Dave Price: ‘It’s tempting to mourn the loss of this incredible job — but I won’t.’

By Chris Ariens 

As he left “The Early Show” set for the last time, Dave Price hit “send” on an email to the staff of the show, which was obtained by TVNewser. Price, who spent the last eight years as weatherman and roving reporter, writes:

This morning was my final broadcast on The Early Show. Having been on both sides of the employment equation now, I can say with certainty that it’s more fun to be part of the change than part of what’s being changed — but I can’t complain. I have had unforgettable experiences and developed irreplaceable friendships over all these years at CBS News. For all of that I thank you.

I’m grateful for each mile I’ve traveled across the country and the globe for much of the last decade. I’ve had the privilege of meeting remarkable people — people who take an ordinary day and make it extraordinary. I’m lucky not only to have been able to tell their stories, but to witness them first-hand. If you were to ask Harry, Maggie, Erica, or me — each of us believes we have the best job on the news team. But here’s the secret — I actually did. Interviewing stars and meeting powerful leaders is thrilling– but it’s the everyday people that I got to spend time with that made my job as special as it was. Everyday people taught me so much. What is sacrifice? Who is a hero? What distinguishes surviving from thriving? How is luck defined? What does it mean to be a soldier? Why should we forgive? — All those questions and more have been answered for me by people I’ve met on the road over the years. How lucky am I?

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I loved my job because it wasn’t simply a means to make a living. It was like working in a family business — without the blood-relatives but with all the passion. Through blizzards, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires and floods — I often spent more waking-hours with my CBS colleagues than I did with my parents and siblings, or even my wife. There are cameramen and camerawomen, audio-engineers, producers, editors, stage-managers and assistants who the TV audience never saw, but who were always there — for me and with me. They were often working long before we went on the air and often long after, too. They made everything I was a part of simply better and I am privileged to have worked along side them. I said, “Thank you” after we wrapped each assignment and I always meant it. I wish we could have had a “take the audience to work day” — they would have loved these folks as much as I do. I will miss them immensely.

It’s tempting to mourn the loss of this incredible job — but I won’t. I’m counting my blessings and taking stock of all my good fortune. I’m thankful for all the great experiences I’ve had and look forward to all those that lie ahead. See you down the dial. Dave

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