for a woman at the time, Gellhorn was a groundbreaking correspondent covering the Spanish Civil War, World War II and even Vietnam. Hersey penned his famous work "Hiroshima" about the atom bomb dropped on that city and the aftermath of its devastation.

Joining them is George Polk, a CBS radio correspondent who filed in-depth and dangerous reports on the strife and growing corruption in Greece following World War II.

Rounding out the set is Eric Sevareid, a broadcast journalist whose name is still very familiar to many. In his decades of reporting, Sevareid reported from Paris as the Germans marched in and from London during the blitz in World War II. Afterward he became a revered commentator on American politics.

Salazar and Polk particularly exemplify just how much some journalists put themselves in harm's way to "get the story." In 1948, Polk disappeared in Greece while working on his report of corruption. He was found murdered a week later. In 1970, Salazar was shot and killed by a deputy sheriff as he covered an anti-Vietnam War demonstration.

Officially issued at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., collectors who couldn't attend the event can still obtain special First Day Of Issue postmarks on the stamps. To do so, purchase the stamps at a local post office, affix them to a self-addressed envelope and send that inside of a separate mailing envelope to: American Journalists Stamps, ?Postmaster?, Special Cancellations, ?Washington, D.C. 20066-9998.

After applying the postmark the canceled envelopes will be returned through regular mail. There is no charge for the postmark but all orders MUST be postmarked no later than June 21, 2008.

NOTE TO EDITORS: A JPEG visual of the five new "American Journalist" stamps is being sent for your use with this column.

To find out more about Peter Rexford and to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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