NEW YORK (AP) -- ABC News colleagues on Friday sent a plane with birthday greetings over the home of Peter Jennings, who hasn't been seen on the air since announcing on April 5 that he had lung cancer.
It was the job of Jennings' wife to steer the veteran anchor to where he'd see the banner saying, "Happy Birthday, Peter -- love from all at `World News Tonight'" flying above his home outside of New York City.
His co-workers also taped birthday greetings sent via e-mail and viewers also participated in a "virtual birthday party" over the Web, the network said.
Jennings turned 67 on Friday.
Jennings responded by sending ice cream to "World News Tonight" staffers and calling in his thanks, a spokeswoman said. He also posted a message of thanks to viewers wishing him a happy birthday on ABC's message board.
"Your words -- as always -- are a great source of strength," Jennings wrote.
Although he continues to participate in planning and critiquing the show -- even engaging in a spirited argument recently over who should be named "person of the week" -- Jennings hasn't been in the office since May 23, said Jon Banner, "World News Tonight" executive producer.
"He and I had a very good conversation yesterday," Banner said. "We sort of talk, if not every day, then every other day. He's still very involved in the broadcast and giving his advice."
Charles Gibson and Elizabeth Vargas have shared duty as Jennings' sub.
"We've always told him and maintained that when he's ready to come back, all he has to do is give us 45 minutes' notice and we'll dust the chair off for him," Banner said. "We've constantly told him that, but right now he has other priorities."
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Aug 2 - Madison Daily Leader
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1302&dept_id=181980&newsid=14965082&PAG=461&rfi=9
When he told his viewers about his cancer diagnosis, Jennings admitted to one pressing concern: "I wonder if other men and women ask their doctors right away: `OK, doc, when does the hair go'?"
The answer so far: not yet.
******
That was the last thing on my mind. But, to answer the question about 21 days, give or take a day or two.