After nearly 11 years co-anchoring “Good Morning America,” Diane Sawyer said goodbye this morning during a program that was filled with tributes, toasts and some tears. A week from Monday she will begin anchoring “World News.”

Today’s show was filled with accolades from production assistants to presidents. The emotional high point may have been the gathering of 26 children who lost their fathers on 9/11/01. Sawyer featured them when they were infants. Now 7- and 8-years-old, they joined Sawyer on set.

And after the show staff serenaded Sawyer with “Build me up Buttercup,” a final toast, with Champagne and potato chips brought in by Emeril, from Robin Roberts: “The best part of life is when your family become your friends and your friends become your family.”

Sawyer continued the toast, reminding viewers to tune in next week. “And to Monday morning, with all of you. Right here, on ‘Good Morning America.’”