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CNN Live At Daybreak
U.S. Troops Mark Memorial Day in Baghdad
Aired May 26, 2003 - 06:03 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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: We begin this holiday edition of DAYBREAK with a look at how Memorial Day is being celebrated not just here in the United States, but also in Iraq. U.S. troops still on duty there won't get to enjoy back yard picnics with their families today, but they will remember their fallen comrades.
For details on that and more, let's go live to Baghdad now and Matthew Chance.
Hello -- Matthew.
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thank you, Carol, and hello to you.
Memorial Day here in Baghdad is of special importance, of course, to the many thousands of troops who have been here for many, many months fighting in this conflict. I'm here with the Task Force 1-64, part of the 3rd Infantry Division, and the very first unit that entered the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, back on the 5th of April.
Joining us now to discuss the events that ran up to that is Lieutenant Christian Nelson from Wisconsin.
Lieutenant, thank you very much for being with us.
That entry into Baghdad, was it the high point of your war?
LT. CHRISTIAN NELSON, TF 1-64 ARMOUR: Yes, most definitely. Both the entry on the 5th of April and then the 7th when we actually took Baghdad and held the ground, and just seeing the Task Force come together and the coalition forces as a whole, well, we succeeded in our mission, and seeing the platoon excel, that was most definitely the high points of the war for me.
CHANCE: Now, your unit and your division have, in fact, been in the region since back in September now. What's the morale like of your guys?
NELSON: Well, we're definitely anxious to go home. We've been here since -- we left September 21, so over eight months now. We miss our families and loved ones back home. But, you know, we do understand our mission is to be here and we'll take care of that mission, but we are anxious to get home and get back to our loved ones.
CHANCE: A bit of frustration, though. It's been what? Eight- and-a-half months? NELSON: Yes.
CHANCE: It's a long time for anyone, isn't it?
NELSON: Yes, definitely. I'd have preferred to be back by now, but I understand we have to complete our mission and do what we're called to do. But definitely I can't wait to get back to loved ones and families back home, so I'm looking forward to that.
CHANCE: When you go out into the streets of Baghdad, do you feel that the U.S. has made a big difference in this country?
NELSON: Most definitely. You can see the city is getting back on its feet, more secure, people going about doing their business in the marketplace, hospitals up and running, power, water coming on line. And, you know, the support of the people for their liberation and their freedom has been great from the Iraqis.
CHANCE: All right, Lieutenant Nelson, thanks very much for being with us here on CNN.
NELSON: Thank you.
CHANCE: There you have it, Carol. Sentiments expressed there by the lieutenant, shared by many, many of his comrades as well. For them, Memorial Day has a special significance. It's quite abstract for many people, I expect, who haven't experienced the conflict. But with these people, they say now that they've seen combat face-to-face and it gives them a whole new perspective on this Memorial Day.
COSTELLO: Understand. Matthew Chance reporting live from Baghdad this morning.
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 26, 2003 - 06:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: We begin this holiday edition of DAYBREAK with a look at how Memorial Day is being celebrated not just here in the United States, but also in Iraq. U.S. troops still on duty there won't get to enjoy back yard picnics with their families today, but they will remember their fallen comrades.
For details on that and more, let's go live to Baghdad now and Matthew Chance.
Hello -- Matthew.
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thank you, Carol, and hello to you.
Memorial Day here in Baghdad is of special importance, of course, to the many thousands of troops who have been here for many, many months fighting in this conflict. I'm here with the Task Force 1-64, part of the 3rd Infantry Division, and the very first unit that entered the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, back on the 5th of April.
Joining us now to discuss the events that ran up to that is Lieutenant Christian Nelson from Wisconsin.
Lieutenant, thank you very much for being with us.
That entry into Baghdad, was it the high point of your war?
LT. CHRISTIAN NELSON, TF 1-64 ARMOUR: Yes, most definitely. Both the entry on the 5th of April and then the 7th when we actually took Baghdad and held the ground, and just seeing the Task Force come together and the coalition forces as a whole, well, we succeeded in our mission, and seeing the platoon excel, that was most definitely the high points of the war for me.
CHANCE: Now, your unit and your division have, in fact, been in the region since back in September now. What's the morale like of your guys?
NELSON: Well, we're definitely anxious to go home. We've been here since -- we left September 21, so over eight months now. We miss our families and loved ones back home. But, you know, we do understand our mission is to be here and we'll take care of that mission, but we are anxious to get home and get back to our loved ones.
CHANCE: A bit of frustration, though. It's been what? Eight- and-a-half months? NELSON: Yes.
CHANCE: It's a long time for anyone, isn't it?
NELSON: Yes, definitely. I'd have preferred to be back by now, but I understand we have to complete our mission and do what we're called to do. But definitely I can't wait to get back to loved ones and families back home, so I'm looking forward to that.
CHANCE: When you go out into the streets of Baghdad, do you feel that the U.S. has made a big difference in this country?
NELSON: Most definitely. You can see the city is getting back on its feet, more secure, people going about doing their business in the marketplace, hospitals up and running, power, water coming on line. And, you know, the support of the people for their liberation and their freedom has been great from the Iraqis.
CHANCE: All right, Lieutenant Nelson, thanks very much for being with us here on CNN.
NELSON: Thank you.
CHANCE: There you have it, Carol. Sentiments expressed there by the lieutenant, shared by many, many of his comrades as well. For them, Memorial Day has a special significance. It's quite abstract for many people, I expect, who haven't experienced the conflict. But with these people, they say now that they've seen combat face-to-face and it gives them a whole new perspective on this Memorial Day.
COSTELLO: Understand. Matthew Chance reporting live from Baghdad this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.