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Retired KCCI Anchor Kevin Cooney is remembering the late Terry Anderson. Anderson was an Associated Press correspondent in the Middle East when he was kidnapped in 1985. He was held hostage for six years in Lebanon.“I get choked up just thinking about it, I really do,” Cooney said.It’s been 33 years since the world watched Terry Anderson’s release from Middle Eastern kidnappers. He was finally free after six years in captivity in Beirut.“What can I say? I’m speechless,” Anderson said at the time.Cooney traveled to Germany to report on his welcome home.“The connection, I think, was with Channel 8 kind of cemented the fact that we were going to cover this story maybe a little bit more,” Cooney said.Cooney worked with Anderson at KCCI in the 1970s and was there in the crowd of international journalists, covering the event for Iowa viewers.“Were you physically abused? Were you beaten as Tom was?” Cooney asked.“Yes, after a while, they left me alone,” Anderson answered.Eventually, Anderson returned to Iowa and to Iowa State University. He was reunited with his college professors and friends.“I learned a lot, both here at Iowa State and at KRNT then. Now, KCCI Channel 8,” Anderson said at the time.Anderson returned to Iowa several times, but eventually started a new life, away from the dangers of being a correspondent in the Middle East.“I wouldn’t go there for a million dollars. It is very dangerous,” Anderson said.Cooney says it was a rare time for a journalist covering a journalist and for a friend reporting on a friend.Cooney signed off his 1991 coverage in Germany with a personal comment.“You know we’re supposed to be objective as reporters. But everyone here, especially those of us who knew Terry and worked with him and rooted for him all these years couldn’t help but share in his joy today. Kevin Cooney, TV 8 News, Wiesbaden,” Cooney said.Related storiesKCCI archives: Iowa State University gives hostage Terry Anderson the James Schwartz Distinguished Journalism Award in 1989KCCI archives: Hostages Terry Anderson, Tom Sutherland have deep roots in AmesKCCI archives: Kevin Cooney covers former ISU classmate Terry Anderson’s return to Ames campus’Homecoming long overdue’: Former hostage Terry Anderson visits ISU campus in 1993KCCI archives: Hostage Terry Anderson speaks at news conference, hugs former colleague Kevin Cooney’Pain and hope’: Terry Anderson’s family, US leaders work to free hostages in 1991KCCI archives: Iowa State University campanile bell rings 72 times to mark 6 years of Terry Anderson’s captivity
DES MOINES, Iowa —
Retired KCCI Anchor Kevin Cooney is remembering the late Terry Anderson.
Anderson was an Associated Press correspondent in the Middle East when he was kidnapped in 1985. He was held hostage for six years in Lebanon.
“I get choked up just thinking about it, I really do,” Cooney said.
It’s been 33 years since the world watched Terry Anderson’s release from Middle Eastern kidnappers. He was finally free after six years in captivity in Beirut.
“What can I say? I’m speechless,” Anderson said at the time.
Cooney traveled to Germany to report on his welcome home.
“The connection, I think, was with Channel 8 kind of cemented the fact that we were going to cover this story maybe a little bit more,” Cooney said.
Cooney worked with Anderson at KCCI in the 1970s and was there in the crowd of international journalists, covering the event for Iowa viewers.
“Were you physically abused? Were you beaten as Tom was?” Cooney asked.
“Yes, after a while, they left me alone,” Anderson answered.
Eventually, Anderson returned to Iowa and to Iowa State University. He was reunited with his college professors and friends.
“I learned a lot, both here at Iowa State and at KRNT then. Now, KCCI Channel 8,” Anderson said at the time.
Anderson returned to Iowa several times, but eventually started a new life, away from the dangers of being a correspondent in the Middle East.
“I wouldn’t go there for a million dollars. It is very dangerous,” Anderson said.
Cooney says it was a rare time for a journalist covering a journalist and for a friend reporting on a friend.
Cooney signed off his 1991 coverage in Germany with a personal comment.
“You know we’re supposed to be objective as reporters. But everyone here, especially those of us who knew Terry and worked with him and rooted for him all these years couldn’t help but share in his joy today. Kevin Cooney, TV 8 News, Wiesbaden,” Cooney said.
Related stories
KCCI archives: Iowa State University gives hostage Terry Anderson the James Schwartz Distinguished Journalism Award in 1989
KCCI archives: Hostages Terry Anderson, Tom Sutherland have deep roots in Ames
KCCI archives: Kevin Cooney covers former ISU classmate Terry Anderson’s return to Ames campus
‘Homecoming long overdue’: Former hostage Terry Anderson visits ISU campus in 1993
KCCI archives: Hostage Terry Anderson speaks at news conference, hugs former colleague Kevin Cooney
‘Pain and hope’: Terry Anderson’s family, US leaders work to free hostages in 1991
KCCI archives: Iowa State University campanile bell rings 72 times to mark 6 years of Terry Anderson’s captivity