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American Morning
New York's Finest Bring Food to Iraqi Children
Aired June 24, 2003 - 08:18 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, ANCHOR: They were some of the heroes of 9/11, now they're answering a call thousands of miles from home.
Some current and former New York firefighters and police officers arrived in Baghdad on a humanitarian mission just within the past hours. They're delivering food and emergency supplies to Iraqi orphans and schoolchildren there.
And live from Baghdad with us now, New York City Fire Department chaplain Monsignor Joe Delenick -- John Delenick, excuse me. Monsignor, raise your hand there.
Suffolk County police officer, Thomas McDonald, is to his left. Also with him, retired firefighter Larry Connors (ph) and a former New York City police officer, Jose Geraldo (ph) is with us, as well.
Gentlemen, thanks for being with us here on AMERICAN MORNING.
Monsignor, your reaction when you arrived in Iraq? What were your impressions?
MSGR. JOHN DELENICK, FDNY CHAPLAIN: I was a little surprised when we arrived in Iraq. It was -- besides being very hot, that wasn't the surprise, that it looked very much like an airport. I was really expecting it to be more like we saw in Afghanistan in December of 2001. And I was amazed at how much work they have done here to restore it and to make it into an airport that, you know, continues to work and run.
HEMMER: You mention Afghanistan. You did a similar work in Kabul. What is your mission there, Monsignor?
DELENICK: We've been invited by the Diageo (ph) to come and to represent all of the employees of the Diageo group that have paid for this mission.
We brought about 80,000 pounds of mixed goods. One of them was rice, powdered milk for children, cooking oil and other various sundries. We came to bring it to the -- predominantly the children that have been suffering. And we brought that to the hospital, two particular children's hospitals today.
HEMMER: It is a wonderful cause.
Officer McDonald, what's the reaction you've seen so far and heard? THOMAS MCDONALD, SUFFOLK COUNTY POLICE: The reaction I've seen is one of gratitude, genuine heartfelt gratitude from the people. Children are innocent no matter where they're from or what their upbringing is and we've had nothing but positive reactions from all of them, you know. Kids to kids, the chocolate bars.
HEMMER: I apologize about the interruption, a long satellite delay here. Have you met with troops and what have they said to you?
MCDONALD: Same thing. Very positive experience there. They're a little stunned that we'd come all this way just to congratulate them on a job well done, and they're very happy to see us and it's a motivator for them. It's a motivator for us, as well.
DELENICK: We're going to be meeting with them as soon as we leave here at the civic center. We're going to spend the evening and the night there with them.
HEMMER: Well, great work.
Monsignor, what do they say when you tell them you're Americans?
DELENICK: They don't say anything. You know, I think they're just happy we're here. Anyone who we've met are pleased that we came and pleased that we brought the goods we brought. They're very appreciative that we brought it.
HEMMER: Well, good luck to you. Thanks for sharing.
John Delenick, Thomas McDonald -- John Delenick's the monsignor -- Larry Connors and Jose Geraldo, live in Baghdad.
Good luck on your mission and stay safe. Thank you very much for your time today.
DELENICK: Thank you very 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 June 24, 2003 - 08:18 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, ANCHOR: They were some of the heroes of 9/11, now they're answering a call thousands of miles from home.
Some current and former New York firefighters and police officers arrived in Baghdad on a humanitarian mission just within the past hours. They're delivering food and emergency supplies to Iraqi orphans and schoolchildren there.
And live from Baghdad with us now, New York City Fire Department chaplain Monsignor Joe Delenick -- John Delenick, excuse me. Monsignor, raise your hand there.
Suffolk County police officer, Thomas McDonald, is to his left. Also with him, retired firefighter Larry Connors (ph) and a former New York City police officer, Jose Geraldo (ph) is with us, as well.
Gentlemen, thanks for being with us here on AMERICAN MORNING.
Monsignor, your reaction when you arrived in Iraq? What were your impressions?
MSGR. JOHN DELENICK, FDNY CHAPLAIN: I was a little surprised when we arrived in Iraq. It was -- besides being very hot, that wasn't the surprise, that it looked very much like an airport. I was really expecting it to be more like we saw in Afghanistan in December of 2001. And I was amazed at how much work they have done here to restore it and to make it into an airport that, you know, continues to work and run.
HEMMER: You mention Afghanistan. You did a similar work in Kabul. What is your mission there, Monsignor?
DELENICK: We've been invited by the Diageo (ph) to come and to represent all of the employees of the Diageo group that have paid for this mission.
We brought about 80,000 pounds of mixed goods. One of them was rice, powdered milk for children, cooking oil and other various sundries. We came to bring it to the -- predominantly the children that have been suffering. And we brought that to the hospital, two particular children's hospitals today.
HEMMER: It is a wonderful cause.
Officer McDonald, what's the reaction you've seen so far and heard? THOMAS MCDONALD, SUFFOLK COUNTY POLICE: The reaction I've seen is one of gratitude, genuine heartfelt gratitude from the people. Children are innocent no matter where they're from or what their upbringing is and we've had nothing but positive reactions from all of them, you know. Kids to kids, the chocolate bars.
HEMMER: I apologize about the interruption, a long satellite delay here. Have you met with troops and what have they said to you?
MCDONALD: Same thing. Very positive experience there. They're a little stunned that we'd come all this way just to congratulate them on a job well done, and they're very happy to see us and it's a motivator for them. It's a motivator for us, as well.
DELENICK: We're going to be meeting with them as soon as we leave here at the civic center. We're going to spend the evening and the night there with them.
HEMMER: Well, great work.
Monsignor, what do they say when you tell them you're Americans?
DELENICK: They don't say anything. You know, I think they're just happy we're here. Anyone who we've met are pleased that we came and pleased that we brought the goods we brought. They're very appreciative that we brought it.
HEMMER: Well, good luck to you. Thanks for sharing.
John Delenick, Thomas McDonald -- John Delenick's the monsignor -- Larry Connors and Jose Geraldo, live in Baghdad.
Good luck on your mission and stay safe. Thank you very much for your time today.
DELENICK: Thank you very 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
