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American Morning

U.S. Soldier Sends Wife Special Something for Valentine's Day From Iraq

Aired February 13, 2004 - 07:23   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.


SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Here's a nice story, heartwarming. This is about a husband going the extra mile for Valentine's Day.
Maria Hinojosa has the story of love that stretches from Iraq to Connecticut.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): U.S. Army Captain Michael Englis has been stationed in Iraq since April. Yes, he's a big, tough soldier. But it's his big heart that makes him do the donkey dance with Iraqi children. It's that same big heart that made him want to surprise his wife all the way back in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with a huge Valentine's Day billboard.

(on camera): You had no clue about this whatsoever?

EVELYN ENGLIS, WIFE OF SOLDIER: No clue. I am very -- I'm surprised. I'm very surprised. I'm surprised.

HINOJOSA (voice-over): Captain Englis e-mailed the billboard company from Iraq and said he wanted to buy one for his wife.

JOHN BARRETT, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, BARRETT OUTDOOR COMM.: There was really no way I could say no to, you know, here's someone who's fighting overseas, away from home. I had to do something.

HINOJOSA: The company donated the billboard. Captain Englis has ordered lunch for his wife all the way from Iraq and published love poems for her in the local paper. But this love? It goes both ways.

ENGLIS: When he's down, one time I sent him our wedding vows so he can remember, you know, what we promised each other and, you know, to hold our hands, to keep on going. And then one time I was going through my difficult time so he copied them back for me so we could -- so we can remind each other. It's been very difficult. Love is definitely difficult.

HINOJOSA: But this young couple makes loving look so easy, even in times of war.

Maria Hinojosa, 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




Day From Iraq>


Aired February 13, 2004 - 07:23   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Here's a nice story, heartwarming. This is about a husband going the extra mile for Valentine's Day.
Maria Hinojosa has the story of love that stretches from Iraq to Connecticut.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): U.S. Army Captain Michael Englis has been stationed in Iraq since April. Yes, he's a big, tough soldier. But it's his big heart that makes him do the donkey dance with Iraqi children. It's that same big heart that made him want to surprise his wife all the way back in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with a huge Valentine's Day billboard.

(on camera): You had no clue about this whatsoever?

EVELYN ENGLIS, WIFE OF SOLDIER: No clue. I am very -- I'm surprised. I'm very surprised. I'm surprised.

HINOJOSA (voice-over): Captain Englis e-mailed the billboard company from Iraq and said he wanted to buy one for his wife.

JOHN BARRETT, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, BARRETT OUTDOOR COMM.: There was really no way I could say no to, you know, here's someone who's fighting overseas, away from home. I had to do something.

HINOJOSA: The company donated the billboard. Captain Englis has ordered lunch for his wife all the way from Iraq and published love poems for her in the local paper. But this love? It goes both ways.

ENGLIS: When he's down, one time I sent him our wedding vows so he can remember, you know, what we promised each other and, you know, to hold our hands, to keep on going. And then one time I was going through my difficult time so he copied them back for me so we could -- so we can remind each other. It's been very difficult. Love is definitely difficult.

HINOJOSA: But this young couple makes loving look so easy, even in times of war.

Maria Hinojosa, 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




Day From Iraq>