10 Questions for Bob Woodruff

By Carolyn Sayre

Do you still believe that reporters should potentially give up their life for a story?

Joe Maugeri, BERWYN, PA.

This is always a decision to be made by reporters. I will never say one way or another that yes, you should go, or no, you should not go. The families of those in the military want reports coming out of Iraq. I think that it is something reporters and journalists need to do.

Many people feel they have a duty to tell the real story about the war. Is your turn over?

Julie Becker, SPRINGFIELD, ILL.

I have a wife who has watched me travel around to different wars for years, and she has for the first time told me not to go back. We call my wife "the general." So if she gives an order that I can't go back to Iraq, it means I can't go back to Iraq.

What is your reaction when you hear the Administration's claim that the liberal media aren't reporting the full story?

Mike Mitchell, LAS VEGAS

I think fair reporting is there. Journalists are trying to find out exactly what is happening outside this country. And unless you spend a significant amount of time in Iraq, you do not understand what is going on in terms of what the Iraqis think about the war. I think all of that is being reported.

What do you find most startling about the treatment of injured soldiers in facilities like Walter Reed Army Medical Center?

Jake Miller, NESQUEHONING, PA.

We all just underestimated how many injured there would be in this war and therefore were not completely prepared to provide enough assistance to those who are injured. And I think we are now finally starting to wake up about it.

What was your family's primary source of resilience in the face of your ordeal? How can citizens support recovering veterans?

Esther Day Gentile

GEORGETOWN, MASS.

When something like this happens to a family, you never quite know how you are going to work through it. When this happened, my family all ran to us to help. I think what we need as a country is to help others that are injured and help their families come to them.

What would you say to the terrorist who tried to kill you?

Jonah Eaton, LAUREL, MD.

I don't know. But I will tell you one thing for sure: I think we need to find a change in the way people treat each other in this world. One of the answers is not to kill back.

What do you think of the practice of reporters' being embedded with troops in a war zone?

Bob Reid, SEA BRIGHT, N.J.

I know there was some criticism about it during the invasion, but I never felt like there was any control over what we were going to say. I felt there was honesty between reporters and the military when [the reporters] are able to stay there for a significant amount of time.

Has this incredible experience changed you spiritually?

Randall Hill

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA.

First of all, I was shocked by how little people in the country understood the depth of injury. Secondly, I also felt great guilt about having survived and recovered as well as I have, compared with many others. And I do have less fear of dying compared with what I felt before.

My sister-in-law had brain surgery two months ago and just returned to work. What should her concerns be now that she's back, and what were yours?

Kim Fuller, TULSA, OKLA.

With traumatic brain injuries, the doctors generally say that you are not going to come back 100%. Part of you in some ways will change. We don't know what will happen until later. The hope is to keep believing that you will improve.

I heard that your wife played Bruce Springsteen songs while you were in a coma. Have you ever had a chance to meet him? And what is your favorite song?

Robert Segal, CHICAGO

[Laughs.] I love all of his music. We had a chance to meet both him and his wife, and it was a dream. When I first started college, I couldn't stand his music. But within about six months, I completely fell in love with it.

To read more from Woodruff and to submit questions for upcoming interview subjects, go to time.com/10questions