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CNN Live Today
Interview with Jenkins Family
Aired July 04, 2002 - 11:10 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: Throughout the morning, we have been reuniting U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan with their families back home in the United States. We have another one of those reunions for you. This, actually, to be honest with you, is one we tried to put together for last hour, have run into a few technical glitches, but we decided not to give up. So it is going to look a little bit different than you're used to seeing. How this is.
You see on the left side of your screen, we have Lieutenant Patrick Jenkins. He is in Bagram, Afghanistan with our Nic Robertson. On the right hand of the screen, that fine-looking family, is his family, the Jenkins family. They are in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The little technical problem we had is with the sound. So what we've done is we've dialed this in on the phone and that is Charlene Jenkins, the lieutenant's wife, who is on the phone, and we are going to have to have to pass the phone around as we do this. So, technically, a little bit different, yet we would not be defeated here.
And let's turn it over now to Nic Robertson in Bagram. Nic, you take it from here.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, thank you very much. And we're ready to do this. Lieutenant Patrick -- Lieutenant Patrick Jenkins, just tell me, how do you find life here? You've been here two weeks. How is it?
LT. PATRICK JENKINS, U.S. ARMY: Life here is pretty good. I'm enjoying myself so far. It's dusty. It's windy, but not too bad.
ROBERTSON: Now, what exactly is it you do?
P. JENKINS: I am an engineer with the 769 Engineer out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and I am an executive officer out of Alpha Company.
ROBERTSON: So what's going to be your mission here on the base at Bagram?
P. JENKINS: Our mission is just basically -- is to work on infrastructure, and just to help buildup the base and work on living conditions.
ROBERTSON: Patrick, that's great. Now Charlene is in -- your wife joins us now from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Charlene, can you go ahead and talk -- what do you want to say to Patrick? CHARLENE JENKINS, PATRICK JENKINS' WIFE: Hi, we miss you.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Hey, dad.
C. JENKINS: Do you hear the children? They're beating me.
P. JENKINS: Hello.
C. JENKINS: Say hi. They are all saying hi.
P. JENKINS: Yes, I do hear the children, and I miss you also.
C. JENKINS: Yes? Good to see you, you look well.
(CROSSTALK)
P. JENKINS: Hi, (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
C. JENKINS: I didn't hear you.
P. JENKINS: Thank you. I miss you, too. I said, thank you. I miss you guys, too.
C. JENKINS: Oh, OK.
P. JENKINS: Tell Javon (ph) happy birthday.
C. JENKINS: Happy birthday, Javon (ph). Oh, he can hear you, I think.
ROBERTSON: Now, Charlene, this is Nic here. Tell me, what is it -- what is it you think that your husband is up to here in Afghanistan? What is he doing?
C. JENKINS: He just told me, go and help rebuild the airstrip or something like that in Afghanistan. I'm not sure exactly what it is that he is doing, but I know he's going to help rebuild, and that's about it.
ROBERTSON: Is that right, Patrick?
P. JENKINS: Yes, that's correct. We're here just to help rebuild this country, and also to help out the soldiers here, and just make a comfortable environment for everyone.
ROBERTSON: Now, Charlene, how much warning did you get before Patrick was leaving?
C. JENKINS: How much warning? Very little, basically overnight, warning that he was leaving. When it was time for him to leave for Afghanistan. He has actually be gone -- been active duty for the last two months, but that's about it. Overnight, and then he was gone. Came home one day, and the next day he was gone.
ROBERTSON: Patrick, how did that feel to be leaving so quickly?
P. JENKINS: It felt strange, leaving my wife and kids, but I'm sure they will be fine, though.
C. JENKINS: I bet.
P. JENKINS: We're very religious, and we know that God has a plan for all of us, so we can accept it, and I am sure she is going to do a great job with the family.
ROBERTSON: Charlene, did you miss him when he left so quickly?
C. JENKINS: Of course, of course. I miss him now, and especially -- July through August is a very special time for us, basically both of our daughters, Kai (ph) and Javon's (ph) birthday. Then in the month of August, it is both me and Patrick's birthday and anniversary. So, there is a lot going on. And this is the first time he won't be home for any of it. So, yes, we really will miss him a lot.
ROBERTSON: I understand Patrick is going to be away for Christmas as well. How is that going to be?
C. JENKINS: Oh, I don't want to think about that one yet. I will deal with that when December comes. But it is going to be difficult.
P. JENKINS: Yes, it is going to be very difficult also.
ROBERTSON: Patrick, what are you -- what are your words to your wife at this time? How do you want her to cope with you being away?
P. JENKINS: I just want her to know, just be comforted that we are here doing a mission, and that our mission is just stewards of freedom, as I have read (ph) once before, and just -- you know, they've had many people before us, and there will be many people after us. And we're just here to do our job, and we'll be back home very soon.
ROBERTSON: Charlene, I understand you two met on a blind date. How does it feel after all these years?
C. JENKINS: Feels a little nerve-racking, but it is going great. It's been 11 years, so it was good date.
P. JENKINS: Right answer.
ROBERTSON: Now Patrick, you're a teacher in school. I understand the children there were going to miss you when you leave.
P. JENKINS: Well, I hope they miss me. West (UNINTELLIGIBLE) High School, and I am going to miss a lot of them. I miss my girl's basketball team, so I will be back soon. Make sure you keep winning.
ROBERTSON: And it is your son's 12th birthday next week as well.
P. JENKINS: Yes it is, and I hope he has a great birthday. He is going to be 12 on the 12th, so he is getting to be a teenager. So hopefully I will get home and be with him. So, you know, happy birthday, Javon (ph).
ROBERTSON: Charlene, do the children have a message for their daddy here?
C. JENKINS: Yes, can I pass? Javon (ph) has something to say.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Hey, Dad. Daddy? Daddy?
P. JENKINS: How are you doing, Javon (ph)?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: All right.
P. JENKINS: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Yes. What are you doing? Daddy?
P. JENKINS: Well, we just sitting here interviewing with you. Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: OK. Here's Kai (ph).
P. JENKINS: How are you doing today?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Hey, Daddy.
ROBERTSON: Charlene...
P. JENKINS: Hi, Kai (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Hey, Daddy.
P. JENKINS: Hi, Kai (ph), how are you?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Fine.
ROBERTSON: Well, Patrick, how does this feel?
P. JENKINS: It feels great.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Bye, Daddy.
ROBERTSON: Charlene...
P. JENKINS: Bye bye.
ROBERTSON: Bye everybody in Baton Rouge. Patrick, thank you very much.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Hey, Daddy.
P. JENKINS: Thank you.
ROBERTSON: Daryn, back to you.
KAGAN: Nic, I know with two little girls at home, you can appreciate what that phone conversation sounds like. Just like conversations of little girls talking to their dads all around the world. Very precious. Our thanks to you.
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