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CNN Live At Daybreak

Traveling Exhibit Focuses on Vietnam, POWs

Aired January 12, 2004 - 05:57   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: While U.S. troops fight in Iraq, a traveling exhibit focuses on another war, Vietnam, and its POWs.
CNN's Michael McManus has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAEL MCMANUS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Thirty years ago, Captain Dick Stratton swept brush while being held prisoner of war in Vietnam.

CAPT. DICK STRATTON (RET.), FORMER POW: I was there for 2,251 days, 10 hours and 20 minutes, approximately.

MCMANUS: Last year, Retired Captain Dick Stratton, with his three grandchildren.

1972, Lieutenant Colonel Tony Marshall, in a POW camp after flying too low over enemy territory.

LT. COL TONY MARSHALL (RET.), FORMER POW: Part of the airplane came apart on us, which made us drop in on them unexpected and uninvited.

MCMANUS: Three decades later, a retired Lieutenant Colonel Tony Marshall enjoys an afternoon under his favorite tree.

Both of these former airmen are taking part in Open Doors, a Washington exhibition profiling former POWs.

TAYLOR KINLAND, PROJECT COLLABORATOR: What we were hoping to do in capturing their lives now was to show that despite hardship, despite adversity, you can overcome it, you can make a life for yourself on your own terms.

MCMANUS: Commander Everett Alvarez was shot down over North Vietnam and held for eight and a half years. Now a busy and successful business owner, Alvarez perceives a renewed interest among the young in his military career that he attributes to the nation now facing a major military operation overseas.

CMDR. EVERETT ALVAREZ (RET.), FORMER POW: The younger generation, they want to know, grandpa did serve in the war.

MCMANUS: One major difference he sees between the war then and Iraq now, unequivocal support from the American people for soldiers coming home from the front. ALVAREZ: No matter what we do in terms of a policy, let's support the troops.

MCMANUS: The exhibit depicts life after war.

(on camera): But look closer behind each individual picture and you'll find some simple advice.

(voice-over): Take chances, love your country, be compassionate, always rise above.

MARSHALL: Most of the people in this exhibit, most of the people serving there are just your person next door. And you're going to find some real heroes in those groups.

MCMANUS: Thoughts and images portraying life at war and at peace.

Michael McManus, CNN, Washington.

(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 January 12, 2004 - 05:57   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: While U.S. troops fight in Iraq, a traveling exhibit focuses on another war, Vietnam, and its POWs.
CNN's Michael McManus has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAEL MCMANUS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Thirty years ago, Captain Dick Stratton swept brush while being held prisoner of war in Vietnam.

CAPT. DICK STRATTON (RET.), FORMER POW: I was there for 2,251 days, 10 hours and 20 minutes, approximately.

MCMANUS: Last year, Retired Captain Dick Stratton, with his three grandchildren.

1972, Lieutenant Colonel Tony Marshall, in a POW camp after flying too low over enemy territory.

LT. COL TONY MARSHALL (RET.), FORMER POW: Part of the airplane came apart on us, which made us drop in on them unexpected and uninvited.

MCMANUS: Three decades later, a retired Lieutenant Colonel Tony Marshall enjoys an afternoon under his favorite tree.

Both of these former airmen are taking part in Open Doors, a Washington exhibition profiling former POWs.

TAYLOR KINLAND, PROJECT COLLABORATOR: What we were hoping to do in capturing their lives now was to show that despite hardship, despite adversity, you can overcome it, you can make a life for yourself on your own terms.

MCMANUS: Commander Everett Alvarez was shot down over North Vietnam and held for eight and a half years. Now a busy and successful business owner, Alvarez perceives a renewed interest among the young in his military career that he attributes to the nation now facing a major military operation overseas.

CMDR. EVERETT ALVAREZ (RET.), FORMER POW: The younger generation, they want to know, grandpa did serve in the war.

MCMANUS: One major difference he sees between the war then and Iraq now, unequivocal support from the American people for soldiers coming home from the front. ALVAREZ: No matter what we do in terms of a policy, let's support the troops.

MCMANUS: The exhibit depicts life after war.

(on camera): But look closer behind each individual picture and you'll find some simple advice.

(voice-over): Take chances, love your country, be compassionate, always rise above.

MARSHALL: Most of the people in this exhibit, most of the people serving there are just your person next door. And you're going to find some real heroes in those groups.

MCMANUS: Thoughts and images portraying life at war and at peace.

Michael McManus, CNN, Washington.

(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