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CNN Live At Daybreak
Going Back to the War Zone
Aired October 13, 2003 - 05:31 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: Imagine that for the past two weeks you've been on leave from your duties in Iraq, but now you've got to go back to the war zone. It's a scary thought, right?
CNN's Patty Davis introduces us to a few soldiers who are doing just that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Sergeant Jeremy Hetrick is savoring the last few hours with his wife and young daughter. His 15 day vacation is coming to an end.
SGT. JEREMY HETRICK, 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION: It was short, but it was well worth it. At least I got to come home and I got to watch her turn two and I made our anniversary, and that's the first time I've done that in three years.
MRS. HETRICK: It's been god's greatest gift, honestly.
DAVIS: Hetrick and nearly 200 others, the first to leave Iraq for the U.S. as part of the Pentagon's program of R&R, are now the first to head back, leaving Baltimore-Washington International Airport. The breaks are meant to boost morale.
SPEC. ROBERT NATALE, 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION: It's been great. You know, I feel rejuvenated and I'm ready to go back and get the job done.
DAVIS: And with news of the latest bombing in Iraq, these soldiers say they know the dangers they face.
PFC. LINDSAY CLARK, MILITARY INTELLIGENCE: You come to terms with like your mortality out there. You know, I'm human. It could happen to anybody.
DAVIS: As these soldiers prepare to leave, another plane load arrives back in the U.S. A poignant meeting for Army Staff Sergeant David Chappelle, who has never seen his five month old son.
STAFF SGT. DAVID CHAPPELLE, 4TH INFANTRY DIVISION: It's just one of those moments, I guess, you know? God blessed me and that's all. I'm thankful for that.
DAVIS (on camera): So far, 3,000 members of the U.S. military in Iraq have taken R&R. Many say they are counting the days until their 12 month tours of duty are over. Patty Davis, CNN, at the Boston-Washington International Airport.
(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
Aired October 13, 2003 - 05:31 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Imagine that for the past two weeks you've been on leave from your duties in Iraq, but now you've got to go back to the war zone. It's a scary thought, right?
CNN's Patty Davis introduces us to a few soldiers who are doing just that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Sergeant Jeremy Hetrick is savoring the last few hours with his wife and young daughter. His 15 day vacation is coming to an end.
SGT. JEREMY HETRICK, 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION: It was short, but it was well worth it. At least I got to come home and I got to watch her turn two and I made our anniversary, and that's the first time I've done that in three years.
MRS. HETRICK: It's been god's greatest gift, honestly.
DAVIS: Hetrick and nearly 200 others, the first to leave Iraq for the U.S. as part of the Pentagon's program of R&R, are now the first to head back, leaving Baltimore-Washington International Airport. The breaks are meant to boost morale.
SPEC. ROBERT NATALE, 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION: It's been great. You know, I feel rejuvenated and I'm ready to go back and get the job done.
DAVIS: And with news of the latest bombing in Iraq, these soldiers say they know the dangers they face.
PFC. LINDSAY CLARK, MILITARY INTELLIGENCE: You come to terms with like your mortality out there. You know, I'm human. It could happen to anybody.
DAVIS: As these soldiers prepare to leave, another plane load arrives back in the U.S. A poignant meeting for Army Staff Sergeant David Chappelle, who has never seen his five month old son.
STAFF SGT. DAVID CHAPPELLE, 4TH INFANTRY DIVISION: It's just one of those moments, I guess, you know? God blessed me and that's all. I'm thankful for that.
DAVIS (on camera): So far, 3,000 members of the U.S. military in Iraq have taken R&R. Many say they are counting the days until their 12 month tours of duty are over. Patty Davis, CNN, at the Boston-Washington International Airport.
(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
