President Dwight D. Eisenhower is most commonly remembered as a vocal opponent of communism and a leader who ushered in one of America's most prosperous eras. But a new national memorial in Washington D.C. offers a different image: designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, the proposed monument features Eisenhower as a young, barefoot boy in Abilene, Kansas, gazing on images of his adult accomplishments. This has been met by criticism, mostly from Eisenhower's family.

People across America will take advantage of an extra vacation day this weekend. Many will also be paying their respects to the men and women who have died serving their country in the U.S. military. Some also take the chance to remember people outside of the military who have been important to them. We're asking listeners, who will you memorialize this Memorial Day? Tell us who, and why. 

Yesterday friends and family gathered in New York City to say farewell to one of the nation's most beloved figures: Walter Cronkite. The TV anchor and star journalist was memorialized by an all-star cast of friends including Jimmy Buffett, who sang a song for his sailing buddy; former President Bill Clinton, who remembered a friendly gesture during a difficult time; and President Barack Obama, who stopped by before addressing a joint session of Congress. The Takeaway's guest host Lynn Sherr remembers her old friend and neighbor.

Below is President Bill Clinton's speech from the memorial service. Click through to see the eulogies from President Obama, Bob Schieffer, and Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart.

Friends, colleagues and extended family gathered on Saturday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica in Roxbury, Massachusetts, to pay their respects at the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy.  We listen to some of the most notable moments.

Watch part of Ted Kennedy Jr.'s speech at his father's funeral at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica church in Boston.

We talk with 76-year-old Arnold Howe, who is waiting in line in Boston to pay his respects to Senator Kennedy. Arnold was one year behind Kennedy at Harvard and graduated with the Class of 1955. Kennedy helped him get his first job when businesses weren't hiring blacks.

Dominick Dunne, writer for Vanity Fair magazine and best-selling author of crime stories about the rich and famous, died yesterday at age 83 in his home in Manhattan. He's well-known for his best-selling novels, "The Two Mrs. Grenvilles,” and “An Inconvenient Woman,” both about murders in high society. We talk with David Carr, New York Times columnist.

President Obama spoke to the press about his memories of Ted Kennedy just as we went off the air this morning.

We go live to Hyannis Port, Cape Cod, to talk with Sean Corcoran, senior reporter at WCAI.

Lucy Marcus, former intern for Senator Ted Kennedy, joins us today to talk about the work she did with him on education policy. She now lives in the United Kingdom, where she runs a company which restructures private equity funds.

Ken Feinberg, former chief of staff for Senator Ted Kennedy, worked for Kennedy from 1975-1980. Since being appointed Special Master of the U.S. Government's September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, he's now "Pay Czar" for the Obama administration.  Feinberg joins us to remember Kennedy's presidential aspirations, legislative record, and personal approach to politics.  (click through for full interview transcript)

Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mi.) joins us to remember Senator Ted Kennedy as a political colleague. We also have New York Times Reporter John Broder, who wrote a piece in for The New York Times on Senator Kennedy.

We remember Senator Ted Kennedy with various speeches he made throughout the years. Joining us to put Kennedy's life and career in context are Kevin Cullen, columnist for the Boston Globe, and Carl Hulse, chief congressional correspondent for The New York Times.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts died late last night at age 77.

Son of one of the most storied families in American politics, Kennedy had seen triumph and tragedy in near-equal measure and will be remembered as one of the most long-serving and effective lawmakers in the history of the Senate.

The death of Mr. Kennedy, who had been battling brain cancer, was announced early Wednesday morning in a statement by the Kennedy family, which was already mourning the death of the Senator’s sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, two weeks earlier.

“Edward M. Kennedy – the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply – died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port,” the statement read. “We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever.”

Mr. Kennedy had been in precarious health since he suffered a seizure in May 2008. His doctors determined the cause had been a malignant glioma, a brain tumor that often proves terminal.

We talk with Kevin Cullen, columnist for Boston Globe and Carl Hulse, Chief Congressional correspondent for The New York Times to remember Senator Kennedy's life.

Comparisons come almost too easily. One can rank the hype and pure star power of Michael Jackson up there with the most famous people who have ever lived. His reach was planetary in scale. His loss delivers the shock and tragic complexity of the death of Elvis Presley, John Lennon or Marilyn Monroe. But focus on Michael himself and the comparisons evaporate. This is an irreplaceable talent that sadly the world lost some time ago. By the time of his death at age 50 this week, Jackson had receded from a world that could only witness him in bizarre glimpses. Those glimpses continued all evening on television news reports showing blurry crowds and telephoto shots of ambulances. As in life, in death the best mere humans can do is get a ticket for the global stadium event.

Michael was outsized from the moment he took the stage as part of his family's irresistibly appealing Motown act. But he immediately outgrew his family; over time he became, as the King of Pop, bigger than his genre. Then, at the top of his game, he exceeded the scale of celebrity itself. In the late 80s and 90s Michael hung out with actress Elizabeth Taylor because almost no one could match his towering profile of talent and weirdness. ... Continue reading

From his obsession with plastic surgery to his legal and financial troubles, Michael Jackson led a complicated life. What will he be remembered for: his work as a musical artist or his latter-day weirdness?

Bill Wyman is the former arts editor for Salon and now writes for the blog, “Hitsville.”

After the news of Michael Jackson’s death, his fans went out into the streets and to the places that he was associated with in their cities. Togther, they shared memories, listened to Jackson's music—and sang along.

In New York, people gravitated to the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, where Jackson had his first big break. And in Detroit, people found themselves standing on the steps of the Motown Historical Museum.

Joining us are two people who joined the vigils. Terrance McKnight, WNYC’s Music Host, went out to the Apollo, while Amanda Le Claire , a producer at WDET in Detroit, headed towards Motown.

Click through for the full transcript

Farrah Fawcett died yesterday after a long fight with cancer. She had a face that launched a million lunch boxes and a smile (and figure) that sold over 12 million posters. And a haircut—“The Farrah Flip”—that inspired generations of 'dos. It wasn't just a hairstyle, it was a way of living your life. Joining The Takeaway this morning is April Barton. She’s a celebrity hairstylist and owner of the hair salon Suite 303 in New York's Chelsea Hotel. Click through for the full transcript

When the news broke of Michael Jackson’s death, people in and around his hometown of Gary, Indiana, made their way to his childhood home at 2300 Jackson Street. Chicago Public Radio reporter Michael Puente was in Gary last night, and is on The Takeaway to talk about the scene there.

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, died yesterday afternoon at the age of 50. Details of his death will not be known until a full autopsy is done. But what we do know is the legacy he has left behind. His career spanned over 40 years, and his musical importance ranks with Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles.

Joining us in remembering the King of Pop are Chuck D from legendary hip hop group Public Enemy, Brian Raftery, Contributing Writer for SPIN Magazine, and, Farai Chideya, journalist and friend of The Takeaway.

Click through for a transcript.

One of South Africa's most celebrated anti-apartheid campaigners has died at the age of 91. Helen Suzman passed away at her home in Johannesburg. For 13 years, she was the only member of parliament to openly condemn South Africa's whites-only apartheid regime. Here to talk about her life and legacy is BBC Africa editor Martin Plaut.