At 93 years old, Daniel Schorr had pretty much seen it all.

But although Schorr was one of the most well-respected newsmen in America, he was still awed by the accomplishments and adventures of his fellow journalists.

In an appearance alongside once-imprisoned journalist Roxana Saberi during a visit to Rowland Hall St. Mark's School in Salt Lake City in October, Schorr marveled at how, somehow, "we still find people who, despite the circumstances, fight to tell people what they need to know."

Reflecting on his time covering the Watergate scandal - a period in which his name appeared on President Richard Nixon's infamous "enemies list" and in which he was investigated by the FBI - Schorr said that the freedom of the press is constantly under attack.

"If even in America, a president can conspire," against reporters, "then God knows what happens" in other nations, he said.

And Schorr said that press was not only at risk from oppressive government and powerful leaders. Speaking, he said, for the first time about the matter in public, After a few contemplative pauses, Schorr spoke of instances in which his boss at CBS-TV had made deals to provide press credentials to undercover CIA agents and, under government pressure, limited discourse about Watergate.

"What do you do when you are trying to serve a press and find out that the enemy is your employer?" Schorr asked before lamenting a world in which business motives often affect news decisions.

And yet, the venerable newsman concluded, "this is a cherished profession."

Damn straight. Here's hoping that I can say the same when I'm 93.

Godspeed, Mr. Schorr.