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CNN Live At Daybreak
Reaction to Pledge of Allegiance Ruling From Troops in Afghanistan
Aired June 27, 2002 - 06:35 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 COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Reaction from the ruling is not only coming from Congress, but from our troops in Afghanistan. We are being joined again this hour by some Americans serving at Bagram Air Base, U.S. Army Sergeant Fred Gurwell and Staff Sergeant Katherine Romar -- thanks for joining us both of you.
SGT. FRED GURWELL, U.S. ARMY: Good morning.
COSTELLO: Good morning. Let's start with Sergeant Gurwell. How did you hear about the ruling?
GURWELL: We are kind of isolated, but we do have access to the Internet sometimes, and CNN is a favorite site.
COSTELLO: Well, we are glad to hear -- we are glad to hear that. What do you think about the ruling? Does it upset you?
GURWELL: Well, it does kind of upset me a little bit, almost as if it's -- the ruling itself is going against the Constitution. I don't think anybody should be allowed to tell them what they can say or what they can't say.
COSTELLO: I'd like to ask this of Sergeant Romar now. First of all, what do you think about the ruling? Does it upset you at all?
SGT. KATHERINE ROMAR, U.S. ARMY: It does upset me, ma'am. I feel that this is a part of our history, and no one has the right to change it. And that is the reason why we are here today fighting to uphold our freedom.
COSTELLO: So this to you is a patriotism issue.
ROMAR: Yes, ma'am.
COSTELLO: How can it not be a religious issue too, though, with the word "God" in the Pledge?
ROMAR: Well, when you use the word "God," ma'am, I feel that our religion, no matter what the religion that is practiced, they have a god. They are idolizing something. So you could use the word "God" to represent your idol or whatever you praise to.
COSTELLO: Well, of course, the man who filed this suit does not agree with you. But let me ask you this question. You are fighting an enemy that imposes its religion on others. Do you find it ironic at all that this man is fighting what he says is the same thing here in the United States?
ROMAR: Yes, ma'am, it's very ironic, because in the U.S., we are free to practice and speak as we wish, and here they are not. So I just feel it is very ironic.
COSTELLO: But still, you believe that "God" should remain in the Pledge of Allegiance in this country?
ROMAR: Yes, ma'am.
COSTELLO: All right. Thank you both for joining us, and our support goes to you. Thank you, Sergeant Fred Gurwell and Staff Sergeant Katherine Romar, for joining us live from Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.
ROMAR: You're welcome.
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