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American Morning

Interview With Harper Family

Aired March 19, 2003 - 09:43   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.


BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Ronald Harper and his wife Mary have mixed emotions about a war with Iraq, and who could blame them? The Harpers have four children and a son-in-law now stationed on the front lines in the desert sands of Kuwait. We first talked to the parents last month, along with their other son, an Army private, who may soon be on his way to the Gulf region as well.
Ronald and Mary Harper now back with us live in Belleview, Florida on AMERICAN MORNING to tell us about how they are doing today.

And I guess, Mom -- at this point, Mary, how do you right now, knowing that the potential for conflict is only hours away, your feeling inside is what?

MARY HARPER, MOTHER OF SOLDIERS: I'm OK. I'm actually trying to stay very strong for my kids. I know they want me to, and I've involved myself in a couple of things that have really helped out. We have started a shoebox drive for the soldiers, and I have become involved with the Blue Star Mothers of America, and it's really helping us get through this.

HEMMER: Yes. What are the other mothers saying? Similar feeling to you?

M. HARPER: Yes. They're -- I mean, we're all kind of on edge, but to have them and have them able -- be able to talk to them because they're all going through the same thing right now, it really helps a lot to have that support system.

HEMMER: Ronald, when the president made his speech on Monday night, when he issued that 48-hour ultimatum that now is less than 12 hours at this point, coming up on 10, did the feeling for you change? Did it feel like things are getting more and more imminent?

RONALD HARPER, FATHER OF SOLDIERS: Yes, sir, they did. But in the same token, I feel this is something that he needs to do, and something that should have been done a long time ago. Unfortunately, we have to put our children through this, and the other soldiers also. But the training that they've got and the guidance that they've got over there, I think we'll come out the victor.

(CROSSTALK)

HEMMER: Ronald, what have your children told you -- apologize about the delay in the satellite. What have your children told you about how they are preparing themselves in the event of combat? R. HARPER: Well, we were able to talk to a couple of them since they've been over there, and they feel about the same way. They're confident, and they are just going on with their daily routine. And of course, they're a little nervous, and probably scared. They haven't said as much, but I'm sure they are. But the training that they've had, the confidence that they've got over there in knowing that we've gave them all the support that we know how to give them, through the shoebox drive and other things that -- I think they'll be OK.

HEMMER: Mary, I want to know about the shoebox drive a bit more. Tell us about it so our viewers know.

M. HARPER: Well, we're actually sending boxes to as many soldiers as we can. We're trying to get names. It is really hard to get names. The military is not releasing them, but we have about 200 now, and we have sent out about 150 boxes already, and our local elementary school here, Belleview Elementary, has been extremely helpful. The community, they say that we're a community with a heart, and we really are. The community has really chipped in, and are supporting the soldiers. It's just been overwhelming. It's wonderful.

HEMMER: Operation Shoebox, for our viewers, Mary and Ronald, P.O. Box 1465 down in Belleview, Florida, 34421-1465. You can see it on the screen. Grab a pen and write it down quick, folks, if you're watching at home. Mary, before we let you go, I know Ronald talked about the conversation that he had with your kids. What was the feeling you got -- I am curious to know what you got from that, and also, how are you keeping up to date on information about the war? Are you constantly watching the television, or is that something you turn away from at times?

M. HARPER: We con constantly watch the television. If I'm not watching it, my mother's watching it, or our friends are watching it for us. I mean, we just constantly keep glued to the TV. It's been hard. I mean, I've had my moments where I've fallen apart. But my kids want me to stay strong for them, so I'm going to. I'm going to be strong for them.

HEMMER: Hang in there. All right. Ronald Harper and Mary Harper in Belleview, Florida. Five direct family members now involved here in the military buildup in Northern Kuwait. Thanks for your time. Best of luck to you. Hang in there (ph).

(CROSSTALK)

M. HARPER: Thank you.

R. HARPER: Good luck.

HEMMER: All right. In a moment here -- thank you very much.

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 March 19, 2003 - 09:43   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Ronald Harper and his wife Mary have mixed emotions about a war with Iraq, and who could blame them? The Harpers have four children and a son-in-law now stationed on the front lines in the desert sands of Kuwait. We first talked to the parents last month, along with their other son, an Army private, who may soon be on his way to the Gulf region as well.
Ronald and Mary Harper now back with us live in Belleview, Florida on AMERICAN MORNING to tell us about how they are doing today.

And I guess, Mom -- at this point, Mary, how do you right now, knowing that the potential for conflict is only hours away, your feeling inside is what?

MARY HARPER, MOTHER OF SOLDIERS: I'm OK. I'm actually trying to stay very strong for my kids. I know they want me to, and I've involved myself in a couple of things that have really helped out. We have started a shoebox drive for the soldiers, and I have become involved with the Blue Star Mothers of America, and it's really helping us get through this.

HEMMER: Yes. What are the other mothers saying? Similar feeling to you?

M. HARPER: Yes. They're -- I mean, we're all kind of on edge, but to have them and have them able -- be able to talk to them because they're all going through the same thing right now, it really helps a lot to have that support system.

HEMMER: Ronald, when the president made his speech on Monday night, when he issued that 48-hour ultimatum that now is less than 12 hours at this point, coming up on 10, did the feeling for you change? Did it feel like things are getting more and more imminent?

RONALD HARPER, FATHER OF SOLDIERS: Yes, sir, they did. But in the same token, I feel this is something that he needs to do, and something that should have been done a long time ago. Unfortunately, we have to put our children through this, and the other soldiers also. But the training that they've got and the guidance that they've got over there, I think we'll come out the victor.

(CROSSTALK)

HEMMER: Ronald, what have your children told you -- apologize about the delay in the satellite. What have your children told you about how they are preparing themselves in the event of combat? R. HARPER: Well, we were able to talk to a couple of them since they've been over there, and they feel about the same way. They're confident, and they are just going on with their daily routine. And of course, they're a little nervous, and probably scared. They haven't said as much, but I'm sure they are. But the training that they've had, the confidence that they've got over there in knowing that we've gave them all the support that we know how to give them, through the shoebox drive and other things that -- I think they'll be OK.

HEMMER: Mary, I want to know about the shoebox drive a bit more. Tell us about it so our viewers know.

M. HARPER: Well, we're actually sending boxes to as many soldiers as we can. We're trying to get names. It is really hard to get names. The military is not releasing them, but we have about 200 now, and we have sent out about 150 boxes already, and our local elementary school here, Belleview Elementary, has been extremely helpful. The community, they say that we're a community with a heart, and we really are. The community has really chipped in, and are supporting the soldiers. It's just been overwhelming. It's wonderful.

HEMMER: Operation Shoebox, for our viewers, Mary and Ronald, P.O. Box 1465 down in Belleview, Florida, 34421-1465. You can see it on the screen. Grab a pen and write it down quick, folks, if you're watching at home. Mary, before we let you go, I know Ronald talked about the conversation that he had with your kids. What was the feeling you got -- I am curious to know what you got from that, and also, how are you keeping up to date on information about the war? Are you constantly watching the television, or is that something you turn away from at times?

M. HARPER: We con constantly watch the television. If I'm not watching it, my mother's watching it, or our friends are watching it for us. I mean, we just constantly keep glued to the TV. It's been hard. I mean, I've had my moments where I've fallen apart. But my kids want me to stay strong for them, so I'm going to. I'm going to be strong for them.

HEMMER: Hang in there. All right. Ronald Harper and Mary Harper in Belleview, Florida. Five direct family members now involved here in the military buildup in Northern Kuwait. Thanks for your time. Best of luck to you. Hang in there (ph).

(CROSSTALK)

M. HARPER: Thank you.

R. HARPER: Good luck.

HEMMER: All right. In a moment here -- thank you very much.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com