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American Morning

Memorial Day Event on USS Intrepid

Aired May 26, 2003 - 07:07   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.


HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: In a Memorial Day proclamation, President Bush asked the nation to remember the men and women who lost their lives in war.
Attending a somber ceremony in New York, our Jason Carroll is live on board the USS Intrepid.

Good morning to you, Jason.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning to you, Heidi.

Despite all of the wind and the rain out here, New York Harbor has never actually looked so good. There are ships docked here from all over the world for Fleet Week. This is an opportunity for people to come out, see the ships, but more importantly, meet the men and the women who put their lives on the line for this country.

Joining me right now, two women, I've got Deon Ford and Stacey Sammis. Both of their husbands made the ultimate sacrifice for this country on April 5. They were pilots. They were shot down in Iraq.

Deon, I'm going to start with you. First of all, I want to express our condolences to you and your family, and how much we appreciate both of you coming out and speaking with us this morning.

Obviously, today, Memorial Day, having special significance for you and your family.

DEON FORD, HUSBAND DIED IN IRAQ WAR: Yes, it reminds me that there is a deep price for our freedom. Freedom is not free. And our husbands paid the ultimate price.

CARROLL: Stacey, how about you? This day for you, what sort of special meaning does it hold for you and your family?

STACEY SAMMIS, HUSBAND DIED IN IRAQ WAR: It's a special day for us since our husbands perished a few weeks ago, and it's a special occasion for us to be together here with the people who are celebrating America's heroes, so that we can enjoy the freedom we enjoy every day.

CARROLL: Does it help for both of you to be out on a day like today, knowing that you're going to be meeting and greeting a lot of people who want to send you their best wishes? What is that -- how does that help? FORD: This is a very special day and a way to spend it with people who have been in our shoes and realize the price that our husbands have paid.

SAMMIS: And people are remembering. That's what is most important. We don't want our husbands to be forgotten or any of America's heroes be forgotten.

CARROLL: Stacey, you described I think your husband, Benjamin, as a gentle person. Tell me about him.

SAMMIS: Absolutely. He was a loving, kind man. I mean, I couldn't believe that he actually flew a (UNINTELLIGIBLE), because he was such a big bear, and he just loved children, he loved life, he enjoyed every moment.

CARROLL: And, Deon, why don't you tell me about Travis? How would you describe him?

FORD: Full of spirit, a warm smile, no one would ever forget his smile, a great father, a great daddy.

CARROLL: He was also following his dream of being a Marine, like his brother or his father?

FORD: Yes. He'd always wanted to be a Marine Corps pilot, so he achieved that goal last March.

CARROLL: I think security for some people here in New York is obviously a concern, as well some people concerned about coming out here today. What would you say to them?

FORD: You've got to live your life. We live in a free country, and there are a lot of men who have given their lives for that freedom. So, you've got to live it.

CARROLL: OK.

SAMMIS: Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid.

CARROLL: All right, thank you very much. Stacey Sammis and Deon Ford, we want to thank you again for joining us, and we'd also like to express our condolences again to you and your family.

FORD: Thank you.

SAMMIS: Thank you.

CARROLL: Again, this is an opportunity for people to come out and meet and greet people like the two that you've just met here; also an opportunity to meet the other men and women who put their lives on the line for this country each time there is a call to duty.

Back to you -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Jason helping us all to remember our service men and women who have died for this country. Thanks so much. Jason Carroll in New York 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 - 07:07   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: In a Memorial Day proclamation, President Bush asked the nation to remember the men and women who lost their lives in war.
Attending a somber ceremony in New York, our Jason Carroll is live on board the USS Intrepid.

Good morning to you, Jason.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning to you, Heidi.

Despite all of the wind and the rain out here, New York Harbor has never actually looked so good. There are ships docked here from all over the world for Fleet Week. This is an opportunity for people to come out, see the ships, but more importantly, meet the men and the women who put their lives on the line for this country.

Joining me right now, two women, I've got Deon Ford and Stacey Sammis. Both of their husbands made the ultimate sacrifice for this country on April 5. They were pilots. They were shot down in Iraq.

Deon, I'm going to start with you. First of all, I want to express our condolences to you and your family, and how much we appreciate both of you coming out and speaking with us this morning.

Obviously, today, Memorial Day, having special significance for you and your family.

DEON FORD, HUSBAND DIED IN IRAQ WAR: Yes, it reminds me that there is a deep price for our freedom. Freedom is not free. And our husbands paid the ultimate price.

CARROLL: Stacey, how about you? This day for you, what sort of special meaning does it hold for you and your family?

STACEY SAMMIS, HUSBAND DIED IN IRAQ WAR: It's a special day for us since our husbands perished a few weeks ago, and it's a special occasion for us to be together here with the people who are celebrating America's heroes, so that we can enjoy the freedom we enjoy every day.

CARROLL: Does it help for both of you to be out on a day like today, knowing that you're going to be meeting and greeting a lot of people who want to send you their best wishes? What is that -- how does that help? FORD: This is a very special day and a way to spend it with people who have been in our shoes and realize the price that our husbands have paid.

SAMMIS: And people are remembering. That's what is most important. We don't want our husbands to be forgotten or any of America's heroes be forgotten.

CARROLL: Stacey, you described I think your husband, Benjamin, as a gentle person. Tell me about him.

SAMMIS: Absolutely. He was a loving, kind man. I mean, I couldn't believe that he actually flew a (UNINTELLIGIBLE), because he was such a big bear, and he just loved children, he loved life, he enjoyed every moment.

CARROLL: And, Deon, why don't you tell me about Travis? How would you describe him?

FORD: Full of spirit, a warm smile, no one would ever forget his smile, a great father, a great daddy.

CARROLL: He was also following his dream of being a Marine, like his brother or his father?

FORD: Yes. He'd always wanted to be a Marine Corps pilot, so he achieved that goal last March.

CARROLL: I think security for some people here in New York is obviously a concern, as well some people concerned about coming out here today. What would you say to them?

FORD: You've got to live your life. We live in a free country, and there are a lot of men who have given their lives for that freedom. So, you've got to live it.

CARROLL: OK.

SAMMIS: Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid.

CARROLL: All right, thank you very much. Stacey Sammis and Deon Ford, we want to thank you again for joining us, and we'd also like to express our condolences again to you and your family.

FORD: Thank you.

SAMMIS: Thank you.

CARROLL: Again, this is an opportunity for people to come out and meet and greet people like the two that you've just met here; also an opportunity to meet the other men and women who put their lives on the line for this country each time there is a call to duty.

Back to you -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Jason helping us all to remember our service men and women who have died for this country. Thanks so much. Jason Carroll in New York 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.