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American Morning
Talk with Capt. Peter Johnson
Aired February 17, 2003 - 07:31 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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Bill Hemmer is standing by in Kuwait right now to share with us some of what he has discovered since he's gotten there -- good morning, Bill.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello again, Paula.
It is windy today, boy, and that sand kicks up, gets into your eyes and it can be a stinger. Part of what the U.S. military experiences on a 24 hour basis out here.
Quickly, I want to introduce you to a guy we find quite special.
Captain Pete Johnson is with us now out of California, a member of the U.S. Army, a Gulf War veteran.
CAPT. PETER JOHNSON, GULF WAR VETERAN: Yup.
HEMMER: You were a tank commander.
JOHNSON: Right.
HEMMER: You retired from active duty. Then you became a minister within the Presbyterian faith, now as a chaplain you're back here in the desert 12 years later.
JOHNSON: Right.
HEMMER: Why did you come back?
JOHNSON: Well, I love the United States Army and I wanted to make the change because I love god. I love my country. I love the U.S. Army. I love soldiers and being a chaplain in the United States Army is the best job.
HEMMER: How is the morale out here with all these conditions blowing around like this?
JOHNSON: The morale is surprisingly very good.
HEMMER: Got it.
You've got a phone call. Who's that from? Answer it. Maybe it's your wife watching CNN at home. Come on.
JOHNSON: Hello, Chaplain Johnson speaking. Yes, sir. I'm live on CNN. So are you, sir.
HEMMER: Come on.
JOHNSON: Yes.
HEMMER: Who is it?
JOHNSON: All right. Hold.
HEMMER: Who is it?
JOHNSON: Major Rideout (ph).
HEMMER: Is he in the States or is he here?
JOHNSON: He's here.
HEMMER: Oh, he's here. He's not even watching.
Thanks, Pete. Good to see you, pal.
JOHNSON: All right.
HEMMER: Back to Paula in New York.
I thought it was his wife. It could have been his wife. Talk to you in a little bit, Pete.
Thanks.
See you again in a couple of minutes, Paula.
ZAHN: Oh, it was only his boss. I guess you have to let us know a little bit later on what he had to say.
HEMMER: He can't (UNINTELLIGIBLE) his boss here in Kuwait, too.
ZAHN: Thanks, Bill.
HEMMER: Will do.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired February 17, 2003 - 07:31 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Bill Hemmer is standing by in Kuwait right now to share with us some of what he has discovered since he's gotten there -- good morning, Bill.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello again, Paula.
It is windy today, boy, and that sand kicks up, gets into your eyes and it can be a stinger. Part of what the U.S. military experiences on a 24 hour basis out here.
Quickly, I want to introduce you to a guy we find quite special.
Captain Pete Johnson is with us now out of California, a member of the U.S. Army, a Gulf War veteran.
CAPT. PETER JOHNSON, GULF WAR VETERAN: Yup.
HEMMER: You were a tank commander.
JOHNSON: Right.
HEMMER: You retired from active duty. Then you became a minister within the Presbyterian faith, now as a chaplain you're back here in the desert 12 years later.
JOHNSON: Right.
HEMMER: Why did you come back?
JOHNSON: Well, I love the United States Army and I wanted to make the change because I love god. I love my country. I love the U.S. Army. I love soldiers and being a chaplain in the United States Army is the best job.
HEMMER: How is the morale out here with all these conditions blowing around like this?
JOHNSON: The morale is surprisingly very good.
HEMMER: Got it.
You've got a phone call. Who's that from? Answer it. Maybe it's your wife watching CNN at home. Come on.
JOHNSON: Hello, Chaplain Johnson speaking. Yes, sir. I'm live on CNN. So are you, sir.
HEMMER: Come on.
JOHNSON: Yes.
HEMMER: Who is it?
JOHNSON: All right. Hold.
HEMMER: Who is it?
JOHNSON: Major Rideout (ph).
HEMMER: Is he in the States or is he here?
JOHNSON: He's here.
HEMMER: Oh, he's here. He's not even watching.
Thanks, Pete. Good to see you, pal.
JOHNSON: All right.
HEMMER: Back to Paula in New York.
I thought it was his wife. It could have been his wife. Talk to you in a little bit, Pete.
Thanks.
See you again in a couple of minutes, Paula.
ZAHN: Oh, it was only his boss. I guess you have to let us know a little bit later on what he had to say.
HEMMER: He can't (UNINTELLIGIBLE) his boss here in Kuwait, too.
ZAHN: Thanks, Bill.
HEMMER: Will do.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
