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CNN Live At Daybreak

Memorial Day Ceremonies Planned for Troops in Afghanistan

Aired May 31, 2004 - 05:00   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: Nature hammers part of the United States, marring the Memorial Day holiday weekend for some. We'll look at what today might bring.
It is Monday, Memorial Day, May 31.

This is DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you.

From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.

Here are the latest headlines for you now.

The nation's mid section takes a blow from severe storms, including several tornadoes. Dozens of homes and buildings have been destroyed or damaged. At least one person died on Sunday in Indiana. Six others were killed over the weekend in Missouri and Kansas.

Memorial Day parades and celebrations honoring those who served in the military are planned across this country. A few hours from now, President Bush will lay a wreath at Arlington Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknowns.

In money news, the U.S. stock market closed for Memorial Day, but traders overseas appear to be concerned with a deadly rampage by gunmen in Saudi Arabia and its affect on global oil supplies. In Tokyo, crude oil futures are up nearly three percent.

In sports, Buddy Rice is the Indianapolis 500 winner. Rain forced officials to shorten the race from 200 laps to 180. TV's David Letterman, who, of course, grew up in Indianapolis, is co-owner of the winning team.

And in culture, Memorial Day weekend always a big time for the movies. Tops this weekend? "Shrek 2," with more than $73 million in ticket sales. Number two? "The Day After Tomorrow."

And I thought no one would go see that movie, Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Is that right?

COSTELLO: I did. Wow!

MYERS: They had nothing to do.

Good morning. COSTELLO: Good morning.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: At least seven states have been clobbered by severe weather, including tornadoes. Most of the damage in Indiana, where one person was killed. Dozens of homes were destroyed.

We get more from Scott Reynolds of CNN affiliate WAVE in Louisville, Kentucky.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SCOTT REYNOLDS, WAVE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The skies started to get dark around three o'clock, a warning for Kentucky. And it braced for the worst once again.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have, again, a tornado warning in effect.

REYNOLDS: The WAVE 3 tower cam caught the storms as they made their move toward Louisville, dark clouds signaling the danger to come.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Next thing we know, we see all this stuff flying over there.

REYNOLDS: At 3:30, a tornado develops over New Albany, touching down in Jeffersonville. As it moves through, no reports of damage in Floyd County, but a path of destruction in Clark County. The town's community center is heavily damaged.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Crawford County storm looks, at this point, to be the most intense.

REYNOLDS: Ten minutes later, another tornado develops in Crawford County and drops over the tiny town of Marengo. The pictures after the storm show the heavy damage -- an apartment building, homes, the elementary school, all torn apart. And even worse news, someone died in the storm.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We saw it starting to form like right over here just in front of, like just over these houses.

REYNOLDS: Tornadoes moved into Kentucky, as well. A funnel cloud touches down in the Glenmary subdivision around 5:15, near the Jean Snyder (ph) and Bardstown Road, uprooting large trees and damaging homes. Another day of serious destruction after Mother Nature's fury.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: That report was from Scott Reynolds of CNN affiliate WAVE.

We'll have much more on the severe storms and the cleanup efforts later on DAYBREAK. And, of course, Chad will keep up updated.

With the U.S. still at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, Americans will remember those who died serving their country not only in past wars, but also in current battles. Tributes today include President Bush's wreath laying at Arlington, an outdoor concert by the U.S. Navy Band at the Navy Memorial in Washington and observances honoring World War 2 and Vietnam veterans.

That presidential wreath laying ceremony, by the way, set for 10:55 Eastern this morning. Of course CNN will bring that to you live.

And tonight, there's a special edition of Lou Dobbs, a salute to America's heroes. That's at 6:00 p.m. Eastern.

Afghanistan is eight hours ahead of Eastern time here in the United States. In just about an hour from now, American military personnel there will celebrate Memorial Day. We imagine this one is quite special for them, so let's go live there now and Ryan Chilcote. He's at Camp Phoenix with the Army's 45th Infantry Brigade.

What will take place about an hour from now -- Ryan.

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In about an hour, they're going to be paying tribute to the soldiers for the Oklahoma National Guard who made the ultimate sacrifice in two conflicts that this unit previously served in -- in World War 2, where they did two tours, to Italy and then to France, from where they then moved into Germany and liberated Dachau; and to soldiers who passed away, who perished in the Korean War, the Thunderbirds. That is what the 40 -- the soldiers from the 45th Infantry Brigade are known as. They spent more time in combat in the Korean War than any other unit from the -- infantry unit from the U.S. military units.

Now, a little bit about where we are. This is Camp Phoenix, as you said. This is where Task Force Phoenix is. Task Force Phoenix is made up of soldiers from several countries and from several U.S. military units. But the vast majority of the soldiers come from the Oklahoma National Guard. And as I said, the vast majority of the soldiers in the Oklahoma National Guard that are here are from that 45th Infantry Brigade.

Normally they are so-called citizen soldiers. Normally they give just one weekend a month and two weeks a year to their country. Of course, that all changed, Carol, when they got called up to come here a bit more than half a year ago. They've got about three more months to go. They're here training the Afghan National Army, both training and accompanying those Afghan soldiers into the field in the war on terror and the fight against Taliban and al Qaeda in this country.

And obviously today this is a very important holiday for them.

The ceremony itself is going to begin in about 55 minutes, at 6:29 Eastern. That's when tribute will be paid to the soldiers who perished in the past conflicts right here in a flag raising ceremony behind me -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Something else that unit does that's important, it's training the Afghan Army, right?

CHILCOTE: That's right. The government of Afghanistan is trying to build its own army. The hope, of course, is that this army will eventually become strong enough that the U.S. military will be able to reduce its presence here. And the Oklahoma National Guard that is abased out of Camp Phoenix is charged with the task of training those soldiers and preparing them to do that job. It's very important. The U.S. military really is finding a lot of usefulness in using these soldiers from the Afghan National Army. They accompany them on almost all missions now, out with the special forces, out with the soldiers and out with the U.S. Marines in this country.

There are about 20,000 U.S. servicemen and women in Afghanistan. And almost all of them now, when they are out there in combat, are being accompanied by these soldiers from the Afghan National Army, who are being trained here by the Oklahoma National Guard -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right. And when the ceremony starts at 6:29 Eastern, we'll take our audience again there again live.

Ryan Chilcote live from Afghanistan this morning.

The dragnet is out in Saudi Arabia for three gunmen involved in a bloody weekend rampage at the oil port of Khobar. Saudi troops stormed a building and freed hostages, among them seven Americans. Troops captured one of the gunmen who had killed several people on Saturday, including one American. The other three gunmen managed to escape. When the smoke cleared, the final death toll stood at 22.

On an Islamist Web site, the Jerusalem Brigade, a group believed to be linked to al Qaeda, claims responsibility for the attack. And there is a voice message from Abdel Aziz Mugrin, believed to be al Qaeda's top official in Saudi Arabia.

On another front in the war on terror, "Newsweek" is reporting there may have been a plot to blow up fuel stations outside of Baltimore.

CNN's Kathleen Koch tells us what the FBI thinks it knows about Adam Gadahn, one of the seven suspects named last week.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): His was the new face in the gallery of wanted terrorist suspects put out by the federal government.

ROBERT MUELLER, FBI DIRECTOR: And he attended the training camps in Afghanistan. He is known to have performed translations for al Qaeda as part of the services he has provided.

KOCH: Now, "Newsweek" magazine reports Adam Gadahn was named by none other than al Qaeda operations chief, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed. In its latest issue, the magazine says Mohammed told interrogators he wanted Gadahn to join a plot to blow up fuel stations outside Baltimore. The report says Gadahn was willing to help, but would not join in any suicide operations because his wife was pregnant.

Government sources say Mohammed had previously told interrogators of al Qaeda plans to attack gas stations in the Washington, D.C. and New York City areas. Known as one of the masterminds of the 9/11 attacks, Mohammed had already fingered about a dozen al Qaeda operatives. Officials say two of them, Adnan El Shukrijumah and Aafia Siddiqui, were among the seven listed last week with Gadahn. Since his capture in Pakistan in March 2003, Mohammed has been held in U.S. custody at an undisclosed location, where he is being interrogated. Experts say Mohammed has implicated himself and others in numerous terrorist plots.

PETER BERGEN, TERRORISM EXPERT: Khalid Shaikh Mohammed has produced useful information in the past. In fact, information that he's produced has led to the arrest and imprisonment of somebody trying to sabotage the Brooklyn Bridge.

But more importantly, when people like Khalid Shaikh Mohammed are arrested, they are usually arrested with computers, cell phones, these kinds of things, useful information can be derived from.

KOCH: But that and all information being provided by Khalid Shaikh Mohammed is now more than a year old.

(on camera): Experts, though, insist Mohammed can still give valuable insight into the structure and operations of al Qaeda and could perhaps some day even serve as a witness against other top leaders, including Osama bin Laden.

Kathleen Koch, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Vice President Dick Cheney's office is denying he had anything to do with Halliburton getting a lucrative contract to rebuild Iraq's oil industry. A report in "Time" magazine suggests Cheney's office coordinated arrangements to award the multi-billion dollar contract to Halliburton. Cheney was the head of Halliburton before becoming vice president.

President Bush has some memorabilia from the Iraq war. It's the pistol that Saddam Hussein held when U.S. soldiers captured and pulled him from his underground hideaway. The White House says U.S. soldiers mounted the sidearm and then presented it to the president. Mr. Bush keeps it in his study, next to the Oval Office.

Spring storms pummel the nation's breadbasket and there's no letup on the horizon.

For more severe weather, Chad will be along with the latest.

And sharing the memories of occupation and liberation -- we'll go to Normandy for the countdown to the D-Day commemoration. And when it comes to high gas prices, we Americans have one thing to say -- we're going on vacation anyway.

And a healer by day, a serial killer by night -- we'll speak about the unspeakable.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It is 5:14 Eastern.

Here's what's all new this morning.

Police in Saudi Arabia still searching for some of the gunmen involved in a series of weekend attacks. Twenty-two people, including one American, were killed. The man believed to be the head of the Saudi arm of al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The cleanup has begun across much of the Midwest after dozens of tornadoes swept through the area. One person was killed; several others were injured, as a result of the severe storms.

In money news, there's been another change in management at Fiat. The company's CEO has resigned after an executive from Ferrari was named to take over as chairman. He replaced Umberto Agnelli, who died last week. News of the management shakeup caused Fiat's shares to fall more than three percent overnight in Milan.

In sports, the Williams sisters have advanced to the final eight at the French Open. Both won their matches in straight sets. The marquis match up at the quarter finals will be Serena versus Jennifer Capriati.

In culture, an honor for Bob Hope. Burbank, California dedicated its downtown post office to the legendary entertainer. Bob Hope would have turned 101 over the weekend -- Chad.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: U.S. markets are closed tornado, but overseas trading in some places has been in full swing. I know you're wondering where.

CNN's Todd Benjamin will tell us.

He's live in London -- good morning.

TODD BENJAMIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

No trading here in London. It is what's known as a bank holiday, a legal holiday here in London. But we do have trading on the continent, both in Germany and France, and, of course, Italy, because you mentioned the Fiat story.

Both the French market and the German market up about a half percent, and that's despite worries about higher oil prices following the weekend attack in Saudi Arabia.

Let me tell you what the currency is doing right now. The euro is at about 122-21 against the greenback. And the pound is at 183.57 against the dollar.

I'd like to talk about oil for a moment, because we really won't get a good fix on the impact of this attack on the price of oil until trading resumes tomorrow in London, which is a major market where Brent crude is trading; and, of course, in New York, where NYMEX is traded. Then we'll have a much better idea.

Following a similar attack on May 1 in Saudi Arabia, oil jumped two bucks a barrel in the first 48 hours. But we do have an OPEC meeting this Thursday, as you are well aware. The Saudis want to increase production by more than two and a half million barrels a day. But you have to ask yourself, despite this announcement they made, you know, the price of oil is still hovering just below $40 a barrel. So I think, once again, an attack like this one -- even though at Khobar there's no refining capacity, no exports, no production -- it, once again, reminds the world of the fragility of disruption and the possibility of attacks on oil complexes. And I think traders likely will be somewhat nervous.

We'll have to wait and see. We'll bring it all to you. Back to you.

COSTELLO: You certainly will.

Todd Benjamin live in London.

Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer travel season. Even though we're gambling about high gas prices, a lot of us are hitting the road.

CNN's Alina Cho has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The sticker shock is still there, but Americans are turning the other cheek, ignoring $2 a gallon gas and hitting the roads.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, it was cheaper than flying or catch -- and more comfortable than catching the bus. So, I don't mind.

CHO: These women are heading back to Virginia after a 75th birthday party in New York City. This man spent $50 to go from Long Island to Six Flags in New Jersey one way.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, we had to go where we had to go.

CHO: AAA estimates a record 37 million Americans will travel this Memorial weekend, about a four percent increase over last year. Even air travel is up, thanks, in part, to low prices on new discount airlines. JUSTIN MCNAULL, AAA: You think back to last Memorial Day and we were still at the tail end of the Iraq war. So people hadn't been making their travel plans. And we also were looking at some disappointing, some real economic concerns.

CHO: A year later, the economy is improving, so Americans are taking part in this unofficial first splash of summer.

(on camera): Another reason why more people are traveling is this -- while you may be feeling the pinch of high gas prices from day to day, the average holiday trip of 500 miles, at 20 miles per gallon, will cost you just $14 more this year than last.

(voice-over): No small change, but for a weekend...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fill it right up.

CHO: This man says he can't do it all the time, but for a holiday trip to Maryland with his daughter...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She's worth it. Right? We're realists.

CHO: Alina Cho, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: That's a nice dad.

History lessons firsthand -- what France is doing to make sure the lessons of D-Day live on.

And the U.S. finally makes sure World War 2's place in history is set in stone. A look at Saturday's dedication ceremony up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: In word and song the country is saying thank you to members of the military, past and present. Thousands turned out for the national Memorial Day concert on the Capitol lawn in Washington. Highlights included a performance from violin virtuoso Joshua Bell.

The World War 2 memorial is the country's newest major monument. Tens of thousands of people, including veterans of that war, packed the National Mall in Washington for a dedication ceremony in honor of the 16 million Americans who served in the war. President Bush and other world leaders will gather in Normandy, France next Sunday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day. The allied invasion eventually liberated Europe.

As CNN's Jim Bittermann reports, older people in France are taking steps to make sure younger generations remember what happened.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIM BITTERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In high schools and city halls and finally at the D-Day memorial, it's been going on like this week after week, since early in the year. Across Normandy, young people listening to octogenarians, grandparents talking to a new generation about war. Original radio network, a newspaper chain and legal governments in northern France sponsored the evening gathering to keep alive the stories, emotions and history of occupation and liberation.

Georgette Godes and Gilbert Declos drove miles to take part. They were young, too, when they found out about war. A war photographer snapped their picture, an orphan and his neighbor in the arms of two American G.I.s. It became the photo that symbolized freedom. They were only seven at the time, but for Gilbert and Georgette, the memories of liberation remain vivid.

GILBERT DECLOS, D-DAY EYEWITNESS (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): The Americans were coming from the sea and the Germans were coming to the sea. At one point, their paths crossed, and it was a bloodbath. When you see the sea now, you say it's magnificent. But in 1944, the sea wasn't blue, it was red.

GEORGETTE GODES, D-DAY EYEWITNESS (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): With the arrival of the Americans, everything was different. We were euphoric. They were our liberators. And as children who had been deprived of many things, all of a sudden we had food to eat. We had chocolate.

BITTERMANN: That joy, that horror, are exactly what Georgette and Gilbert and hundreds of others who remember want to pass on to a generation they believe needs and wants to know.

(on camera): Unlike some anniversaries, which merely mark the passage of time, D-Day commemorations have always been about memory and reflection of sacrifices and values.

(voice-over): As the cemeteries are made ready for yet another D-Day anniversary, the old soldiers who took part in this project of teaching D-Day to the young say remembrances raise the dead and caution the living.

BILL CAMPBELL, AMERICAN VETERAN: If we can not forget these boys who have died here and are buried here, they will not have died in vain, you know? Give them a chance to at least be the heroes.

IGANZ VON LANSBERG-VELEN, GERMAN VETERAN: I hope it would be a very good possibility to remember and to warn.

BITTERMANN: And all say there's another reason so much effort should go into this 60th anniversary of D-Day. The time will soon come when there will no longer be anyone alive who stormed these beaches or recalls just what it felt like to be liberated.

Jim Bittermann, CNN, Normandy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Here's what's coming up in the next half hour of DAYBREAK.

A massive manhunt under way in Saudi Arabia after a series of weekend attacks leaves 22 dead.

Deadly storms cause a path of destruction through Kentucky and Indiana. We'll have a damage assessment and find out of if more tornadoes are on the way. We'll head up to the forecast center and Chad.

In the midst of a college football sex scandal, the University of Colorado's football coach is back on the job. Why everybody is not happy about that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHELLE KWAN, CHAMPION FIGURE SKATER: My motto is always to work hard, be yourself and have fun; and, also, to set goals and work your way to reaching them.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michelle Kwan's motto has paid off. The 23- year-old is the most decorated figure skater in U.S. history, winning 42 championships, including five world championships, eight national championships and two Olympic medals. Kwan has also received a record 50 perfect 6.0 marks in her career.

KWAN: My key to success is my family and my friends, my support group. They've been through a lot with me, through ups and downs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Despite all of her accomplishments, Kwan has yet to win Olympic gold. But that may change in 2006.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired May 31, 2004 - 05:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Nature hammers part of the United States, marring the Memorial Day holiday weekend for some. We'll look at what today might bring.
It is Monday, Memorial Day, May 31.

This is DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you.

From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.

Here are the latest headlines for you now.

The nation's mid section takes a blow from severe storms, including several tornadoes. Dozens of homes and buildings have been destroyed or damaged. At least one person died on Sunday in Indiana. Six others were killed over the weekend in Missouri and Kansas.

Memorial Day parades and celebrations honoring those who served in the military are planned across this country. A few hours from now, President Bush will lay a wreath at Arlington Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknowns.

In money news, the U.S. stock market closed for Memorial Day, but traders overseas appear to be concerned with a deadly rampage by gunmen in Saudi Arabia and its affect on global oil supplies. In Tokyo, crude oil futures are up nearly three percent.

In sports, Buddy Rice is the Indianapolis 500 winner. Rain forced officials to shorten the race from 200 laps to 180. TV's David Letterman, who, of course, grew up in Indianapolis, is co-owner of the winning team.

And in culture, Memorial Day weekend always a big time for the movies. Tops this weekend? "Shrek 2," with more than $73 million in ticket sales. Number two? "The Day After Tomorrow."

And I thought no one would go see that movie, Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Is that right?

COSTELLO: I did. Wow!

MYERS: They had nothing to do.

Good morning. COSTELLO: Good morning.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: At least seven states have been clobbered by severe weather, including tornadoes. Most of the damage in Indiana, where one person was killed. Dozens of homes were destroyed.

We get more from Scott Reynolds of CNN affiliate WAVE in Louisville, Kentucky.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SCOTT REYNOLDS, WAVE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The skies started to get dark around three o'clock, a warning for Kentucky. And it braced for the worst once again.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have, again, a tornado warning in effect.

REYNOLDS: The WAVE 3 tower cam caught the storms as they made their move toward Louisville, dark clouds signaling the danger to come.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Next thing we know, we see all this stuff flying over there.

REYNOLDS: At 3:30, a tornado develops over New Albany, touching down in Jeffersonville. As it moves through, no reports of damage in Floyd County, but a path of destruction in Clark County. The town's community center is heavily damaged.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Crawford County storm looks, at this point, to be the most intense.

REYNOLDS: Ten minutes later, another tornado develops in Crawford County and drops over the tiny town of Marengo. The pictures after the storm show the heavy damage -- an apartment building, homes, the elementary school, all torn apart. And even worse news, someone died in the storm.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We saw it starting to form like right over here just in front of, like just over these houses.

REYNOLDS: Tornadoes moved into Kentucky, as well. A funnel cloud touches down in the Glenmary subdivision around 5:15, near the Jean Snyder (ph) and Bardstown Road, uprooting large trees and damaging homes. Another day of serious destruction after Mother Nature's fury.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: That report was from Scott Reynolds of CNN affiliate WAVE.

We'll have much more on the severe storms and the cleanup efforts later on DAYBREAK. And, of course, Chad will keep up updated.

With the U.S. still at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, Americans will remember those who died serving their country not only in past wars, but also in current battles. Tributes today include President Bush's wreath laying at Arlington, an outdoor concert by the U.S. Navy Band at the Navy Memorial in Washington and observances honoring World War 2 and Vietnam veterans.

That presidential wreath laying ceremony, by the way, set for 10:55 Eastern this morning. Of course CNN will bring that to you live.

And tonight, there's a special edition of Lou Dobbs, a salute to America's heroes. That's at 6:00 p.m. Eastern.

Afghanistan is eight hours ahead of Eastern time here in the United States. In just about an hour from now, American military personnel there will celebrate Memorial Day. We imagine this one is quite special for them, so let's go live there now and Ryan Chilcote. He's at Camp Phoenix with the Army's 45th Infantry Brigade.

What will take place about an hour from now -- Ryan.

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In about an hour, they're going to be paying tribute to the soldiers for the Oklahoma National Guard who made the ultimate sacrifice in two conflicts that this unit previously served in -- in World War 2, where they did two tours, to Italy and then to France, from where they then moved into Germany and liberated Dachau; and to soldiers who passed away, who perished in the Korean War, the Thunderbirds. That is what the 40 -- the soldiers from the 45th Infantry Brigade are known as. They spent more time in combat in the Korean War than any other unit from the -- infantry unit from the U.S. military units.

Now, a little bit about where we are. This is Camp Phoenix, as you said. This is where Task Force Phoenix is. Task Force Phoenix is made up of soldiers from several countries and from several U.S. military units. But the vast majority of the soldiers come from the Oklahoma National Guard. And as I said, the vast majority of the soldiers in the Oklahoma National Guard that are here are from that 45th Infantry Brigade.

Normally they are so-called citizen soldiers. Normally they give just one weekend a month and two weeks a year to their country. Of course, that all changed, Carol, when they got called up to come here a bit more than half a year ago. They've got about three more months to go. They're here training the Afghan National Army, both training and accompanying those Afghan soldiers into the field in the war on terror and the fight against Taliban and al Qaeda in this country.

And obviously today this is a very important holiday for them.

The ceremony itself is going to begin in about 55 minutes, at 6:29 Eastern. That's when tribute will be paid to the soldiers who perished in the past conflicts right here in a flag raising ceremony behind me -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Something else that unit does that's important, it's training the Afghan Army, right?

CHILCOTE: That's right. The government of Afghanistan is trying to build its own army. The hope, of course, is that this army will eventually become strong enough that the U.S. military will be able to reduce its presence here. And the Oklahoma National Guard that is abased out of Camp Phoenix is charged with the task of training those soldiers and preparing them to do that job. It's very important. The U.S. military really is finding a lot of usefulness in using these soldiers from the Afghan National Army. They accompany them on almost all missions now, out with the special forces, out with the soldiers and out with the U.S. Marines in this country.

There are about 20,000 U.S. servicemen and women in Afghanistan. And almost all of them now, when they are out there in combat, are being accompanied by these soldiers from the Afghan National Army, who are being trained here by the Oklahoma National Guard -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right. And when the ceremony starts at 6:29 Eastern, we'll take our audience again there again live.

Ryan Chilcote live from Afghanistan this morning.

The dragnet is out in Saudi Arabia for three gunmen involved in a bloody weekend rampage at the oil port of Khobar. Saudi troops stormed a building and freed hostages, among them seven Americans. Troops captured one of the gunmen who had killed several people on Saturday, including one American. The other three gunmen managed to escape. When the smoke cleared, the final death toll stood at 22.

On an Islamist Web site, the Jerusalem Brigade, a group believed to be linked to al Qaeda, claims responsibility for the attack. And there is a voice message from Abdel Aziz Mugrin, believed to be al Qaeda's top official in Saudi Arabia.

On another front in the war on terror, "Newsweek" is reporting there may have been a plot to blow up fuel stations outside of Baltimore.

CNN's Kathleen Koch tells us what the FBI thinks it knows about Adam Gadahn, one of the seven suspects named last week.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): His was the new face in the gallery of wanted terrorist suspects put out by the federal government.

ROBERT MUELLER, FBI DIRECTOR: And he attended the training camps in Afghanistan. He is known to have performed translations for al Qaeda as part of the services he has provided.

KOCH: Now, "Newsweek" magazine reports Adam Gadahn was named by none other than al Qaeda operations chief, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed. In its latest issue, the magazine says Mohammed told interrogators he wanted Gadahn to join a plot to blow up fuel stations outside Baltimore. The report says Gadahn was willing to help, but would not join in any suicide operations because his wife was pregnant.

Government sources say Mohammed had previously told interrogators of al Qaeda plans to attack gas stations in the Washington, D.C. and New York City areas. Known as one of the masterminds of the 9/11 attacks, Mohammed had already fingered about a dozen al Qaeda operatives. Officials say two of them, Adnan El Shukrijumah and Aafia Siddiqui, were among the seven listed last week with Gadahn. Since his capture in Pakistan in March 2003, Mohammed has been held in U.S. custody at an undisclosed location, where he is being interrogated. Experts say Mohammed has implicated himself and others in numerous terrorist plots.

PETER BERGEN, TERRORISM EXPERT: Khalid Shaikh Mohammed has produced useful information in the past. In fact, information that he's produced has led to the arrest and imprisonment of somebody trying to sabotage the Brooklyn Bridge.

But more importantly, when people like Khalid Shaikh Mohammed are arrested, they are usually arrested with computers, cell phones, these kinds of things, useful information can be derived from.

KOCH: But that and all information being provided by Khalid Shaikh Mohammed is now more than a year old.

(on camera): Experts, though, insist Mohammed can still give valuable insight into the structure and operations of al Qaeda and could perhaps some day even serve as a witness against other top leaders, including Osama bin Laden.

Kathleen Koch, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Vice President Dick Cheney's office is denying he had anything to do with Halliburton getting a lucrative contract to rebuild Iraq's oil industry. A report in "Time" magazine suggests Cheney's office coordinated arrangements to award the multi-billion dollar contract to Halliburton. Cheney was the head of Halliburton before becoming vice president.

President Bush has some memorabilia from the Iraq war. It's the pistol that Saddam Hussein held when U.S. soldiers captured and pulled him from his underground hideaway. The White House says U.S. soldiers mounted the sidearm and then presented it to the president. Mr. Bush keeps it in his study, next to the Oval Office.

Spring storms pummel the nation's breadbasket and there's no letup on the horizon.

For more severe weather, Chad will be along with the latest.

And sharing the memories of occupation and liberation -- we'll go to Normandy for the countdown to the D-Day commemoration. And when it comes to high gas prices, we Americans have one thing to say -- we're going on vacation anyway.

And a healer by day, a serial killer by night -- we'll speak about the unspeakable.

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COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It is 5:14 Eastern.

Here's what's all new this morning.

Police in Saudi Arabia still searching for some of the gunmen involved in a series of weekend attacks. Twenty-two people, including one American, were killed. The man believed to be the head of the Saudi arm of al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The cleanup has begun across much of the Midwest after dozens of tornadoes swept through the area. One person was killed; several others were injured, as a result of the severe storms.

In money news, there's been another change in management at Fiat. The company's CEO has resigned after an executive from Ferrari was named to take over as chairman. He replaced Umberto Agnelli, who died last week. News of the management shakeup caused Fiat's shares to fall more than three percent overnight in Milan.

In sports, the Williams sisters have advanced to the final eight at the French Open. Both won their matches in straight sets. The marquis match up at the quarter finals will be Serena versus Jennifer Capriati.

In culture, an honor for Bob Hope. Burbank, California dedicated its downtown post office to the legendary entertainer. Bob Hope would have turned 101 over the weekend -- Chad.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: U.S. markets are closed tornado, but overseas trading in some places has been in full swing. I know you're wondering where.

CNN's Todd Benjamin will tell us.

He's live in London -- good morning.

TODD BENJAMIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

No trading here in London. It is what's known as a bank holiday, a legal holiday here in London. But we do have trading on the continent, both in Germany and France, and, of course, Italy, because you mentioned the Fiat story.

Both the French market and the German market up about a half percent, and that's despite worries about higher oil prices following the weekend attack in Saudi Arabia.

Let me tell you what the currency is doing right now. The euro is at about 122-21 against the greenback. And the pound is at 183.57 against the dollar.

I'd like to talk about oil for a moment, because we really won't get a good fix on the impact of this attack on the price of oil until trading resumes tomorrow in London, which is a major market where Brent crude is trading; and, of course, in New York, where NYMEX is traded. Then we'll have a much better idea.

Following a similar attack on May 1 in Saudi Arabia, oil jumped two bucks a barrel in the first 48 hours. But we do have an OPEC meeting this Thursday, as you are well aware. The Saudis want to increase production by more than two and a half million barrels a day. But you have to ask yourself, despite this announcement they made, you know, the price of oil is still hovering just below $40 a barrel. So I think, once again, an attack like this one -- even though at Khobar there's no refining capacity, no exports, no production -- it, once again, reminds the world of the fragility of disruption and the possibility of attacks on oil complexes. And I think traders likely will be somewhat nervous.

We'll have to wait and see. We'll bring it all to you. Back to you.

COSTELLO: You certainly will.

Todd Benjamin live in London.

Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer travel season. Even though we're gambling about high gas prices, a lot of us are hitting the road.

CNN's Alina Cho has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The sticker shock is still there, but Americans are turning the other cheek, ignoring $2 a gallon gas and hitting the roads.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, it was cheaper than flying or catch -- and more comfortable than catching the bus. So, I don't mind.

CHO: These women are heading back to Virginia after a 75th birthday party in New York City. This man spent $50 to go from Long Island to Six Flags in New Jersey one way.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, we had to go where we had to go.

CHO: AAA estimates a record 37 million Americans will travel this Memorial weekend, about a four percent increase over last year. Even air travel is up, thanks, in part, to low prices on new discount airlines. JUSTIN MCNAULL, AAA: You think back to last Memorial Day and we were still at the tail end of the Iraq war. So people hadn't been making their travel plans. And we also were looking at some disappointing, some real economic concerns.

CHO: A year later, the economy is improving, so Americans are taking part in this unofficial first splash of summer.

(on camera): Another reason why more people are traveling is this -- while you may be feeling the pinch of high gas prices from day to day, the average holiday trip of 500 miles, at 20 miles per gallon, will cost you just $14 more this year than last.

(voice-over): No small change, but for a weekend...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fill it right up.

CHO: This man says he can't do it all the time, but for a holiday trip to Maryland with his daughter...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She's worth it. Right? We're realists.

CHO: Alina Cho, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: That's a nice dad.

History lessons firsthand -- what France is doing to make sure the lessons of D-Day live on.

And the U.S. finally makes sure World War 2's place in history is set in stone. A look at Saturday's dedication ceremony up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: In word and song the country is saying thank you to members of the military, past and present. Thousands turned out for the national Memorial Day concert on the Capitol lawn in Washington. Highlights included a performance from violin virtuoso Joshua Bell.

The World War 2 memorial is the country's newest major monument. Tens of thousands of people, including veterans of that war, packed the National Mall in Washington for a dedication ceremony in honor of the 16 million Americans who served in the war. President Bush and other world leaders will gather in Normandy, France next Sunday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day. The allied invasion eventually liberated Europe.

As CNN's Jim Bittermann reports, older people in France are taking steps to make sure younger generations remember what happened.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIM BITTERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In high schools and city halls and finally at the D-Day memorial, it's been going on like this week after week, since early in the year. Across Normandy, young people listening to octogenarians, grandparents talking to a new generation about war. Original radio network, a newspaper chain and legal governments in northern France sponsored the evening gathering to keep alive the stories, emotions and history of occupation and liberation.

Georgette Godes and Gilbert Declos drove miles to take part. They were young, too, when they found out about war. A war photographer snapped their picture, an orphan and his neighbor in the arms of two American G.I.s. It became the photo that symbolized freedom. They were only seven at the time, but for Gilbert and Georgette, the memories of liberation remain vivid.

GILBERT DECLOS, D-DAY EYEWITNESS (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): The Americans were coming from the sea and the Germans were coming to the sea. At one point, their paths crossed, and it was a bloodbath. When you see the sea now, you say it's magnificent. But in 1944, the sea wasn't blue, it was red.

GEORGETTE GODES, D-DAY EYEWITNESS (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): With the arrival of the Americans, everything was different. We were euphoric. They were our liberators. And as children who had been deprived of many things, all of a sudden we had food to eat. We had chocolate.

BITTERMANN: That joy, that horror, are exactly what Georgette and Gilbert and hundreds of others who remember want to pass on to a generation they believe needs and wants to know.

(on camera): Unlike some anniversaries, which merely mark the passage of time, D-Day commemorations have always been about memory and reflection of sacrifices and values.

(voice-over): As the cemeteries are made ready for yet another D-Day anniversary, the old soldiers who took part in this project of teaching D-Day to the young say remembrances raise the dead and caution the living.

BILL CAMPBELL, AMERICAN VETERAN: If we can not forget these boys who have died here and are buried here, they will not have died in vain, you know? Give them a chance to at least be the heroes.

IGANZ VON LANSBERG-VELEN, GERMAN VETERAN: I hope it would be a very good possibility to remember and to warn.

BITTERMANN: And all say there's another reason so much effort should go into this 60th anniversary of D-Day. The time will soon come when there will no longer be anyone alive who stormed these beaches or recalls just what it felt like to be liberated.

Jim Bittermann, CNN, Normandy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Here's what's coming up in the next half hour of DAYBREAK.

A massive manhunt under way in Saudi Arabia after a series of weekend attacks leaves 22 dead.

Deadly storms cause a path of destruction through Kentucky and Indiana. We'll have a damage assessment and find out of if more tornadoes are on the way. We'll head up to the forecast center and Chad.

In the midst of a college football sex scandal, the University of Colorado's football coach is back on the job. Why everybody is not happy about that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHELLE KWAN, CHAMPION FIGURE SKATER: My motto is always to work hard, be yourself and have fun; and, also, to set goals and work your way to reaching them.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michelle Kwan's motto has paid off. The 23- year-old is the most decorated figure skater in U.S. history, winning 42 championships, including five world championships, eight national championships and two Olympic medals. Kwan has also received a record 50 perfect 6.0 marks in her career.

KWAN: My key to success is my family and my friends, my support group. They've been through a lot with me, through ups and downs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Despite all of her accomplishments, Kwan has yet to win Olympic gold. But that may change in 2006.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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