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CNN Live Today

USS Stennis Arrives Home

Aired May 28, 2002 - 13:28   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.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: We've got some home improvements in San Diego today, long awaited reunions. After more than six months in the war on terrorism, the USS John C. Stennis is back, and of course it's crew.

CNN's Thelma Gutierrez is live from the homeport of the aircraft carrier.

Thelma, I love your live shots. It just -- it just brings tears to my eyes thinking how long these people have been apart and how many babies have been born.

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, Carol, earlier we had talked about 60 men on the ship who were actually going to meet their babies for the first time. So you can imagine all the tears, all the emotions that came out when they were finally able to see those babies.

There are other people out here as well, though. Five thousand people who are getting off the ship, thousands more, you can take a look here on the pier, still waiting for those reunions. Those reunions have been very, very tearful.

You asked me earlier, Carol, what was the system for making these reunions happen? I had mentioned that -- well I guess there was supposed to be a system earlier and they were hoping to bring the Sailors and the Marines out into the parking area. That didn't happen. People couldn't wait. As you had mentioned, they had been separated for six months and they didn't want to wait any longer. So this probably is not the safest place for us to stand because we're standing between the loved ones and the folks getting off the boat.

One of the reunions that just took place right now is the Curtis -- actually Curtis Parker (ph) and Lettie Parker (ph).

Lettie, you were crying tears of -- just a few minutes ago. Tell me about that moment.

LETTIE PARKER, SPOUSE: Oh it was wonderful. It was great. It was such -- it was -- it was unbelievable. It was a moment I'll never forget, and I'm so happy my husband is home.

GUTIERREZ: Tell me what you thought as you were pulling in to Coronado Island. CURTIS PARKER, MILITARY MEMBER: Excitement, butterflies. You know I've done this a few times before, but it's never the same. And it's -- every time it's like the first time, just can't wait to see your family and your loved ones and this is great. I'm so happy.

GUTIERREZ: Now you're here with a huge, huge group. Are these all your children?

C. PARKER: They're not. They're not. This is all my family right here. All my family, my wife's family, sisters, nieces, nephews, mother-in-law, father-in-law.

L. PARKER: Sister-in-law.

C. PARKER: Best greeting areas (ph).

GUTIERREZ: What was it like to be separated for all that time? We tend to think six months.

C. PARKER: Six and a half, actually.

GUTIERREZ: Six-and-a-half months.

C. PARKER: But it's tough. It's tough, you know having to be separated and not be able to be there to help out at home. But I got a good wife here and she took care of everything really well.

L. PARKER: Thank you.

C. PARKER: And stop it. Stop it.

GUTIERREZ: Lettie, you're crying again.

L. PARKER: You know this is what it is, it was enduring love and freedom and pride, and I'm so proud of my husband. I think these guys are doing such a great job out there. And I love you baby.

C. PARKER: I love you, too.

GUTIERREZ: Lettie and Curtis, thank you very much. Any special plans for the evening?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Celebrate.

L. PARKER: Going home. We're celebrating.

(CROWD CHEERING)

GUTIERREZ: Before we close -- before we close, now who is this little boy here with the hat?

L. PARKER: This is out nephew Leo Roblus (ph).

GUTIERREZ: And Leo is how old?

L. PARKER: Say hi, Leo. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Four.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He knows how to say the Pledge of Allegiance.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's four.

GUTIERREZ: Carol, this is just one of so many families that we've met out here on the pier. Again, take a look at all their faces, lots and lots of tears, but it's been a very happy day.

Carol, back to you.

LIN: I'm just curious, Thelma, you know you go around and ask this question of what people want to do when they get home. I mean what are some of the more interesting tales you've been hearing?

GUTIERREZ: I don' know that I can repeat it. Actually, I stopped a couple of very young couples, and I asked them if they would stick around for an interview with CNN. And they asked me how long it would take. I said just wait for about 15 minutes. They said, no, we have plans, and they bolted out of here. So I don't know. I mean I guess you have to come up with what you think they're doing.

LIN: Yes, I think we're probably expecting another baby boom in about another nine months. We'll have to check back with those families.

GUTIERREZ: Well I think that's safe to say.

LIN: So how did people get in touch all this -- all these many months?

GUTIERREZ: I'm sorry?

LIN: How did people stay in touch for so many months?

GUTIERREZ: Actually, Carol, that was very interesting. We noticed a lot of the people out here on the pier, they were on cell phones, just like all of us. They were talking to some of the folks on the ship via cell phone. They were telling us exactly where their loved ones were on this ship, and also e-mail. And this is probably one of the fist major conflicts where e-mail has been used. And they said that they were able to, almost on a daily basis, communicate with their loved ones.

LIN: What a relief.

All right, thank you so much.

Thelma Gutierrez at a really happy scene there in San Diego, California as the crew of the John C. Stennis disembarks to the arms of their loved ones -- Thelma Gutierrez.

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