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American Morning

Holidays Hard For Military Families

Aired November 23, 2001 - 07:56   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: You know, holidays can always be a bit more tougher on the families who are separated. And this Thanksgiving, instead of serving up turkey, many of the men and women of the armed forces are serving their country, and they're doing it far from home.

CNN's Anne McDermott reports on two military moms coming together to cope.

TAMMY, NAVY WIFE: Whew, it looks good.

ANNE MCDERMOTT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They've got turkey and stuffing and rolls and everything, except their men, because they're here. Here on the USS Stennis, now somewhere in the ocean on its way to war.

So their wives, Claudia and Tammy -- the Navy has asked that no last names be used -- have joined forces this Thanksgiving in suburban San Diego.

TAMMY: One thing about us Navy wives, or Navy spouses I should say, that are left behind, we draw on each other for support. That is just how we get through.

MCDERMOTT: They've gotten through other holidays, but this one -- does Claudia worry about her Michael?

CLAUDIA, NAVY WIFE: No -- yes.

MCDERMOTT: But she misses him and is always reminded of him.

CLAUDIA: A song -- you hear songs, you know, I look around in the car in the morning, and I'm thinking, oh my God, this guy beside probably thinks I'm crazy because I'm bawling because I hear a song.

MCDERMOTT: And what does Tammy miss about her Joe?

TAMMY: You may laugh, but his pillowcase, it still smells like him. And I'm going to keep it that way as long as I can before it gets just -- it needs to be washed.

MCDERMOTT: The kids say they miss ordinary things, like watching dad fall asleep with the dog in front of the TV, and I miss not being able to talk to him and to tell him... UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: That I love him.

MCDERMOTT: Sure, there's sadness here, but there's also a lot to do, and finally, the feast, but first, a simple prayer from Joe and Tammy's 16-year-old, Danielle.

DANIELLE: And I just pray that you will watch over them and keep them safe, Lord, and just let them know how much we love them.

MCDERMOTT: And then, they plunge right in. And the moms figure, they've pulled it off once more.

Anne McDermott, CNN, Santee, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Well, isn't that something -- a pillowcase.

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