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CNN Live Today

Navy Salutes New Yorkers

Aired May 22, 2002 - 13:42   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: It is a busy week in New York City, and the threat of possible terrorism means unprecedented security for the annual Fleet Week celebration now underway in New York Harbor. It is a sight to see, but also a sight to see for security as well. Michael Okwu is sitting right along the Hudson with us now. Hi, Michael. Good afternoon.

MICHAEL OKWU, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you, Bill.

I know New York is in a high state of alert but other than a few helicopters, military helicopters that have been flying above here -- they are called Seahawk helicopters -- checking out the scenery, making sure that everything is safe and secure, most people here in downtown New York City, particularly in Battery Park City, are just taking this as an opportunity it take in the sights.

Very impressive U.S. Navy warships have been sort of steaming up the Hudson River here since about 10:30 a.m. this morning, and in fact, just over my shoulder you can see the U.S.S. Iwo Jima.

I am joined right few by Lieutenant Commander Chris Peterschmidt, who was a second in command on the U.S.S. Cole, correct?

LT. CMDR. CHRIS PETERSCHMIDT, U.S. NAVY: That is correct.

OKWU: And also you did some time in Operation Enduring Freedom. This must be special for you to you be here.

PETERSCHMIDT: It is special for me. It is special for almost the entire 6,000 sailors coming into New York this weekend, who participated in Enduring Freedom. It is their chance to come back and see the New York people that we have come to love and support, and share the moment that this weekend brings with us.

It is a great opportunity for myself to see the courage and the strength of the New York people, the same strength that I saw on my crew on the U.S.S. Cole. And it is great for our sailors to come see the New Yorkers that they went and fought for oversees, so yes, a very special weekend for all of us.

OKWU: Well, there has been a sort of a special ritual as all the ships steam past this particular site and look towards ground zero. Can you explain a little bit about what goes on there? In fact, I think it is happening right now on the Iwo Jima. PETERSCHMIDT: Right behind us, as every ship has passed the World Trade Center site, this is the yacht facing that looks directly at the World Trade Center site -- all of the ships are running the same honor that we give to the U.S.S. Arizona and Pearl Harbor, where we call the crew to attention. The whole crew salutes, and they hold the salute for two or three minutes as we pass by, in one of our most formal and memorable ways of recognizing the brave men and women who have perished in the line of duty of our country or in this most recent terrorist attack.

OKWU: It is quite a sight to see. There are 6,000 marines and sailors aboard some 20 ships that steam past here on the Hudson River, and all of them on each ship standing at attention, sort of resolutely facing ground zero.

PETERSCHMIDT: Right. And many of the sailors have asked permission to come look at the World Trade Center site.

OKWU: Yes.

PETERSCHMIDT: Most of these sailors just returned from Operation Enduring Freedom in March. They spent a little bit of time with their family if April, but they have all been looking forward to coming up to New York for the seven days of fleet week, and for the first time since 9/11, the navy is opening up the ships to the public for general viewing.

So this would be a very unique opportunity to show off our ships that we are very proud of, and show our sailors, as well as meet a lot of New York people.

OKWU: But we should mention to the public that you can go and get on these ships, but it is not going to be easy. You can't just stroll on them. Expect to exercise some patience.

PETERSCHMIDT: Right. Just like a lot of procedures around the country these days, we will be going through what we call normal airport security measures in order to get on to the ships. Last year we had (UNINTELLIGIBLE) people visit the ships. We expect more this year. We will try it make the security procedures as innocuous as possible and streamlined. It would be the same procedures that you would see in an airport.

OKWU: Lieutenant Commander, tell us what is going to happen at about 2:00 p.m. There is going to be another display here. Just walk us through that real briefly.

PETERSCHMIDT: At 2:00 p.m. there is going to be an air fly-by. About 10 aircraft, many of which participated in Operation Enduring Freedom. The lead pilot in this formation of aircraft is a man named Captain Kathy, and he led air strikes into Afghanistan back in October from the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt.

OKWU: Excellent. Great chatting with you. Again, these ships will all be on display for about the next week or so. If you are a member of the public and you want to go down and check them out, you can see them at about 12 noon until about 5:00 p.m. in the afternoon.

But again, you are going to have to exercise a little bit of patience -- Bill.

HEMMER: Hey, Michael, do you think they could have painted a better day for you weather-wise? It is just beautiful up there today.

OKWU: It is a lovely day. I am lying back here, you know, just getting some rays.

HEMMER: I see that, actually. Thanks, Michael. Michael Okwu on the shores of the Hudson there, New York Harbor, watching Fleet Week roll in.

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