GRATITUDE: 9NEWS VETERAN KYLE CLARK'S THANKFUL POST

Denver 9News TV trailblazer Kyle Clark posted a kind, thoughtful and thankful note on LinkedIn celebrating his 18 years on the job.

Here it is in its entirety:

Eighteen years ago today, I walked into KUSA-TV, 9NEWS in Denver, eager to learn from the best in the business. I knew a bit about journalism, thought I knew a whole lot more, and never imagined I would spend nearly half my life in this newsroom and community.

I'll compose more thoughts at the right time, but I didn't want to let today pass without expressing my gratitude.

I'm grateful for the mentors and role models who became friends. Encouraging other journalists to grow and succeed has been a joy.

I'm filled with appreciation for the trust of leadership at 9NEWS and TEGNA who allowed our Next team to do local news differently. They encouraged smart risk-taking in a risk-averse industry and had the courage to serve the community in innovative ways despite criticism and doubt.

Journalism is a business full of people with strong convictions. But I think employees in most industries will ultimately share their employer's values, by choice or by dictate, for better or for worse. I am beyond grateful to have spent the last 18 years working for and with people whose values I admire: speaking truth to power, respecting the intelligence of our community, and understanding that integrity cannot be repurchased once it's sold.

The future of broadcasting and journalism is uncertain. But of this I am certain: no day spent in pursuit of the truth and in service of the community is a day wasted. I'm grateful for 18 years worth of days well-spent at 9NEWS. And grateful to do it again tomorrow.

[Photo: Kyle Clark on LinkedIn]