Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Return to Service for USS Cole

Aired April 19, 2002 - 10:25   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Meanwhile, another uplifting scent to see. Also at this same hour, a return to service for the USS Cole. It has been about a year-and-a-half since the Navy destroyer was struck by terrorists in Yemen. CNN's Brian Cabell is in Pascagoula, Mississippi. That's where the Cole was repaired, and where a ceremony is now under way to return it to sea -- Brian, good morning to you.

BRIAN CABELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: God morning, Daryn. The nickname for the USS Cole is "Determined Warrior," rather apt I would say, given the fact that 18 months ago, as you say, a huge hole was blown in its side. This morning a ceremony taking place right now behind me to celebrate the fact that it is returning to the fleet. The USS Cole will be shoving off from the Pascagoula dock in just about an hour-and-a-half.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(voice-over): Before there was September 11, there was October 12, 2000, the day the USS Cole was hit by suicide bombers while in port in Aden, Yemen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A huge explosion, the whole ship rocked up, a big 27-inch color TV landed in my lap. And we were all immediately -- there was 15 people in the room, and immediately we were running out the door to go help our shipmates and save our ship. We knew something was wrong.

CABELL: Seventeen crewmen killed, 37 injured, and a nation mourned. But the crippled destroyer with a 40-by-40-foot hole in its hull, was transported back to the States. It was repairable.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A brand new ship today cost over $1 billion, and the repair bill for this is in $250 million range.

CABELL: It took 14 months to replace 550 tons of steel plating and 275 miles of cable. The mess deck and the galley, virtually destroyed, look new again. But there are reminders. The flag the Cole was flying on October 12, a plaque commemorating those who were killed, 17 stars, one for each victim, on the deck.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I usually play a little game with myself and say all of their names every time I step on a star.

Daren Jones was on board the day of the explosion. He is still there, but hat awful hole is gone, and the USS Cole is ready to head back to sea.

DAREN JONES, U.S. NAVY: I think it sends a message of what kind of country we have and what we are willing do to keep our ships fighting at sea.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CABELL: Again, this is a ceremony taking place right now in front of the USS Cole as it is being sent back to its (UNINTELLIGIBLE). In the audience, a number of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) along with family members of the crew on board. There are about 300 to 350 (UNINTELLIGIBLE) on board, about 40 of them were actually on the Cole some 18 months ago when the explosion took place.

Also the workers are out here. The workers have been working hard on this ship for the last 14 months. And again, the USS Cole, right behind me, will be headed back to sea, fully repaired, in about an hour-and-a-half -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And as it does -- you featured Daren Jones. I understand he is one of 40 sailors who survived that attack who is sticking with the ship.

CABELL: I am sorry, Daryn. I am having a hard time hearing you.

KAGAN: Can you hear me now?

CABELL: Just barely.

KAGAN: All right. You know what...

CABELL: Like I said, we talked to about 40 -- well, there are about 40 sailors on board that ship. We talked to a few of them yesterday. They say they are a little bit shaken up by what happened. Some of them had psychological counseling as a matter of fact, but they give you the typical military attitude, and it's truly felt. They have a job to do, and they are going to do it. And they are headed back to Norfolk, and they are going to join their battle group once again.

KAGAN: All right. Good for them making their country proud. Brian Cabell, thank you so much for that report on the USS Cole.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com