Reliving Memorial Day 2006

CBS' Dozier Tells How A Car Bombing In Baghdad Changed Lives Forever

(CBS)  So the team quickly planned to embed themselves with a unit of the Army's 4th Infantry Division.

Asked how the assignment came about, Rydell says, "The Army wants as few people as possible on any kind of patrol. The reporter has to go, the cameraman has to go, the question is the sound man. Does the sound man have to go? Any cameraman in these situations wants somebody who’s going to watch his back. But it puts another person at risk. So the Army wanted to take two, and I argued very strongly for three."

The Army relented and soundman James Brolan was allowed to go. James was new to CBS, but was a veteran combat journalist, having recently worked in Iraq for ABC with anchor Bob Woodruff.

"James, he just started working with us, especially working with Paul," Dozier explains. "They need to be a team that reads each other's mind, so to speak. And James and Paul had that sort of teamwork going.

Paul Douglas was one of the very best and most experienced cameramen at CBS News.

"Paul was sort of the life of the bureau. Big man, big personality. Amazing smile. When you were shooting in a dangerous situation and you were dealing with soldiers at a checkpoint and they didn’t want to let you through, he would just change the mood—that big smile, joking around, and pretty soon the tension would dissolve and the soldiers would say, 'Oh yeah, sorry, go through,'" Dozier remembers.

"He is the guy that I would go into hell and back with," Rydell says. "I mean, if he said it was safe to do this thing, we could do this, I'm in the car, absolutely. And he got us into and out of many dicey situations."

Still, the night before the shoot, Dozier was anxious. "I was always scared going out with U.S. patrols. I could never sleep the night before. Always 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning I'd be staring at the ceiling going, 'If you don't get some sleep, you won't be able to think straight tomorrow.' Having this argument with my fears," she explains.

So she called her boyfriend, Pete, who used to work in security in Iraq and lives in New Zealand. "We both knew the risks. We lived in Baghdad, which is the most dangerous city on earth at the present time," Pete says. "I was apprehensive and I looked forward to her checkin' in again after it was finished."

The next morning, Memorial Day, Dozier and the camera crew met their subject, 35-year-old U.S. Army Captain Alex Funkhouser, who led a unit of the 4th Infantry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

Funkhouser had left his wife and two young daughters in Texas just a few months before. It was his first tour of Iraq and it came at a difficult time — sectarian violence between Iraq's Sunnis and Shiites was exploding. But Funkhouser was determined to make a difference.

"Great guy. Great officer. One of the rare types that you meet. He was open about the problems he faced, as well as being extremely optimistic about his ability to tackle the situation," Dozier says. "And we were all relieved because it's like, okay, when you've got a person like that to follow, it brings everything to life."

Funkhouser was also admired by the soldiers of the 4th I.D. "He was a father, a captain, I mean, you know, all in one. 'Cause he was the daddy of the company and that's how it went," explains Sgt. Justin Farrar.

"He would always be the lead truck whenever we went out," remembers Spc. Izzy Flores. "It would be like, 'Sir, maybe you shouldn't be the lead.' And he’d be like, 'No, something happens, it'll happen to me first.'"

[jcolehi]

Why when there is such a wealth of visual materials at hand do gratuitous, annoying effects have to be layered over footage that's riveting on its own? Give the audience credit. White flashes and stuttered, slo-mo only serve to demean this horror of war transforming it into a piece of infotainment when it so clearly cried out to be a solid piece of journalism.

Sad in every way -- for the families who lost their loved ones, the soldiers and this show's audience. This programs is hard to watch, not for the subject matter, but by a lack of respect for its viewers. This truly was a lost opportunity to watch and absorb powerful imagery, undermined by an insistent belief that attention spans and interest levels are only maintained by over-editing.

Thankfully there were a few 'naked' moments without flashes and quick moves that not only let us see things, but provided poignancy. I only wish there were more.

[dmparent]

I forgot this was on!!! I saw the previews and really wanted to watch it. Does anyone know if there will be a repeat or where I can buy a copy or see the whole episode. I'm very disapointed I fell asleep.

[jerimiah99]

I agree with you, ozilot. I see it this way: if you take all the Flashpoint footage of Ms. Dozier and "I/me" and put it in one story, along with the footage of her kayaking in New Zealand for her recovery, and put it in a story not attached to our troops', it would be fine - that would be her story. The way the piece was, it came across to me that she was representing herself as one of the soldiers, and comparing her struggles to their's. She goes to New Zealand for recovery -our soldiers are often placed in the "other" Walter Reeds for recovery. The first thing to keep in mind is the soldiers are there to fight a war - she was there to report it. Her story, upfront, was originally supposed to be about how Memorial Day is just business as usual for the troops, no picnics, no ballgames. Instead, it turned into a piece of "Kimberly Dozier - My Struggles as a Reporter." I wonder what ever happened to the piece that she was supposed to be covering in the first place.

I support Captain Funkhouser's widows' statements completely She wants everyone to see not just her soldier but the thousands of soldiers that go through this everyday. She is the ultimate military wife - not in it to forward her career, but to honor the lives and cause of all our troops.

The odd thing is, I didn't feel this way about the Bob Woodruff, and various other reports because they honored their profession as a reporters, and didn't try to pretend to live the life of a soldier.

[retiredinmex]

Kimberly,

I am an Iraq veteran. Although I am 100% against this illegal and immoral war, I appreciate the sacrifices that all soldiers and civilians have made over there.

Thank you to you and all the US and "Coalition" military and civilians over there, all victims of a corrupt and misguided US president and his advisors.

[kinglear2007]

I just watched "Flashpoint" and I think it was the hardest hour of TV I have ever seen and that includes the hours that I saw on 9/11. It really made me hurt for the families of the heroes that we have lost from this war on terror. But it also gives me hope by showing the great strength of the human spirit. I tried to enlist after that day but was too old. I can only wish I could have been as strong as those that have gone. They are doing what needs to be be done but it makes me realize we Have to end this war as soon as possible.
3800 is a lot of deaths but I also think of the Tens of thousands of innocent Iraq's that have also died and the families that have to live without them.
Thanx most of all to the voices of all the soldiers and the Sergants window and those gorgeous little girls, that made me cry, and especially to Kimberly for sharing such an intimate and revealing ordeal with me and the many others who hopefully watched ,I will never forget it. I pray every day for our brave heroes who will soon be coming back home. Also for all the tireless doctors and nurses who are putting our men and women back together again.
Thank you Patric

[rod889k1]

Flashpoint was a outstanding and moving tribute to the courage of all our troops and journalists who risk their lives each day for our freedom and of the sacrifices endured by their families and love ones. Thanks to Kimberly and the brave soldiers and medical personnel for sharing the intimate details of their experiences so that we may understand and appreciate the far reaching effects of war.

[kiwi_chick]

ozilot you're out of line.

[dblbar]

God bless you, Kimberly, and God BLESS OUR TROUPS that endure the dangers on a daily basis. Thank you for bringing us a front seat view of their daily lives. I can only say "ditto" to the previous posts that express what we all feel for you and our wonderful military personnel. God Bless America.

[junga1]

I think that CBS did something absolutely wonderful and Kimberly to show, to share the
character of a combat zone how it is a web of love, hurt that transends the world. The gift of
haveing video, pictures, real time and the personel envolved. This was not political is was humanity. I feel as a vet from Nam that this gave not only what the troops and their familes go through but that the innocents locial and other wise the recorded impact of a war. Kimberly God bless you for your sharing and I pray that what
happen to you does not depress you but lifts you up, you have been there done that, life should be enjoyed with a clear sense of purpose God bless. Oh by the way is CBS going to make copies of your show available to the public, it should be required study in every high school in the nation as well as soical groups.

[m2wxgirl]

My heart is heavy tonight. I'm still hanging on to my box of tissues as I write this. This story was very moving and touched me on a very personal level. As a military member myself, my heart breaks every time I hear a story from Iraq or Afghanistan whether someone lives to tell their story like Kimberly or those whose stories are told by others. I feel for those who return from war and cannot shake the memories of what they experienced.
My deepest prayers go out to Sgt Farrar and his family. To carry that kind of burden - I can't even imagine.
Capt Funkhouser's wife is incredibly strong! My prayers go out to her and her family.
To the 4th ID team - you showed strength and teamwork and I am proud to serve with you!
I agree with the earlier posting that Kimberley should have told her story without Couric and I hope she will soon write a book of her personal struggles during her time in Iraq and her recovery.
Finally, thank you Kimberley for sharing such a difficult time with us. My prayers are with you. Thank you for giving us a glimpse into the real pain and fear that is experienced on a daily basis in a war zone. You truly brought the story home.

[pfmjil]

Dear Kimberly,
I want to thank you for your courage to share your story in it's fullness, from beginning to present. Watching you tell each story/report from the war zone brought you close. When you spoke, I always stopped to listen, knowing you put yourself in harms way each time you made a report. I admired you and do even more so tonight. You have told the story of our wounded soldiers from this war, to past wars like no one else but a reporter could tell. And you tell it first hand. To see you wounded, brought the war to my home as I had become so familiar with your name, your face and your voice telling me, all of us, all about what our young men and young women faced every day. You became a frind I trusted and listened to. I can not even begin to express my sorrow, thinking of you all and your familes. I appreciate your exposed pain at the loss of Paul and James, it tore my heart for you and all who loved them. There are no words to fully describe the heroric sacrifices many have given selflessly. My deepest admiration goes to you all. I couldn't stop crying during your touching story as well as the team wounded and lost with you.
Thank you Kimberly. . . You are amazing. I continue to pray for you and your continued success, and all affected by war. I just happen to feel I know you as my friend.
P. Fabbri
Houston, TX

[shae2004]

I was moved by the report. I feel for the families that lost loved ones and for Kimberly and her continued struggles. I only wish I that Kimberly could have covered the whole story, telling it through her experience instead of questions asked by Katie. She should have interviewed the soldiers whom she has a bond that will never be broken. I only wish that Bush watched this show to know the true affect on the soldiers and their families. Great story, we need more like these.

[Mal0410]

I was totally engrossed watching "Flashpoint" tonight. It was so well done and I admire the courage of Kimberly Dozier. Politics aside, we must continue to support our troops and their families. My prayers and best wishes to all the soldiers of the Fourth Infantry Division of Fort Hood and to the troops of the Iowa National Guard. The doctors, nurses, pilots and all the others who are involved in the care of our wounded must never be forgotten either. They are truly life savers. I'd just like to let the troops know that, politics aside, we support you and pray for your safety and want you home soon. I personally feel that CBS News and, in particular, Kimberly Dozier should be nominated for an Emmy for bringing the sometimes ugly truth about PTSD and recovery to us tonight. Well done!