Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Interview With Fred Hudson, Ft. Bliss Senior Chaplain

Aired April 11, 2003 - 10:43   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.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Fort Bliss in Texas is coming to terms with a loss of nine soldiers from the 507th Maintenance Company, which was based at the camp. A memorial service will be held today in honor of the unit, which was ambushed in Iraq.
Joining us now is Colonel Fred Hudson. He is senior Chaplain at the base. Chaplain, thanks for being with us. We appreciate it.

COL. FRED HUDSON, SENIOR CHAPLAIN, FT. BLISS: Thank you.

KAGAN: I'd just like to say out of tribute to the nine who lost their lives we will be showing their pictures as we have this short discussion here, Chaplain. Could you tell us, please, what will take place at today's service?

HUDSON: We will honor the death of our fallen soldiers, individuals who all volunteered for the Army and we seek to honor them by elevating the fact that they are high-profile people. They're high profile because they're soldiers. They're high profile because they're in a special calling. There's a calling to be a soldier. We learn that from -- from the Lord.

So we seek to lift them up today as high-profile people who gave and in fact, the news this week, as yesterday, as Baghdad, the statue came down -- each one of these soldier his a vital part in helping that to happen and we're proud of our soldiers. We want to honor them appropriately. Among the many things that will be happening today will be the role call of each name, of each soldier, the playing of "Taps," the firing of volleys and the bagpipes will play "Amazing Grace" leaving the -- the facility.

KAGAN: There have been so many contrasts to this story, Chaplain. Of course, Private Lynch -- Jessica Lynch, who was rescued, was also a member of the 507th. It must be so difficult for these family members to go through this -- being -- being proud of Private Lynch and yet, perhaps, somewhere deep in their soul, wondering why it couldn't have been one of their loved ones who was saved.

HUDSON: That's a very normal feeling. Every family, every mother, every father, husband, wife, son or daughter, grandparent would feel that very same way -- why did my child die? But they can know and they can rest assured of this: that their -- their soldier died with a purpose. It was fulfilling the mission of our country, a very honorable mission, a right thing to do to overcome a very great source of evil and the death of their soldier's a great loss, a tragic loss for all, but it had a -- it had a very noble purpose to it.

KAGAN: It is indeed and just one more question for you on the timing of this memorial service. It -- it happens on a day when there's only one more major metropolitan area in Iraq that had yet to fall to coalition forces. Will this be part of the service to give the family some type of solace that, as you mentioned, their family members, their loved ones took part in a brave battle?

HUDSON: Exactly. Our installation, our post is affected by those who've been wounded, those who are POWs and those who have been killed. And there's a range of emotions in each -- each area that's very deep and -- and significant. The intent behind our memorial ceremony today is specifically to honor these soldiers, to comfort their family members and just to remember them in a way that would be appropriate.

KAGAN: Well, our thoughts are with you on this special day at Fort Bliss. Chaplain Fred Hudson. Chaplain, thank you for joining us.

HUDSON: Thank you.

KAGAN: Appreciate your time.

HUDSON: Thank you.

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 April 11, 2003 - 10:43   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Fort Bliss in Texas is coming to terms with a loss of nine soldiers from the 507th Maintenance Company, which was based at the camp. A memorial service will be held today in honor of the unit, which was ambushed in Iraq.
Joining us now is Colonel Fred Hudson. He is senior Chaplain at the base. Chaplain, thanks for being with us. We appreciate it.

COL. FRED HUDSON, SENIOR CHAPLAIN, FT. BLISS: Thank you.

KAGAN: I'd just like to say out of tribute to the nine who lost their lives we will be showing their pictures as we have this short discussion here, Chaplain. Could you tell us, please, what will take place at today's service?

HUDSON: We will honor the death of our fallen soldiers, individuals who all volunteered for the Army and we seek to honor them by elevating the fact that they are high-profile people. They're high profile because they're soldiers. They're high profile because they're in a special calling. There's a calling to be a soldier. We learn that from -- from the Lord.

So we seek to lift them up today as high-profile people who gave and in fact, the news this week, as yesterday, as Baghdad, the statue came down -- each one of these soldier his a vital part in helping that to happen and we're proud of our soldiers. We want to honor them appropriately. Among the many things that will be happening today will be the role call of each name, of each soldier, the playing of "Taps," the firing of volleys and the bagpipes will play "Amazing Grace" leaving the -- the facility.

KAGAN: There have been so many contrasts to this story, Chaplain. Of course, Private Lynch -- Jessica Lynch, who was rescued, was also a member of the 507th. It must be so difficult for these family members to go through this -- being -- being proud of Private Lynch and yet, perhaps, somewhere deep in their soul, wondering why it couldn't have been one of their loved ones who was saved.

HUDSON: That's a very normal feeling. Every family, every mother, every father, husband, wife, son or daughter, grandparent would feel that very same way -- why did my child die? But they can know and they can rest assured of this: that their -- their soldier died with a purpose. It was fulfilling the mission of our country, a very honorable mission, a right thing to do to overcome a very great source of evil and the death of their soldier's a great loss, a tragic loss for all, but it had a -- it had a very noble purpose to it.

KAGAN: It is indeed and just one more question for you on the timing of this memorial service. It -- it happens on a day when there's only one more major metropolitan area in Iraq that had yet to fall to coalition forces. Will this be part of the service to give the family some type of solace that, as you mentioned, their family members, their loved ones took part in a brave battle?

HUDSON: Exactly. Our installation, our post is affected by those who've been wounded, those who are POWs and those who have been killed. And there's a range of emotions in each -- each area that's very deep and -- and significant. The intent behind our memorial ceremony today is specifically to honor these soldiers, to comfort their family members and just to remember them in a way that would be appropriate.

KAGAN: Well, our thoughts are with you on this special day at Fort Bliss. Chaplain Fred Hudson. Chaplain, thank you for joining us.

HUDSON: Thank you.

KAGAN: Appreciate your time.

HUDSON: Thank you.

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