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CNN Live Today

Bush at Ft. Drum, New York Today

Aired July 19, 2002 - 12:34   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush is at Ft. Drum, New York today, home of many of the troops who were in the vanguard of the war against the Taliban.

CNN's Kelly Wallace is there, too, and joins with us the president's mission.

Pretty patriotic, I imagine, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Very patriotic indeed, Kyra. And President Bush will use his visit here to deliver a war update and a pep talk to some 10,000 soldiers gathered here; 2,000 of them served, or are currently serving in Afghanistan.

The president that will also use his visit to put pressure on Congress to have lawmakers wrap up work on defense spending bill. The president wants a significant increase, more than $48 billion in additional funds for the defense.

The president left the White House earlier this morning, and when he got here to Ft. Drum, the first thing he did, met with some of the troops, reviewed some of the charts they used in missions, including their work in Afghanistan, and then he watched some mock exercises, helicopter gun raids, how these soldiers prepare for hostile situations, and there, he told the troops -- quote -- "I am proud of you guys. The enemy made a bad mistake; they didn't understand you all."

Now, at this hour, the president is meeting with some troops and their families and is actually delivering a video teleconference, talking with some of the troops currently in Afghanistan. Some 300 soldiers based here at Ft. Drum are talking part, along with other coalition forces, trying to keep the security and continuing to go after Al Qaeda operatives in Afghanistan. The president talking to the troops, and then he will come here, where, again, people are anxiously awaiting his arrival. We are expecting the president to give a progress report in this fight against terrorism, and also to put even more pressure on lawmakers. He wants lawmakers to finish up work before they leave in august on emergency spending bill, which includes funding for this war on terror -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Kelly, let's remind folks about the 10th mountain division. Let's go back a number of months here. I mean, while the Navy, and Air Force, they were coming in and dropping bombs, these were the soldiers that went in on foot for the first time and blew up those caves and took a lot of risks.

WALLACE: They took a lot of risks. And it's very interesting, they did not lose any lives. They were, some of these soldiers based here, involved in Operation Anaconda. Our viewers will recall that. That was a big pursuit of a number of Al Qaeda operatives, very dangerous conditions. They sustained some injuries, but no loss of life. The men and women here, many of the front lines of the fighting there. They continue to be there. And obviously a lot of proud family members and troop members here saluting the work that continues -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, our Kelly Wallace at Ft. Drum, with her red, white and blue attire, I must add.

Kelly, we'll see you later in the hour.

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