CBS Newsroom Welcomes Injured Reporter

Kimberly Dozier Visits Colleagues 8 Months After Iraq Car Bomb Blast

(CBS)  Eight months after nearly dying from a car bomb that killed four people in Iraq, CBS News Correspondent Kimberly Dozier returned to the network's newsroom in New York, where she was greeted with cheers and hugs by coworkers.

"You've been in the thoughts and prayers of everyone in this room and throughout the world," said Rome Hartman, executive producer for the CBS Evening News. "We can't wait to get you back on TV."

Dozier was critically wounded on May 29, 2006, while reporting a story in Iraq. The blast killed her camera crew — Britons Paul Douglas and James Brolan — as well as a U.S. soldier and an Iraqi translator.

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Couric & Co. Blog: Katie On Meeting With Dozier

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"It's overwhelming," said Dozier, as some 100 colleagues gathered around. "Last May we had Hell open on us. That's when I found out what this place was really like. People I didn't know reached out to me, to my family, and also reached out to the families of Paul and James.

"Paul and James will always be in my memories … a final salute to them."

Dozier told her colleagues she is preparing for what she hopes is a "final round" of surgery next week to repair a destroyed right ear drum and a correction in her legs.

"I hate hospitals,'' she said. "I hated them before and now I really hate them."

In a piece she wrote last month for CBSNews.com, Dozier described the arduous road back – both spiritual and physical – from injuries to her head and legs.

"These months later, I know the pain must be as sharp and devastating as it was that day for the families of cameraman Paul Douglas, soundman James Brolan, 4th Infantry Division Capt. James Funkhouser and his Iraqi translator — all lost in an instant, killed by an act of evil,'' she wrote.

"In the mornings when I wake and fight to work off the stiffness in my legs to stand, I remember it all too clearly. And then, thank God that I am here to remember it, and wish again my friends were here too."

Dozier has not set a firm timetable to return to the network. She said she has been doing "therapeutic writing" about the events before and after the car bomb blast.

"We've all waited for this moment for a long time," said CBS News and Sports president Sean McManus. "So Kimberly, welcome back to your home."

[susubaba]

Its a amazing to see her again.Good wishes.I talk to share stories like her in my website www.edaily.org

[wadyaknow]

Super Kim!
we love you here in Maryland.

Just a note to say welcome back and thanks to CBS for showing the human side of a corporation. JgA

[boston1954]

So glad to hear that you are feeling better! I have been thinking about you and praying for you to be healthy again.

[armyvet_97]

Awesome! I am glad you are feeling better. My family was praying for you when we found out that you were involved in an attack. Many more prayers for you and yours and a speedy recovery.

[imhazen]

I was really struck by your end story welcoming Kimberly back to work. It made me realize that there are other "soldiers" putting their lives on the line beside those enlisted. Thank you, Kimberly,for your courage, and stay well.

[j_flood]

It is good of her to acknowledge the loss of her colleagues. She is the visible part of the event - we don't need to see the affects on the others involved. Continued recovery and good luck!

[michellem99-2009]

I am very happy to see Miss Kim Dozier on TV. I hope that she will tell the news again when she able to. I hope they can repair her ear so she cam hear better if that can be done. I learned of
her being hurt in The Seattle Times online edition and then CBS site. I was so sad. I am happy that she is healing well both mind and body.
Best wishes to you always. I have watched CBS news for years. Welcome back .

[karlimhof]

Simplemind2

hope your kids are 18 or older - couldn't for the life of me bring myself to show my kids a bloddy mess like that!

"killed by an act of evil" wrote Kim

I guess we have to ask ourselves who committed that act? The guy who pulled the triger, or the guy who lied us into this war? Decide yourselves.

And now......the reporter crew is complete. The best television station ever just got even better with your return, Kim. I am glad that you are back.

[bluestardad]

She has more Courage than the Entire Bush Administration and the Neocon Chicken Hawks at the Weekly Standard and the other cowards that got us into this war but will never go in harms way themselves. Get Well Soon Kim! One Soldiers family supports your courage!

[bluestardad]

The Neocons or the Bush Administration cannot tell you who the Enemy is in Iraq!

[bluestardad]

Make the Congress and the Administration define who the enemy is in Iraq. The Neocons cannot tell you who we are sending our troops to fight. It is a sure bet that the Chicken Hawks are not going to go fight. Saudis are aiding the Sunnis and Iran is aiding the Shiites and the 12 former members of Saddam%u2019s regime are running scared hiding in caves! So how do we tell our troops to fire upon? Why is America even there? OK here is your chance, don%u2019t just set in front of your computer and complain spouting meaningless rants of sludge, do something about it! This is the contact address for your Senator! Send them a message of your opinion. All Class Two Senators are up for Reelection in 2008. Be respectful even if they do not deserve it because their office does! http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[karlimhof]

One citizen one vote - what a great concept!

Sure is...if only all would exercise it:

and not allow billion dollar election campaign announcements distort the questions or ignore them completely ----

and to be able to chart the course of the nation by re-establishing our common principles and common heritage in line with the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence-amen

[alfiecat1]

Happy to see Kim Dozier up and about again. Hope she continues to improve and is able to get back to her excellent reporting. We've missed you.

[rod889k1]

Great to see you back and doing so well, Kim. You are truly one of the "unsung heroes" of this war and your courage has set the standard for future generations of journalists. It has been a privilege to have been one of the many "guardian angels" on your shoulders during your recovery.

[daws711]

It's great to see Kimberly back - she looks great. One really has to admire her guts & courage for reporting from Iraq for so long. She has certainly done her share of good reporting over there. God Bless her on her determined courageous comeback. She is one of the big reasons why CBS is the best of all the networks

[nmiller213]

Kimberly,
What a wonderful surprise to see you back on your feet without a cane. I have enjoyed reading your updates online and am excited to see the video of you back at "home" in the newsroom. Soon you will back giving us the scoop on all the stories that are close to your heart and close to home. Good luck with the upcoming surgeries. I will enjoy watching your progress and continued updates in the future. Remember, you still have lots of guardian angels watching over you and our troops that are away from home.

[trumpthumper]

Kimberly - Welcome(almost)Back! Your loss was overwhelming. Your fortitude is encouraging. Your determination is inspiring. Your comments about "really hating hospitals", is sad. They are no doubt a place that entertains both life and death. Doctors and nurses work very hard to tip the scales in the favor of life. Hate hospitals? Hospitals are where miracles occur. Not always...but many times. Just look in the mirror.