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CNN Live Today
Interview with Bill Faria, Josh Kampf
Aired August 12, 2002 - 11:13 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Two young Americans are walking across the country. They are honoring the people who died on September 11, and they are carrying an American flag with them, hoping to present one to each victim's family.
Bill Faria and Josh Kampf started out in Los Angeles on New Year's day. They have made it to Washington, D.C. on their way to New York City, and they are joining us from the nation's capital this morning -- good morning.
BILL FARIA, WALK FOR AMERICA: Good morning.
JOSH KAMPF, WALK FOR AMERICA: Good morning.
KAGAN: I think we had a chance to talk with you guys before you headed out. Good to see that you are making it.
FARIA: Yes, it great to be here. It took a lot longer than flying, but we made it.
KAGAN: Yes, and you don't get the same miles, but you are getting a lot more out of it. What have you been learning along the way?
FARIA: It's been pretty amazing seeing how friendly the American people have been, whether it is just us walking down the street, whether they know what we're doing or not, having people feed us, take us into their homes, and it's been amazing.
KAGAN: And Josh, take us back a second. As I understand it, you guys don't have any connection necessarily to someone -- to anyone who died on September 11, but you were particularly moved, didn't have a lot of money in your pocket, you guys just wanted to do something.
KAMPF: That's correct. The idea was to start a memorial where people all across the country could participate and be a part of the memorial. So we carried with us the 4,000 American flags, and in towns and cities we've been in all across the country, we have invited people to come out and carry those flags, and be a part of the memorial. And so, starting on the 17th of August, we are going to be leaving here, walking up the East coast and stopping in the towns and cities along the way, and carrying the flags to New York City.
KAGAN: Yes, and the idea is to end up at Ground Zero on September 11?
KAMPF: That's correct. KAGAN: And tell me about the people that you have met along the way.
KAMPF: It has just been absolutely amazing. People have taken us in, fed us, and helped us with this project, and it's just been extremely moving. I didn't know -- neither of us knew what it was going to be like when we started this trip, or how we would be received, and it's just been truly, truly moving.
KAGAN: Any low points along the way, Bill?
FARIA: The worst things that happened to us is, I ate some bad ribs in Texas, and got food poisoning. Josh had a shower door slip off its hinges in New Mexico, and had to get stitches, so he limped around for a while, but really nothing -- nothing bad has happened, beside some bad weather, some cold weather, but we've been very fortunate.
KAGAN: Has part of this been to raise money or raise awareness or raise spirits?
KAMPF: The most important part is the memorial, and you know, bringing the country together and having something everyone can be a part of, and the secondary thing was, as a result of it, people felt the need to give not only to have these flags that we are carrying framed so that they can be presented to victims' families on September 11, but also for a scholarship fund that we started as a result of what we're doing.
KAGAN: And where will that money go, what kind of scholarship fund?
KAMPF: We started a scholarship fund for victims of terrorist attacks, and the idea being that no person should be unable to further their education as a result of the tragedies on September 11 or any other terrorist attack against the United States.
KAGAN: From everything I have been able to read about you guys, this is unlike anything you have ever done. So -- and I would imagine that it is a life-changing event. Where do you go from here? What is next?
FARIA: We get that question a lot, and I am going to go home and spend some time with my family, see my friends, and just take it one day at a time. If this trip has taught us anything, it is that you never know where life is going to take you, so we are just kind of playing it by ear.
KAGAN: So true. I imagine you are going to fly home, though.
FARIA: Yes, yes. We probably will.
KAGAN: Good idea. Well, it looks like perhaps the most moving part of what has been an incredible journey is still ahead as you go from D.C. to New York, so we wish you well with that, and check in with us once you get to New York City. (CROSSTALK)
FARIA: Certainly will. Thank you for having us.
KAMPF: Thank you very much.
KAGAN: Congratulations on a fantastic journey. Bill Faria and Josh Kampf.
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