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CNN Live Today

The Truman's Triumph

Aired May 23, 2003 - 10:45   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.


LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Some 8,000 sailors and Marines going to have a good weekend, you can guarantee that, because right now, they are at Norfolk Naval Station in Virginia, or are about to be there. The nine ships headed of the Truman battle group headed toward part now as the Navy's first large homecoming on the East Coast since the war ended.
Our Kathleen Koch is standing by there. She joins us now with the picture there.

Hi. How's it going, Kathleen?

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A little wet, a little rainy, Leon, It's been raining here all day. It is cold. It is windy, but you know, not a single family member here, I think, would say they mind. This is a day they've been waiting nearly six months for.

Now the "USS Harry S. Truman" is due to come in at about 12:30. But you know, people started lining up at 6:00 a.m. this morning, everybody wanting to get the best position along the rail, especially with this sea of umbrellas in the way.

One person, though, who did not have to wait in line is Linda Johnston.

Linda, you won the lottery.

Linda, your husband, Gary, will be the first one down the gangplank. Tell us, how is that going to feel?

LINDA JOHNSTON, FIRST KISS LOTTERY WINNER: I am very excited. The kids are extremely excited. It's a wonderful feeling to know that they got home safely and that we get to see him first before anybody else does and it's just a wonderful feeling.

KOCH: You've been married for 10 years, and I understand he missed a pretty important anniversary.

JOHNSTON: He was gone in September, they were on a six-week debt, and he missed our 10-year anniversary.

KOCH: But you're going to very excited, and you kids, too, to see daddy when gets home, right?

Excellent. Thanks so much.

Now also coming down the gangplank right after Gary, of course, will be the new fathers. There were 109 babies born while this ship was out at sea, and here with us is Lisa Palmer, with her brand new baby boy, Cameron, born just a month ago.

Lisa, how is go it going to feel when your husband comes down that gangplank.

LISA PALMER, NEW MOM: I am so excited. I can't wait. It's going to be wonderful to see him again.

KOCH: Lisa, has he been able to see little Cameron? I know that they have the satellite hookups where the dads do get a peek of their newborn.

PALMER: He hasn't. He's only seen pictures on the computer.

KOCH: Now. this is little Tyler, 18 months old. I know he's missed his daddy a lot. A lot of milestones happen while his dad was gone?

PALMER: He loves his daddy. He misses him so much.

KOCH: Your husband, Stephen, his two sisters are here, Andrew and Leslie. How are you guys doing? Are you looking forward to seeing your brother?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She's my sister.

PALMER: Sister-in-law.

KOCH: So what are you going to be doing first when he gets off the ship? Do you have plans today? A big celebration at home?

PALMER: Actually we don't. I think we're just going to go home and relax and let him enjoy his new baby and his other son.

KOCH: Thank you so much, Lisa.

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 23, 2003 - 10:45   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Some 8,000 sailors and Marines going to have a good weekend, you can guarantee that, because right now, they are at Norfolk Naval Station in Virginia, or are about to be there. The nine ships headed of the Truman battle group headed toward part now as the Navy's first large homecoming on the East Coast since the war ended.
Our Kathleen Koch is standing by there. She joins us now with the picture there.

Hi. How's it going, Kathleen?

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A little wet, a little rainy, Leon, It's been raining here all day. It is cold. It is windy, but you know, not a single family member here, I think, would say they mind. This is a day they've been waiting nearly six months for.

Now the "USS Harry S. Truman" is due to come in at about 12:30. But you know, people started lining up at 6:00 a.m. this morning, everybody wanting to get the best position along the rail, especially with this sea of umbrellas in the way.

One person, though, who did not have to wait in line is Linda Johnston.

Linda, you won the lottery.

Linda, your husband, Gary, will be the first one down the gangplank. Tell us, how is that going to feel?

LINDA JOHNSTON, FIRST KISS LOTTERY WINNER: I am very excited. The kids are extremely excited. It's a wonderful feeling to know that they got home safely and that we get to see him first before anybody else does and it's just a wonderful feeling.

KOCH: You've been married for 10 years, and I understand he missed a pretty important anniversary.

JOHNSTON: He was gone in September, they were on a six-week debt, and he missed our 10-year anniversary.

KOCH: But you're going to very excited, and you kids, too, to see daddy when gets home, right?

Excellent. Thanks so much.

Now also coming down the gangplank right after Gary, of course, will be the new fathers. There were 109 babies born while this ship was out at sea, and here with us is Lisa Palmer, with her brand new baby boy, Cameron, born just a month ago.

Lisa, how is go it going to feel when your husband comes down that gangplank.

LISA PALMER, NEW MOM: I am so excited. I can't wait. It's going to be wonderful to see him again.

KOCH: Lisa, has he been able to see little Cameron? I know that they have the satellite hookups where the dads do get a peek of their newborn.

PALMER: He hasn't. He's only seen pictures on the computer.

KOCH: Now. this is little Tyler, 18 months old. I know he's missed his daddy a lot. A lot of milestones happen while his dad was gone?

PALMER: He loves his daddy. He misses him so much.

KOCH: Your husband, Stephen, his two sisters are here, Andrew and Leslie. How are you guys doing? Are you looking forward to seeing your brother?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She's my sister.

PALMER: Sister-in-law.

KOCH: So what are you going to be doing first when he gets off the ship? Do you have plans today? A big celebration at home?

PALMER: Actually we don't. I think we're just going to go home and relax and let him enjoy his new baby and his other son.

KOCH: Thank you so much, Lisa.

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