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American Morning
President Bush's Declares End to Major Combat in Iraq
Aired May 02, 2003 - 07:03 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: Back to the ship, to the president's speech from the deck of that aircraft carrier packed an emotional and political punch last night.
Frank Buckley live today on board the Lincoln with a bit of a morning-after look at the president's address today.
Frank -- good morning there.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill, the morning after the president's speech the morning of the day that these guys get to go home and see their families after nearly 10 long months of deployment overseas.
The president arriving here on the ship last night -- or yesterday in dramatic fashion for that primetime speech. The president arriving aboard an S-3 Viking for a "tailhook" landing, the first time a president has done that on an aircraft carrier. The S-3 Viking piloted by Skip Lussier, the XO (ph) of VS-35, the Blue Wolves Squadron here.
After that, the president got out of his aircraft, shook a lot of hands, and last night delivered that primetime speech to the nation, announcing the end of major combat operations in Iraq and thanking these sailors.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: When Iraqi civilians looked into the faces of our service men and women, they saw strength and kindness and goodwill. When I look at the members of the United States military, I see the best of our country, and I'm honored to be your commander-in-chief.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BUCKLEY: And in just a little while, these sailors who are aboard Abraham Lincoln will be going to San Diego Bay, which the live picture you're looking at right now. There is where they'll be for some emotional reunions with their family members.
President Bush is still aboard the aircraft carrier this morning. He'll be leaving in a couple of hours aboard Marine One, and then shortly after that, these sailors will be leaving to see their families, which they haven't seen for nearly 10 months -- Bill.
HEMMER: What a homecoming it is. Thanks, Frank -- Frank Buckley on board the Lincoln. We'll be back in touch with you throughout the morning here.
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 May 2, 2003 - 07:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Back to the ship, to the president's speech from the deck of that aircraft carrier packed an emotional and political punch last night.
Frank Buckley live today on board the Lincoln with a bit of a morning-after look at the president's address today.
Frank -- good morning there.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill, the morning after the president's speech the morning of the day that these guys get to go home and see their families after nearly 10 long months of deployment overseas.
The president arriving here on the ship last night -- or yesterday in dramatic fashion for that primetime speech. The president arriving aboard an S-3 Viking for a "tailhook" landing, the first time a president has done that on an aircraft carrier. The S-3 Viking piloted by Skip Lussier, the XO (ph) of VS-35, the Blue Wolves Squadron here.
After that, the president got out of his aircraft, shook a lot of hands, and last night delivered that primetime speech to the nation, announcing the end of major combat operations in Iraq and thanking these sailors.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: When Iraqi civilians looked into the faces of our service men and women, they saw strength and kindness and goodwill. When I look at the members of the United States military, I see the best of our country, and I'm honored to be your commander-in-chief.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BUCKLEY: And in just a little while, these sailors who are aboard Abraham Lincoln will be going to San Diego Bay, which the live picture you're looking at right now. There is where they'll be for some emotional reunions with their family members.
President Bush is still aboard the aircraft carrier this morning. He'll be leaving in a couple of hours aboard Marine One, and then shortly after that, these sailors will be leaving to see their families, which they haven't seen for nearly 10 months -- Bill.
HEMMER: What a homecoming it is. Thanks, Frank -- Frank Buckley on board the Lincoln. We'll be back in touch with you throughout the morning here.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
