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Press Release

18 October 2004 British-American Alistair Cooke Remembered in Service at Westminster Abbey

British-American journalist Alistair Cooke, who died in March 2004, was honored in a service of thanksgiving held at Westminster Abbey on October 15.

The U.S. Chargé d'Affaires and other Embassy officials attended the service, along with members of Cooke's family, ABC journalist Peter Jennings, senior representatives of the BBC, and fans of Cooke's "Letter from America." During the service, a United States flag flew over Westminster Abbey for the first time in history, in tribute to Cooke's life and work as an Englishman who became an American citizen, and who contributed greatly both to his country of birth, and his country of adoption.

At the time of his death, Cooke had presented 2,869 "Letter from America" programs, missing just three of the weekly broadcasts during the show's 58-year run.

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