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CNN Live Today
Interview With Former POW's Family
Aired April 21, 2003 - 10:04 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: Meanwhile, Easter weekend underlining the importance of new beginnings, both in symbolism and spirituality for President Bush. He left his ranch for nearby Fort Hood. That is where he attended Easter services with two of the recently freed American POWs. The Apache helicopter pilots and five other Americans spent three weeks as prisoners in Iraq.
Our Susan Candiotti is at Fort Hood. She joins us with more -- Susan, good morning.
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. As their first week -- full week back in the United States begins, former POW pilots Dave Williams and Ronald Young begin to try to readjust. Now, there are no public appearances on tap this day, unlike yesterday when both men and their immediate families attended Easter services with President Bush, the first lady, and Mr. Bush's parents. And then they meet privately with them. The pilots called the experience "awesome." The president said he was the one encouraged by talking with the pilots.
Now during that private meeting with the president, Ronald Young's mother, Kaye, gave the president one of her now patented family hugs, just as she did when she was reunited with her son on Saturday night.
Now, joining me live are some of Ronald Young's brothers and sisters, sister-in-law as well. Joining us now to talk what that experience was like. Kelly Lively, first of all, what did you make of that meeting with the president yesterday, as well as what did your brother think of it?
KELLY LIVELY, SISTER OF RONALD YOUNG: He was excited. When we got on the bus to go over there, he -- I said, well, what do you think about meeting the president? He was just like, this is awesome. He was so glad to be able to do that. But what I found so great about the president -- I've always had respect for him -- is that he was so -- he's just so touchable. And so he came by and not only talked to Ron and David, but to each and every one of us, and had conversation with us. It was just remarkable to -- to see how just personable he is.
CANDIOTTI: And afterwards, he said he was the one honored by being in their presence. Kelly -- Mark, what did you make of that?
MARK YOUNG, BROTHER OF RONALD YOUNG: Well, just like I said, it just shows how down to earth the president is. And he is definitely a man that we're definitely behind. CANDIOTTI: How would you describe your brother's mood? You're his big brother. You probably know him very, very well. How much time have you had to really have had a chance to chat with him since...
M. YOUNG: I mean, we've talked. We talked about childhood things and growing up and different little scuffles and things. Just things that are really funny now.
STEPHANIE YOUNG, SISTER-IN-LAW OF RONALD YOUNG: They're cutting up -- they're cutting up just like they always have, all of them.
CANDIOTTI: Now, Stephanie, do you think -- how hard is it for you to let him out of your sight now?
S. YOUNG: Well, I think everybody wants to spend every minute that they're awake with him. And it's just hard -- you don't want to overwhelm him, but at the same time, that is what we told him last night. We'd hug you every minute if you'd let us. It's pretty hard, but you also think about him and what he needs.
CANDIOTTI: And finally, real quick, is he aware of all the publicity, television coverage?
S. YOUNG: Not too much.
M. YOUNG: It's probably starting to sink -- sinking in a little more and a little more, and that is good. Someone this morning described it as coming in waves. It's definitely coming in waves.
S. YOUNG: Maybe he's watching us now.
K. LIVELY: Ron is just so worried and concerned about the other troops out there. And he feels like they are heroes and so -- I think...
(CROSSTALK)
S. YOUNG: He wants everybody to pray for them, just like he's been doing.
CANDIOTTI: Well, thank you so much for being so generous with your time in joining us this day, and we can tell everyone back at home that Ron Young will be soon heading home, as a matter of fact, tomorrow with his parents, with the members of his immediate family, heading back home to Georgia. Daryn, back to you.
KAGAN: Very good. Look forward to having him back here. Susan Candiotti, thank you so 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 April 21, 2003 - 10:04 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Meanwhile, Easter weekend underlining the importance of new beginnings, both in symbolism and spirituality for President Bush. He left his ranch for nearby Fort Hood. That is where he attended Easter services with two of the recently freed American POWs. The Apache helicopter pilots and five other Americans spent three weeks as prisoners in Iraq.
Our Susan Candiotti is at Fort Hood. She joins us with more -- Susan, good morning.
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. As their first week -- full week back in the United States begins, former POW pilots Dave Williams and Ronald Young begin to try to readjust. Now, there are no public appearances on tap this day, unlike yesterday when both men and their immediate families attended Easter services with President Bush, the first lady, and Mr. Bush's parents. And then they meet privately with them. The pilots called the experience "awesome." The president said he was the one encouraged by talking with the pilots.
Now during that private meeting with the president, Ronald Young's mother, Kaye, gave the president one of her now patented family hugs, just as she did when she was reunited with her son on Saturday night.
Now, joining me live are some of Ronald Young's brothers and sisters, sister-in-law as well. Joining us now to talk what that experience was like. Kelly Lively, first of all, what did you make of that meeting with the president yesterday, as well as what did your brother think of it?
KELLY LIVELY, SISTER OF RONALD YOUNG: He was excited. When we got on the bus to go over there, he -- I said, well, what do you think about meeting the president? He was just like, this is awesome. He was so glad to be able to do that. But what I found so great about the president -- I've always had respect for him -- is that he was so -- he's just so touchable. And so he came by and not only talked to Ron and David, but to each and every one of us, and had conversation with us. It was just remarkable to -- to see how just personable he is.
CANDIOTTI: And afterwards, he said he was the one honored by being in their presence. Kelly -- Mark, what did you make of that?
MARK YOUNG, BROTHER OF RONALD YOUNG: Well, just like I said, it just shows how down to earth the president is. And he is definitely a man that we're definitely behind. CANDIOTTI: How would you describe your brother's mood? You're his big brother. You probably know him very, very well. How much time have you had to really have had a chance to chat with him since...
M. YOUNG: I mean, we've talked. We talked about childhood things and growing up and different little scuffles and things. Just things that are really funny now.
STEPHANIE YOUNG, SISTER-IN-LAW OF RONALD YOUNG: They're cutting up -- they're cutting up just like they always have, all of them.
CANDIOTTI: Now, Stephanie, do you think -- how hard is it for you to let him out of your sight now?
S. YOUNG: Well, I think everybody wants to spend every minute that they're awake with him. And it's just hard -- you don't want to overwhelm him, but at the same time, that is what we told him last night. We'd hug you every minute if you'd let us. It's pretty hard, but you also think about him and what he needs.
CANDIOTTI: And finally, real quick, is he aware of all the publicity, television coverage?
S. YOUNG: Not too much.
M. YOUNG: It's probably starting to sink -- sinking in a little more and a little more, and that is good. Someone this morning described it as coming in waves. It's definitely coming in waves.
S. YOUNG: Maybe he's watching us now.
K. LIVELY: Ron is just so worried and concerned about the other troops out there. And he feels like they are heroes and so -- I think...
(CROSSTALK)
S. YOUNG: He wants everybody to pray for them, just like he's been doing.
CANDIOTTI: Well, thank you so much for being so generous with your time in joining us this day, and we can tell everyone back at home that Ron Young will be soon heading home, as a matter of fact, tomorrow with his parents, with the members of his immediate family, heading back home to Georgia. Daryn, back to you.
KAGAN: Very good. Look forward to having him back here. Susan Candiotti, thank you so 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
