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American Morning

Operation Lightning; The Real Story Behind Viagra and Vision Loss

Aired May 30, 2005 - 08:00   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.


SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: In Baghdad, Iraqi troops pour into the city for Operation Lightning, their largest offensive yet, trying to stop a wave of violence. Just south of Baghdad, the week begins with more killing. Twenty-seven dead, at least 118 wounded in twin suicide bombings.
And the real story behind Viagra and vision loss. We check the facts on some stunning new research on this AMERICAN MORNING.

ANNOUNCER: From the CNN broadcast center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.

O'BRIEN: Good morning.

Welcome back, everybody.

Bill has got the day off, but Ali Velshi is helping us out this morning, so thank you.

ALI VELSHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

And it's a pleasure to be here with u.

O'BRIEN: Thank you very much.

Jack is off, as well.

But Toure' is going to join us in just a few moments with the Question of the Day.

First, though, the headlines with Carol Costello -- good morning.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.

Good morning to all of you.

Now in the news, President Bush is paying tribute to fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery this morning. In less than two hours, the president will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. He'll also talk about the war on terror and Americans fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

CNN will have live coverage of the president's Memorial Day event.

That starts at 11:00 a.m. Eastern. Two U.S. citizens face a judge tomorrow on terrorism charges. Prosecutors say a Florida doctor -- you'll see him shortly -- and a New York martial arts expert were conspiring to treat and train al Qaeda terrorists. This is the doctor.

The FBI arrested both over the weekend. If convicted, they each face up to 15 years in jail and a quarter of a million dollar fine.

The only survivor of a suspected murder-suicide near Columbus, Ohio is receiving in critical condition this morning. Police say the girl was shot in the neck, but managed to call a friend on her cell phone, who then contacted authorities. Six other people were shot and killed, including the suspected attacker. Police might release more details during a news conference later today.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says that aside from providing advice and legal assistance, there is relatively little Australian officials can do to help convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby. We showed you this dramatic reaction to her 20-year prison sentence last week. The case has triggered a series of threats against Indonesian diplomats in Australia.

And Dan Wheldon, Dan Wheldon, that's his name, he's celebrating as the first Englishman to win the Indianapolis 500 in almost four decades. Abiding with tradition, Wheldon drank milk in the victory lane, but he faced rookie Danica Patrick, who finished fourth, the best finish ever for a female driver. She also became the first woman to lead a lap during the race.

We're going to speak to Danica Patrick in the next hour.

And did you hear what Robby Gordon said about her before the race?

VELSHI: Too skinny.

COSTELLO: She was too light and that gave her an advantage, because she weighs 100 pounds. He weighs 200 pounds. And he threatened not to drive in the race because she had an...

VELSHI: But the car is 1,500 pounds.

COSTELLO: Yes, but he adds weight to the car's weight.

VELSHI: Yes, I mean I like Robby. I spent a few days with him on "THE TURNAROUND," the show that I was doing. And, you know, that's just -- that's 100 pounds.

O'BRIEN: Sour grapes. Sour grapes.

VELSHI: Yes, no kidding?

O'BRIEN: Sour grapes. That's what I think.

COSTELLO: It will be interested to see what Danica has to say about that. O'BRIEN: Yes, exactly.

All right, Carol, thanks.

COSTELLO: Sure.

O'BRIEN: Let's get to the developments in Iraq now.

Two suicide bombers killed at least 27 people in Hillah. That's south of Baghdad. That makes at least eight bombings since Sunday, at least 46 deaths.

Ryan Chilcote live for us in Baghdad this morning -- Ryan, good morning.

Give us a sense of what the target was here.

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Iraqi police are telling us that the target was Iraq's own security forces. We've seen it before, of course. And as is often the case, it appears that these two suicide bombers went off -- went after some of the most vulnerable members of Iraq's security forces.

They blew themselves up in the city of Hillah, just about 60 miles south of the Iraqi capital, smack in the middle of what is called the Triangle of Death. The first of the two suicide bombers walking up to a group of young police recruits. These police recruits were standing in a line outside of a medical facility, waiting to do some more medical tests before becoming policemen. The second suicide bomber just about a minute later and about 50 yards away from the first attacker, blew himself up next to a crowd of Iraqi policemen, former Iraqi policemen, I should say, that were protesting the fact that they had just been removed from the local force.

All in all, the Iraqi police tell us at least 27 Iraqis were killed in that attack, another 118 wounded. And just yesterday, Soledad, the U.S. military released some very disturbing statistics for the month of May, saying that the month of May already has become a record month for the number of car bombs. Already, more than -- as of yesterday morning, more than 140 car bombs have gone off throughout Iraq. That number probably already today closer to 150. That beats the record set in the month of April, just last month, which was 135.

And when you think about it, the violence really has been quite staggering here over the last month. Since Iraq's first democratically elected government was formed at the end of last month, more than 700 Iraqis have been killed in the violence -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Staggering and just not ending.

All right, Ryan Chilcote for us this morning.

Ryan, thank you -- Ali.

VELSHI: And now to the major offensive that's underway in Iraq.

Barbara Starr is live at the Pentagon -- Barbara, we've heard about Operation Lightning.

Given the recent surge in violence over the past two months, why has it taken the U.S. military so long, and the Iraqi military so long, to launch this particular offensive?

BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Ali, that's a really crucial question right now, because, indeed, the U.S. has watched the situation in Baghdad and across Iraq deteriorate for the last several weeks.

What officials tell us this morning is they planned this operation as quickly as they could, as quickly as they could get those Iraqi security forces ready to go.

Now, indeed, Operation Lightning is massive, as Ryan Chilcote has been reporting. Forty thousand Iraqi troops, backed up by 10,000 troops on the streets of Baghdad. Some 600 checkpoints across the city. Again, an effort to try and get that violence under control.

But, Ali, this is not where the U.S. wanted to be at this point in time. There had been a policy of trying to reduce the U.S. footprint in Baghdad, especially now. They are back on the streets.

Indeed, the U.S. military estimates as many as 600, 700 Iraqis killed and wounded due to the violence since the new government was formed last month. Those bombing statistics are well worth repeating. One hundred and forty-three car bomb attacks alone in May and 135 in April.

So, Ali, the hope is that this operation on the streets of Baghdad will get some of that under control.

VELSHI: Now, Barbara, the tough part here is, on Memorial Day, it's a good reminder of the numbers here. And the numbers don't work in favor of what the government always wants to put forward on this. On Friday, the president, at Annapolis, talking about winning the war on terror.

They've certainly tried to downplay the importance of catching individual specific leaders. But this percolating rumor about Abu Musab al-Zarqawi being injured, or, at some point, it was that he was dead, what is the Pentagon saying about that now?

STARR: Well, indeed, there is some movement on that question, apparently, because CNN, earlier this morning, spoke to General Richard Myers, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Myers now the first administration official on the record to say that he thinks yes, the rumors are true, that Zarqawi is wounded.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEN. RICHARD MYERS, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN: What we believe is that the reports posted on their own Web site saying that he's been wounded, we believe those reports are true. We do not know the severity, though, of those wounds.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: But, Ali, what officials here at the Pentagon are emphasizing is that even if Zarqawi is captured or killed, it will not end the insurgency. They are strongly emphasizing it will have some impact. But they don't expect it to end the violence in Iraq -- Ali.

VELSHI: Barbara Starr, thank you so much.

Barbara Starr at the Pentagon -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Well, on this Memorial Day, soldiers are taking time to recall their comrades who never came home from war.

CNN's Kelly Wallace has one soldier's story.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

CPL. ELIAS IBAY, ARMY RESERVIST: I'll miss these guys.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Corporal Elias Ibay's memories are right there on his computer screen. Some of the photos of his time in Iraq in 2003 make him smile. Others, like this one, bring that pain right back. Remembering soldiers he knew who were killed, like Sergeant Juan Serrano.

IBAY: They're like my brothers and sisters. And this Memorial Day is, you know, is a reflection. It's -- it makes me remember their sacrifices and the things that, you know, we've gone through together. And I'm very thankful.

WALLACE: This Memorial Day will be especially poignant for the 37-year-old Army Reservist who's studying to be a registered nurse. He is expected to be redeployed to Iraq very soon.

(on camera): There has to be an element of fear.

IBAY: There is. I wouldn't -- I'd be lying to you if I didn't tell you I was scared.

WALLACE (voice-over): It will be tough for his family, also. Ibay came to the United States from the Philippines in 1972. He lives in Ridgewood, New Jersey with his mom and dad and his sister.

IBAY: They know that serving is very important to me. This country has given me a lot, you know, coming from an immigrant family. You know, it's just my way of giving back.

WALLACE: He says he and his fellow soldiers made a difference in Iraq, helping the children, training Iraqi police officers, giving Iraqis their first taste of freedom.

(on camera): Do you think people in the United States, Americans, are getting a clear enough sense of the good things that are happening in Iraq?

IBAY: Unfortunately, you know, violence sells papers. Good news doesn't really sell. So, that's kind of a disappointment.

WALLACE (voice-over): I asked if the criticism of the war, which has grown since he came home, made him angry.

IBAY: No, because that, you know, that's what I fought for. People can think whatever they want to think. That's their right. I just want them to reflect that there are people here that fought for that right and they should be thankful for it.

WALLACE: More than 1,600 U.S. military men and women have died in Iraq. Ibay hopes Americans will remember the fallen, who were also husbands, wives, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters.

IBAY: It's very powerful. Right now I'm getting kind of choked up about it. There are still a lot of people over there making a sacrifice and I just want to do my part. And it's their day, really. It's not really my day. You know, that's why we put the flag on the graves, for the country to be thankful.

WALLACE: Kelly Wallace, CNN, Ridgewood, New Jersey.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

O'BRIEN: At Arlington National Cemetery, in just about three hours, President Bush will deliver remarks at the Tomb of the Unknowns and CNN will bring that ceremony to you live.

Let's get a check now of the holiday forecast.

Chad Myers has got the day off, but Rob Marciano is at the CNN Center.

What kind of weather -- Rob, is the president going to have?

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, we're "Paging Dr. Gupta" about a possible link between Viagra and blindness. What raised red flags about the little blue pill?

VELSHI: Also, Senator Bill Frist is dealt another loss in the Senate. It's not too early to start looking at whether it could hurt his presidential chances in 2008. O'BRIEN: And on this Memorial Day, an emotional look at a heroic young Marine's ultimate sacrifice. He gave his own life to save that of two others.

That's up next on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: This year's Memorial Day concert on the Washington Mall paid special tribute to those who fought in World War 2. Special attention was paid to the veterans of the battle of Iwo Jima 60 years ago. Marine Corporal Jason Dunham was killed a year ago in Iraq. He died saving his fellow Marines. He was nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Michael Phillips told his story first in the "Wall Street Journal," now in a book.

It's called "The Gift of Valor."

Nice to see you.

Thanks for talking with us.

MICHAEL PHILLIPS, "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL," AUTHOR, "THE GIFT OF VALOR": Thank you for having me.

O'BRIEN: Tell us a little bit about the story of the Marine corporal, Jason Dunham. You were embedded with the Marines, but you never met him.

PHILLIPS: No. Corporal Dunham is a -- was a typical small town kid, 22 years old, from a one stoplight town in western New York. A year ago he was leading a patrol to a very hostile area of the Sunni Triangle out on the Syrian border. He approached a car to search it. The driver was a man in black track suit, jumped out at him, tried to strangle him. They wrestled on the ground in just a moment of horrific hand to hand combat.

A couple of Jason's men came over and tried to help out. At some point, the Iraqi let loose a hand grenade. The pin was out. The spoon was off. And in that moment, less than five seconds, Corporal Dunham decided to place his Kevlar helmet right on top of the grenade to try to blunt the blast. It was just an extraordinary decision for a 22-year-old to make.

O'BRIEN: Because he knew it would end his life. The helmet shredded, obviously, and it also, in the end, ended up killing the corporal and injuring the two other Marines who were there.

What happened after that? He went into triage, obviously.

What happened next?

PHILLIPS: Well, that's one of the most amazing things about this story. He was a charismatic guy, 22 years old. People just wanted to be with him. And even after his injury, as he was unconscious, he drew people toward him. And at one field hospital very early on in his treatment, he got there, the doctors took a look at his wounds and they thought, you know, there -- he was not going to make it. And we have too many other wounded guys we have to deal with. It's just one of the harsh parts of military triage.

They put him aside in a room called The Expectant Ward, a room where he was supposed to die. And they had people sit with him. They had the dentist, the dental technicians, a psychologist, sit with him. And for 45 minutes, they talked to him, they held his hand, they wondered who this guy was. And after 45 minutes, he squeezed the hand of one of the people there, the psychologist, and pulled her down to his chest.

And for them, that was just a miracle. They felt like they had brought back to life somebody who was supposed to die in front of them.

O'BRIEN: He ultimately died. And I know it was very important for his parents to have some information that you were able to dig up as a journalist.

I know -- what was the most important thing to his mom to know?

PHILLIPS: Well, Deb Dunham, who is just a wonderful, generous woman, was worried sick that Jason would be alone. She knew he was injured. She knew that it was a serious injury. She didn't know quite how bad it was. But she was scared that he would be alone and in pain. And, you know, in researching the book, "The Gift of Valor," I was able to talk to everybody who was next to Jason all the way to his MediVac back to the United States.

And I was able to tell Deb that, you know, there was always somebody holding his hand, always somebody talking to him. And that, I think, meant -- that meant an enormous amount to her.

O'BRIEN: Oh, I can imagine. I'm sure for a mother to know that. It's the only relief you're going to get in what is a terrible ending.

I know that they have another son who has said that he'd like to be a Marine, as well.

How do they take that?

PHILLIPS: Well, they're -- they have two other sons. Kyl is 16. He wants to be like his brother. He's got the idea that he'll be a machine gunner in the Marine Corps. And, you know, the parents, you can imagine their sense that they have lost an enormous amount. But they are not about to tell Kyl that he can't join the Marine Corps.

In fact, they told the commandant of the Marine Corps at Jason's beside just before he passed that if that's what Kyl wants to do, that's what they'll let him do.

O'BRIEN: It's a remarkable story and it is beautifully written.

Michael Phillips, thanks for coming in to talk to us about it this morning.

PHILLIPS: You're welcome.

O'BRIEN: The book is called "The Gift of Valor."

In just a moment, we've got the story about a special program for the children of fallen U.S. troops. It's called "CAMP GOOD GRIEF" and we'll tell you how it's helping hundreds of children. Plus, a live look at the USS Kennedy that's docked along the Hudson River. Sailors are celebrating Memorial Day here in New York City.

We're back in a moment.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): As CNN celebrates 25 years, we remember the news stories that define a generation.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Liftoff of the...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, when Challenger lifted off, it was normal. We had become about the only news organization, certainly the only national news organization, that carried the shuttle launches live at that point, because by that point, the shuttle was viewed, it's routine. It's routine.

We were all looking at each other like well, what happened? You know, what happened to the vehicle? And then, you know, you go oh my god. Your worst fear is realized. If you were alive when Challenger exploded, you'll always know where you were at that moment.

ZAHN: CNN celebrates 25 years of defining moments, a CNN prime time event, June 1, 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

O'BRIEN: Time to check in with Toure'.

He is in for Jack Cafferty and has got the Question of the Day -- good morning to you.

TOURE', CNN POP CULTURE CORRESPONDENT, "ROLLING STONE" MAGAZINE: Good morning to you.

Scientists are working on a memory enhancing drug, which sounds like a good thing on this national day of remembrance. But most people really want a memory repressing drug to erase painful memories like divorce or the death of a loved one. If such a drug existed now, what one memory would you like to have erased?

Some interesting answers.

Russ from Mineola, Texas says: "On this Memorial Day holiday, I'm particularly proud to be a veteran of the Vietnam era, which means that I'm at the age where my mental efforts are directed more toward recovering memories rather than erasing them."

Mac from Annapolis, Maryland: "My entire second marriage."

Doug from Stoney Creek, Ontario: "Four Super Bowl losses by the Buffalo Bills."

And Tod from Tampa, Florida: "I would like to erase the memory of me getting so drunk the night before my college graduation that I slept through the alarm the next morning and missed the ceremony."

VELSHI: That's not bad, Tod, if that's the worst thing that ever happened to you.

TOURE': Tough break, Tod.

O'BRIEN: Parents waiting for him to walk across the stage.

TOURE': Grandparents are there. Ooh, it could be ugly.

O'BRIEN: You know, just one moment, just, you only get to pick one?

TOURE': Well, you know, actually, it would be worse...

O'BRIEN: Because I have so many.

TOURE': You have so many? Oh, please.

VELSHI: You can take a double dose.

O'BRIEN: That's pretty good. What would you like...

VELSHI: And what would be the top one?

O'BRIEN: The very top one would -- was a very bad travel moment, which was my first live shot ever.

VELSHI: And?

O'BRIEN: Some man grabbed my derriere.

VELSHI: On television?

O'BRIEN: On live -- no, live television. And I stopped speaking and I -- it was a disaster.

TOURE': Oh, no.

O'BRIEN: Even like to this day I still get a little...

VELSHI: Well, you know, the thing not to erase is how you -- you didn't turn around and swear at the guy, which recently happened to one of our colleagues in New York.

O'BRIEN: No. But, saving my job, yes. But...

TOURE': On my first live shot, I almost got into a fight with a guy right before we went on. He shoved my fiancee. I was like hey, you can't do that.

VELSHI: No kidding? TOURE': And they were like hey, you -- they were like in my ear, hey, you can't do that.

VELSHI: Are you -- is that your forgettable? Or are you -- what would be your forgettable moment?

TOURE': Oh, jeez, Ali, I don't know. I'll give it to you the next time.

VELSHI: Yes. All right.

TOURE': And you give me yours, I'll give you mine.

VELSHI: All right, fine. That's a deal.

O'BRIEN: Good.

Thanks, Toure'.

TOURE': Thank you.

O'BRIEN: Well, the presidential election just three years away, some candid comments though, from Senator John McCain, fueling a little speculation about him. A look at that is ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody.

It is just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.

I'm Soledad O'Brien.

VELSHI: And I'm Ali Velshi in for Bill.

Coming up, the story that broke Friday about Viagra and some questions that it might lead to vision loss.

O'BRIEN: Sanjay Gupta has been checking that out.

He's going to explain the connection, if there is any, coming up in just a moment.

First, though, let's get another look at the headlines with Carol Costello -- good morning, again.

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Aired May 30, 2005 - 08:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: In Baghdad, Iraqi troops pour into the city for Operation Lightning, their largest offensive yet, trying to stop a wave of violence. Just south of Baghdad, the week begins with more killing. Twenty-seven dead, at least 118 wounded in twin suicide bombings.
And the real story behind Viagra and vision loss. We check the facts on some stunning new research on this AMERICAN MORNING.

ANNOUNCER: From the CNN broadcast center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.

O'BRIEN: Good morning.

Welcome back, everybody.

Bill has got the day off, but Ali Velshi is helping us out this morning, so thank you.

ALI VELSHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

And it's a pleasure to be here with u.

O'BRIEN: Thank you very much.

Jack is off, as well.

But Toure' is going to join us in just a few moments with the Question of the Day.

First, though, the headlines with Carol Costello -- good morning.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.

Good morning to all of you.

Now in the news, President Bush is paying tribute to fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery this morning. In less than two hours, the president will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. He'll also talk about the war on terror and Americans fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

CNN will have live coverage of the president's Memorial Day event.

That starts at 11:00 a.m. Eastern. Two U.S. citizens face a judge tomorrow on terrorism charges. Prosecutors say a Florida doctor -- you'll see him shortly -- and a New York martial arts expert were conspiring to treat and train al Qaeda terrorists. This is the doctor.

The FBI arrested both over the weekend. If convicted, they each face up to 15 years in jail and a quarter of a million dollar fine.

The only survivor of a suspected murder-suicide near Columbus, Ohio is receiving in critical condition this morning. Police say the girl was shot in the neck, but managed to call a friend on her cell phone, who then contacted authorities. Six other people were shot and killed, including the suspected attacker. Police might release more details during a news conference later today.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says that aside from providing advice and legal assistance, there is relatively little Australian officials can do to help convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby. We showed you this dramatic reaction to her 20-year prison sentence last week. The case has triggered a series of threats against Indonesian diplomats in Australia.

And Dan Wheldon, Dan Wheldon, that's his name, he's celebrating as the first Englishman to win the Indianapolis 500 in almost four decades. Abiding with tradition, Wheldon drank milk in the victory lane, but he faced rookie Danica Patrick, who finished fourth, the best finish ever for a female driver. She also became the first woman to lead a lap during the race.

We're going to speak to Danica Patrick in the next hour.

And did you hear what Robby Gordon said about her before the race?

VELSHI: Too skinny.

COSTELLO: She was too light and that gave her an advantage, because she weighs 100 pounds. He weighs 200 pounds. And he threatened not to drive in the race because she had an...

VELSHI: But the car is 1,500 pounds.

COSTELLO: Yes, but he adds weight to the car's weight.

VELSHI: Yes, I mean I like Robby. I spent a few days with him on "THE TURNAROUND," the show that I was doing. And, you know, that's just -- that's 100 pounds.

O'BRIEN: Sour grapes. Sour grapes.

VELSHI: Yes, no kidding?

O'BRIEN: Sour grapes. That's what I think.

COSTELLO: It will be interested to see what Danica has to say about that. O'BRIEN: Yes, exactly.

All right, Carol, thanks.

COSTELLO: Sure.

O'BRIEN: Let's get to the developments in Iraq now.

Two suicide bombers killed at least 27 people in Hillah. That's south of Baghdad. That makes at least eight bombings since Sunday, at least 46 deaths.

Ryan Chilcote live for us in Baghdad this morning -- Ryan, good morning.

Give us a sense of what the target was here.

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Iraqi police are telling us that the target was Iraq's own security forces. We've seen it before, of course. And as is often the case, it appears that these two suicide bombers went off -- went after some of the most vulnerable members of Iraq's security forces.

They blew themselves up in the city of Hillah, just about 60 miles south of the Iraqi capital, smack in the middle of what is called the Triangle of Death. The first of the two suicide bombers walking up to a group of young police recruits. These police recruits were standing in a line outside of a medical facility, waiting to do some more medical tests before becoming policemen. The second suicide bomber just about a minute later and about 50 yards away from the first attacker, blew himself up next to a crowd of Iraqi policemen, former Iraqi policemen, I should say, that were protesting the fact that they had just been removed from the local force.

All in all, the Iraqi police tell us at least 27 Iraqis were killed in that attack, another 118 wounded. And just yesterday, Soledad, the U.S. military released some very disturbing statistics for the month of May, saying that the month of May already has become a record month for the number of car bombs. Already, more than -- as of yesterday morning, more than 140 car bombs have gone off throughout Iraq. That number probably already today closer to 150. That beats the record set in the month of April, just last month, which was 135.

And when you think about it, the violence really has been quite staggering here over the last month. Since Iraq's first democratically elected government was formed at the end of last month, more than 700 Iraqis have been killed in the violence -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Staggering and just not ending.

All right, Ryan Chilcote for us this morning.

Ryan, thank you -- Ali.

VELSHI: And now to the major offensive that's underway in Iraq.

Barbara Starr is live at the Pentagon -- Barbara, we've heard about Operation Lightning.

Given the recent surge in violence over the past two months, why has it taken the U.S. military so long, and the Iraqi military so long, to launch this particular offensive?

BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Ali, that's a really crucial question right now, because, indeed, the U.S. has watched the situation in Baghdad and across Iraq deteriorate for the last several weeks.

What officials tell us this morning is they planned this operation as quickly as they could, as quickly as they could get those Iraqi security forces ready to go.

Now, indeed, Operation Lightning is massive, as Ryan Chilcote has been reporting. Forty thousand Iraqi troops, backed up by 10,000 troops on the streets of Baghdad. Some 600 checkpoints across the city. Again, an effort to try and get that violence under control.

But, Ali, this is not where the U.S. wanted to be at this point in time. There had been a policy of trying to reduce the U.S. footprint in Baghdad, especially now. They are back on the streets.

Indeed, the U.S. military estimates as many as 600, 700 Iraqis killed and wounded due to the violence since the new government was formed last month. Those bombing statistics are well worth repeating. One hundred and forty-three car bomb attacks alone in May and 135 in April.

So, Ali, the hope is that this operation on the streets of Baghdad will get some of that under control.

VELSHI: Now, Barbara, the tough part here is, on Memorial Day, it's a good reminder of the numbers here. And the numbers don't work in favor of what the government always wants to put forward on this. On Friday, the president, at Annapolis, talking about winning the war on terror.

They've certainly tried to downplay the importance of catching individual specific leaders. But this percolating rumor about Abu Musab al-Zarqawi being injured, or, at some point, it was that he was dead, what is the Pentagon saying about that now?

STARR: Well, indeed, there is some movement on that question, apparently, because CNN, earlier this morning, spoke to General Richard Myers, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Myers now the first administration official on the record to say that he thinks yes, the rumors are true, that Zarqawi is wounded.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEN. RICHARD MYERS, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN: What we believe is that the reports posted on their own Web site saying that he's been wounded, we believe those reports are true. We do not know the severity, though, of those wounds.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: But, Ali, what officials here at the Pentagon are emphasizing is that even if Zarqawi is captured or killed, it will not end the insurgency. They are strongly emphasizing it will have some impact. But they don't expect it to end the violence in Iraq -- Ali.

VELSHI: Barbara Starr, thank you so much.

Barbara Starr at the Pentagon -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Well, on this Memorial Day, soldiers are taking time to recall their comrades who never came home from war.

CNN's Kelly Wallace has one soldier's story.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

CPL. ELIAS IBAY, ARMY RESERVIST: I'll miss these guys.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Corporal Elias Ibay's memories are right there on his computer screen. Some of the photos of his time in Iraq in 2003 make him smile. Others, like this one, bring that pain right back. Remembering soldiers he knew who were killed, like Sergeant Juan Serrano.

IBAY: They're like my brothers and sisters. And this Memorial Day is, you know, is a reflection. It's -- it makes me remember their sacrifices and the things that, you know, we've gone through together. And I'm very thankful.

WALLACE: This Memorial Day will be especially poignant for the 37-year-old Army Reservist who's studying to be a registered nurse. He is expected to be redeployed to Iraq very soon.

(on camera): There has to be an element of fear.

IBAY: There is. I wouldn't -- I'd be lying to you if I didn't tell you I was scared.

WALLACE (voice-over): It will be tough for his family, also. Ibay came to the United States from the Philippines in 1972. He lives in Ridgewood, New Jersey with his mom and dad and his sister.

IBAY: They know that serving is very important to me. This country has given me a lot, you know, coming from an immigrant family. You know, it's just my way of giving back.

WALLACE: He says he and his fellow soldiers made a difference in Iraq, helping the children, training Iraqi police officers, giving Iraqis their first taste of freedom.

(on camera): Do you think people in the United States, Americans, are getting a clear enough sense of the good things that are happening in Iraq?

IBAY: Unfortunately, you know, violence sells papers. Good news doesn't really sell. So, that's kind of a disappointment.

WALLACE (voice-over): I asked if the criticism of the war, which has grown since he came home, made him angry.

IBAY: No, because that, you know, that's what I fought for. People can think whatever they want to think. That's their right. I just want them to reflect that there are people here that fought for that right and they should be thankful for it.

WALLACE: More than 1,600 U.S. military men and women have died in Iraq. Ibay hopes Americans will remember the fallen, who were also husbands, wives, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters.

IBAY: It's very powerful. Right now I'm getting kind of choked up about it. There are still a lot of people over there making a sacrifice and I just want to do my part. And it's their day, really. It's not really my day. You know, that's why we put the flag on the graves, for the country to be thankful.

WALLACE: Kelly Wallace, CNN, Ridgewood, New Jersey.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

O'BRIEN: At Arlington National Cemetery, in just about three hours, President Bush will deliver remarks at the Tomb of the Unknowns and CNN will bring that ceremony to you live.

Let's get a check now of the holiday forecast.

Chad Myers has got the day off, but Rob Marciano is at the CNN Center.

What kind of weather -- Rob, is the president going to have?

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, we're "Paging Dr. Gupta" about a possible link between Viagra and blindness. What raised red flags about the little blue pill?

VELSHI: Also, Senator Bill Frist is dealt another loss in the Senate. It's not too early to start looking at whether it could hurt his presidential chances in 2008. O'BRIEN: And on this Memorial Day, an emotional look at a heroic young Marine's ultimate sacrifice. He gave his own life to save that of two others.

That's up next on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: This year's Memorial Day concert on the Washington Mall paid special tribute to those who fought in World War 2. Special attention was paid to the veterans of the battle of Iwo Jima 60 years ago. Marine Corporal Jason Dunham was killed a year ago in Iraq. He died saving his fellow Marines. He was nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Michael Phillips told his story first in the "Wall Street Journal," now in a book.

It's called "The Gift of Valor."

Nice to see you.

Thanks for talking with us.

MICHAEL PHILLIPS, "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL," AUTHOR, "THE GIFT OF VALOR": Thank you for having me.

O'BRIEN: Tell us a little bit about the story of the Marine corporal, Jason Dunham. You were embedded with the Marines, but you never met him.

PHILLIPS: No. Corporal Dunham is a -- was a typical small town kid, 22 years old, from a one stoplight town in western New York. A year ago he was leading a patrol to a very hostile area of the Sunni Triangle out on the Syrian border. He approached a car to search it. The driver was a man in black track suit, jumped out at him, tried to strangle him. They wrestled on the ground in just a moment of horrific hand to hand combat.

A couple of Jason's men came over and tried to help out. At some point, the Iraqi let loose a hand grenade. The pin was out. The spoon was off. And in that moment, less than five seconds, Corporal Dunham decided to place his Kevlar helmet right on top of the grenade to try to blunt the blast. It was just an extraordinary decision for a 22-year-old to make.

O'BRIEN: Because he knew it would end his life. The helmet shredded, obviously, and it also, in the end, ended up killing the corporal and injuring the two other Marines who were there.

What happened after that? He went into triage, obviously.

What happened next?

PHILLIPS: Well, that's one of the most amazing things about this story. He was a charismatic guy, 22 years old. People just wanted to be with him. And even after his injury, as he was unconscious, he drew people toward him. And at one field hospital very early on in his treatment, he got there, the doctors took a look at his wounds and they thought, you know, there -- he was not going to make it. And we have too many other wounded guys we have to deal with. It's just one of the harsh parts of military triage.

They put him aside in a room called The Expectant Ward, a room where he was supposed to die. And they had people sit with him. They had the dentist, the dental technicians, a psychologist, sit with him. And for 45 minutes, they talked to him, they held his hand, they wondered who this guy was. And after 45 minutes, he squeezed the hand of one of the people there, the psychologist, and pulled her down to his chest.

And for them, that was just a miracle. They felt like they had brought back to life somebody who was supposed to die in front of them.

O'BRIEN: He ultimately died. And I know it was very important for his parents to have some information that you were able to dig up as a journalist.

I know -- what was the most important thing to his mom to know?

PHILLIPS: Well, Deb Dunham, who is just a wonderful, generous woman, was worried sick that Jason would be alone. She knew he was injured. She knew that it was a serious injury. She didn't know quite how bad it was. But she was scared that he would be alone and in pain. And, you know, in researching the book, "The Gift of Valor," I was able to talk to everybody who was next to Jason all the way to his MediVac back to the United States.

And I was able to tell Deb that, you know, there was always somebody holding his hand, always somebody talking to him. And that, I think, meant -- that meant an enormous amount to her.

O'BRIEN: Oh, I can imagine. I'm sure for a mother to know that. It's the only relief you're going to get in what is a terrible ending.

I know that they have another son who has said that he'd like to be a Marine, as well.

How do they take that?

PHILLIPS: Well, they're -- they have two other sons. Kyl is 16. He wants to be like his brother. He's got the idea that he'll be a machine gunner in the Marine Corps. And, you know, the parents, you can imagine their sense that they have lost an enormous amount. But they are not about to tell Kyl that he can't join the Marine Corps.

In fact, they told the commandant of the Marine Corps at Jason's beside just before he passed that if that's what Kyl wants to do, that's what they'll let him do.

O'BRIEN: It's a remarkable story and it is beautifully written.

Michael Phillips, thanks for coming in to talk to us about it this morning.

PHILLIPS: You're welcome.

O'BRIEN: The book is called "The Gift of Valor."

In just a moment, we've got the story about a special program for the children of fallen U.S. troops. It's called "CAMP GOOD GRIEF" and we'll tell you how it's helping hundreds of children. Plus, a live look at the USS Kennedy that's docked along the Hudson River. Sailors are celebrating Memorial Day here in New York City.

We're back in a moment.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): As CNN celebrates 25 years, we remember the news stories that define a generation.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Liftoff of the...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, when Challenger lifted off, it was normal. We had become about the only news organization, certainly the only national news organization, that carried the shuttle launches live at that point, because by that point, the shuttle was viewed, it's routine. It's routine.

We were all looking at each other like well, what happened? You know, what happened to the vehicle? And then, you know, you go oh my god. Your worst fear is realized. If you were alive when Challenger exploded, you'll always know where you were at that moment.

ZAHN: CNN celebrates 25 years of defining moments, a CNN prime time event, June 1, 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

O'BRIEN: Time to check in with Toure'.

He is in for Jack Cafferty and has got the Question of the Day -- good morning to you.

TOURE', CNN POP CULTURE CORRESPONDENT, "ROLLING STONE" MAGAZINE: Good morning to you.

Scientists are working on a memory enhancing drug, which sounds like a good thing on this national day of remembrance. But most people really want a memory repressing drug to erase painful memories like divorce or the death of a loved one. If such a drug existed now, what one memory would you like to have erased?

Some interesting answers.

Russ from Mineola, Texas says: "On this Memorial Day holiday, I'm particularly proud to be a veteran of the Vietnam era, which means that I'm at the age where my mental efforts are directed more toward recovering memories rather than erasing them."

Mac from Annapolis, Maryland: "My entire second marriage."

Doug from Stoney Creek, Ontario: "Four Super Bowl losses by the Buffalo Bills."

And Tod from Tampa, Florida: "I would like to erase the memory of me getting so drunk the night before my college graduation that I slept through the alarm the next morning and missed the ceremony."

VELSHI: That's not bad, Tod, if that's the worst thing that ever happened to you.

TOURE': Tough break, Tod.

O'BRIEN: Parents waiting for him to walk across the stage.

TOURE': Grandparents are there. Ooh, it could be ugly.

O'BRIEN: You know, just one moment, just, you only get to pick one?

TOURE': Well, you know, actually, it would be worse...

O'BRIEN: Because I have so many.

TOURE': You have so many? Oh, please.

VELSHI: You can take a double dose.

O'BRIEN: That's pretty good. What would you like...

VELSHI: And what would be the top one?

O'BRIEN: The very top one would -- was a very bad travel moment, which was my first live shot ever.

VELSHI: And?

O'BRIEN: Some man grabbed my derriere.

VELSHI: On television?

O'BRIEN: On live -- no, live television. And I stopped speaking and I -- it was a disaster.

TOURE': Oh, no.

O'BRIEN: Even like to this day I still get a little...

VELSHI: Well, you know, the thing not to erase is how you -- you didn't turn around and swear at the guy, which recently happened to one of our colleagues in New York.

O'BRIEN: No. But, saving my job, yes. But...

TOURE': On my first live shot, I almost got into a fight with a guy right before we went on. He shoved my fiancee. I was like hey, you can't do that.

VELSHI: No kidding? TOURE': And they were like hey, you -- they were like in my ear, hey, you can't do that.

VELSHI: Are you -- is that your forgettable? Or are you -- what would be your forgettable moment?

TOURE': Oh, jeez, Ali, I don't know. I'll give it to you the next time.

VELSHI: Yes. All right.

TOURE': And you give me yours, I'll give you mine.

VELSHI: All right, fine. That's a deal.

O'BRIEN: Good.

Thanks, Toure'.

TOURE': Thank you.

O'BRIEN: Well, the presidential election just three years away, some candid comments though, from Senator John McCain, fueling a little speculation about him. A look at that is ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody.

It is just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.

I'm Soledad O'Brien.

VELSHI: And I'm Ali Velshi in for Bill.

Coming up, the story that broke Friday about Viagra and some questions that it might lead to vision loss.

O'BRIEN: Sanjay Gupta has been checking that out.

He's going to explain the connection, if there is any, coming up in just a moment.

First, though, let's get another look at the headlines with Carol Costello -- good morning, again.

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