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CNN Live At Daybreak
Help on Way for Families of Those Killed in Operation Enduring Freedom
Aired June 27, 2003 - 05:15 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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Well, for the families of those killed in Operation Enduring Freedom, the loss brings not only severe emotional consequences, but possible financial ones, as well.
As CNN's Bill Tucker reports, thanks to a Dallas businessman, some athletes and others, help is on the way.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BILL TUCKER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): What does this have to do with this? Mark Cuban. The colorful and animated owner of the Dallas Mavericks is bringing his outspoken mouth to the cause of families of veterans. His Fallen Patriot Fund works to provide immediate financial aid to families of veterans who were killed or severely wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
MARK CUBAN: Basically the process is once we've identified a family, we do a complete analysis of their financial situation, come up with a stipend, typically for one year, to get them back on their feet. And then after the one year, we'll reevaluate it. Hopefully they're back on their feet, and, if not, we'll help them.
TUCKER: The money is a grant and is in addition to the government's veterans benefits program. Cuban has committed a million dollars of his own money to the fund, plus he pays all administrative costs. Bank of America administers the fund and has waived all bank fees. That means every penny raised goes to the families.
GERRY NEWBERRY, VFW: Support for our veterans and for our military just doesn't mean holding parades and rallies. And that's the question we all need to ask ourselves, what happens to the men and women who defend our nation, our freedoms? What happens to them when the parades and rallies are over with?
TUCKER: The grassroots support takes on a celebrity aura in mid- July, when Michael Jordan, Jason Kidd, Troy Aikman, Jerry Rice and others help raise money for the Fallen Patriot Fund at the American Century Golf Championships in Arizona.
ANTHONY PRINCIPI, VETERANS AFFAIRS SECRETARY: Across America, we see in grassroots communities veterans and veterans organizations and other individuals coming together to do what they can for our deceased and fallen service members. And that's very gratifying to me not only as secretary of the V.A., but as an American citizen.
TUCKER: Those interested in making a donation or families seeking assistance should visit thefallenpatriotfund.org Web site.
Bill Tucker, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Enduring Freedom>
Aired June 27, 2003 - 05:15 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Well, for the families of those killed in Operation Enduring Freedom, the loss brings not only severe emotional consequences, but possible financial ones, as well.
As CNN's Bill Tucker reports, thanks to a Dallas businessman, some athletes and others, help is on the way.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BILL TUCKER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): What does this have to do with this? Mark Cuban. The colorful and animated owner of the Dallas Mavericks is bringing his outspoken mouth to the cause of families of veterans. His Fallen Patriot Fund works to provide immediate financial aid to families of veterans who were killed or severely wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
MARK CUBAN: Basically the process is once we've identified a family, we do a complete analysis of their financial situation, come up with a stipend, typically for one year, to get them back on their feet. And then after the one year, we'll reevaluate it. Hopefully they're back on their feet, and, if not, we'll help them.
TUCKER: The money is a grant and is in addition to the government's veterans benefits program. Cuban has committed a million dollars of his own money to the fund, plus he pays all administrative costs. Bank of America administers the fund and has waived all bank fees. That means every penny raised goes to the families.
GERRY NEWBERRY, VFW: Support for our veterans and for our military just doesn't mean holding parades and rallies. And that's the question we all need to ask ourselves, what happens to the men and women who defend our nation, our freedoms? What happens to them when the parades and rallies are over with?
TUCKER: The grassroots support takes on a celebrity aura in mid- July, when Michael Jordan, Jason Kidd, Troy Aikman, Jerry Rice and others help raise money for the Fallen Patriot Fund at the American Century Golf Championships in Arizona.
ANTHONY PRINCIPI, VETERANS AFFAIRS SECRETARY: Across America, we see in grassroots communities veterans and veterans organizations and other individuals coming together to do what they can for our deceased and fallen service members. And that's very gratifying to me not only as secretary of the V.A., but as an American citizen.
TUCKER: Those interested in making a donation or families seeking assistance should visit thefallenpatriotfund.org Web site.
Bill Tucker, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Enduring Freedom>
