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CNN Live Today
Interview with Melissa Reyna-Ojeda, Family
Aired July 04, 2002 - 11:25 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: And we want to move on because we have another one of those very heartwarming reunions to set up for you in Bagram, and then also here in the U.S. And this is with the Reyna family, beginning with Specialist Melissa Reyna-Ojeda.
And let's go back to Nic in Bagram -- Nic.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, I'm joined by Specialist Melissa Reyna-Ojeda. How is life here for you. You were telling me just now that life so close to the flight line can be really difficult.
SPC. MELISSA REYNA-OJEDA, U.S. ARMY: Yes. It can be difficult to get used to all the sounds and noises, and it is difficult to sleep sometimes, but it was very interesting, and a lot of surprises, but now I'm used to it. So, I'm just -- I'm just used to it now.
ROBERTSON: And what is it exactly you do here?
REYNA-OJEDA: I'm an intel analyst, I support the coalition forces.
ROBERTSON: Is that an interesting job? It sounds interesting, getting all this intelligence?
REYNA-OJEDA: Yes, it is very interesting. It's surprising, a little scary, but I just take it as it goes every day.
ROBERTSON: Now, Melissa, we're joined by you mom and dad, Saeda (ph) and Thomas (ph) in Orlando, Florida. Would you like to go ahead and say hi to them?
REYNA-OJEDA: Yes, please.
ROBERTSON: Go ahead.
REYNA-OJEDA: Hi, guys.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi, Melissa.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hi, Melissa. We love you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Remember we love you over here.
ROBERTSON: Guys, do you miss your little daughter out here?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, you bet. I miss my little daughter.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We hope we see her soon.
(CROSSTALK)
ROBERTSON: Do you worry about her out here?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Saeda (ph), you think I worry? Yes, I worry about my daughter.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She look very strong to me, so I think she will be OK.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
ROBERTSON: Melissa, make them feel better. Tell them how safe it is here.
REYNA-OJEDA: It's very safe here. I've gotten comfortable. I feel real safe, and I am happy. It's a lot nicer now than it was when we started. So, I'm actually very comfortable.
ROBERTSON: Guys, I can't tell you how bad it must have been before. What's got better here, Melissa?
REYNA-OJEDA: Well, I'm on a bed, and my tent is very homey. I have lots of pictures of home. And -- just now, I can call home more often, and it's nice to know that I have a lot of family connection, and just being in touch with them helps a lot.
ROBERTSON: Saeda (ph), is that the kind of picture you have of Melissa out here, sleeping on a bed in a tent with a homey atmosphere?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love it. I love it. I am glad that she is having that kind of experience and learning a lot, and being strong every day. I'm glad for her. Very happy for her. Very happy to see her now.
ROBERTSON: That's very good.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is good to see you.
ROBERTSON: Melissa, how is it -- Melissa, how is it to be able to talk to your mom here now? How does it feel?
REYNA-OJEDA: Well, at first, I didn't know I was going to come here, so it was a surprise to her, and I stalled a little bit in telling her because I was afraid of her reaction. But she took it better than I thought, so I was glad to not give her a heart attack, so... ROBERTSON: I want to hear from your brothers, though, how proud they are of you to be out here serving.
REYNA-OJEDA: Sammy (ph)?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... she's out there, you know, fighting for our country. So it is like, you know, she's helping out. It's great, you know.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I am proud of my sister. She's out there in the Army, it's cool.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am also proud of her. She is fighting for our country. I hope you get back soon.
ROBERTSON: Do you have a quick last message quickly before we go?
REYNA-OJEDA: Yes, Sammy (ph), I just wish you continue to get better. You have a lot of people praying for you, and I just hope you keep getting better, and I'll be home soon.
ROBERTSON: What's the matter with Sammy (ph)?
REYNA-OJEDA: Sammy is sick. He's been hospitalized for some time now, and he's very ill, but he has got a lot of people praying for him, and a lot of people supporting him, and he's very strong, he is very strong, and he will be better. He will do real good.
ROBERTSON: Melissa, Saeda (ph), Sammy (ph), Thomas. A lot of people out here thinking about you. Thank you very much -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Nic, thank you for that wonderful moment, and so glad we could be there and celebrate it and share it with the Reyna family, and we too, Sam (ph), Samuel (ph) Reyna, we are sending our best to you from here at CNN, 16-year-old brother of Melissa Reyna-Ojeda. Thank you so much.
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