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Governors of Iowa and Minnesota Taking Look at Tornado Damage; NASA's Newest Space Probe Gets Shots of Mars' Polar Landscape; Giant Inspiration for Reigning Super Bowl Champs
Aired May 26, 2008 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everyone. Stay informed all day in the CNN NEWSROOM. Here's what's on the rundown.
The governors of Iowa and Minnesota taking a look at tornado damage today. Merciless storms leaving seven deaths.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN ANCHOR: It's a snap for Phoenix. NASA's newest space probe gets amazing shots of Mars' polar landscape.
HARRIS: A war veteran. A giant inspiration for the reigning Super Bowl champs. "Headline News" Robin Meade salutes the troops today, Memorial Day 2008. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
DE LA CRUZ: The middle of the country, the epicenter of heart break. Weekend storms spawned vicious tornadoes across several states. Here's what we know so far this morning. The greatest death toll is in Iowa. At least six people there confirmed dead. Dozens more are injured. In Minnesota, at least one person is dead. That victim, a two-year-old child. Dozens of homes are destroyed. Just minutes from now, we're going to have a live report from the hardest hit area.
Sunday's violent weather also stretched into Texas. At least three confirmed tornadoes touched down in the panhandle. The twisters were weak and the area sparsely populated. There are no reports of injuries or significant damage.
It's still not clear how many tornadoes tore through Oklahoma Saturday. If you look closely, you'll see a twister plow into a cluster of barns. You see that off to the side there. Pretty amazing pictures. Also, among the losses, a church in Garfield County.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SAM JEROME, PASTOR: A lot of time, you put a lot of your life into it. Now it's gone. But we'll rebuild it.
BONNIE ROBERTS, PARISHIONER: I'm thankful, I know why, no one lost any lives. It was just a building, I know. But sure meant a lot to a lot of us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DE LA CRUZ: For many, Sunday was a day of prayer and giving thanks. Others, a day of grieving. A series of tornadoes raked across Kansas. At least 17 twisters hit the state on Friday. The next day, a powerful tornado picked a car and threw it 150 yards, Tony. Both people inside were killed.
HARRIS: Boy. In Minnesota, the hardest hit area is the town of Hugo, just outside of St. Paul. CNN's Ed Lavandera is there. And Ed, a reported death in Hugo. A 2-year-old child.
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right. That child was killed in the neighborhood you see behind me. And you take one look in, and you can see how devastating it has been. We have been essentially kept on the outskirts of this neighborhood for security reasons, really. A lot of the - a lot of downed trees and power lines in there. They've got rescue teams inside this neighborhood, now going through homes, making sure there are no other victims or any other injured people left behind, after the storm here - hit here late afternoon. It got dark so it made the search and rescue operations much more difficult throughout the night. But city officials here tell us that in the coming hours they will begin to reopen the neighborhood so people can go back in, start assessing the damage.
When you take a look at it from the sky above and you can see the dozens of -- some 50 homes that were destroyed by this tornado. The path of the storm cut a swathe through this neighborhood of about half mile wide and a mile long. It wasn't on the ground a short time, but the short time that it was on the ground here, Tony, it was a devastating experience.
HARRIS: Well, Ed, I'm just sort of curious, you're talking about Sunday evening storms. And we always ask in these cases, did the people get enough notice that a storm system was brewing, and that trouble was on the way?
LAVANDERA: Well, we spoke with the city administrator here in Hugo a little while ago, and they said the subdivision was built about seven years ago. And when it was built, there was a tornado siren put very close into this neighborhood. The city officials are saying that the residents here did have plenty of warning that this storm was coming. A little bright spot here - the good news is that many people were away for the long Memorial Day weekend. So initially there were some 20 people that were thought to be missing, but we're told a lot of those people had been accounted for, they just weren't home at the time of the storm.
HARRIS: That's a bit of a blessing there. All right. Ed Lavandera for us this morning. It's a hard hit area. Ed, appreciate it. Thank you.
DE LA CRUZ: Not just Minnesota, but also parts of Oklahoma. All the plains states, tornado alley. Our Reynolds Wolf is keeping track of all the activity happening there today. Good morning, Reynolds.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You know what's amazing. This thing really started with a couple of tornadoes in California, and then in Colorado, and then everything pushed from west to east. And it's just been a battering ram over a good section of the country. And today looks like it could happen again. Right now, we have a slight risk for a good part of the Midwest south of the Great Lakes through the Ohio Valley but also a moderate risks into parts of well Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Notice right there, we don't have a whole lot of activity in that section for the time being. That's because we need a little bit of daytime heating and then we can see some of the storms form. And that is precisely where the storm prediction center expects. That's what's going to happen later on. What's happening right now is that we've got some intense storms mainly west of Wichita at this time, all driving east. Not severe at this time, but still certainly some big rain producers. Heavy rain producers now moving across the Mississippi River and into parts of Paducah, northward along parts of i-64 south of Springfield, some especially heavy showers.
And one thing that's very troubling about this is in many places, in parts of Missouri, we have had anywhere from three to four inches of rain. We're expecting more today. And for that reason, we've got plenty of watches and warnings that are popping up across the state. So it could be a very interesting day to say the least. So anyone who's traveling in parts of i-44 into i-70 on your holiday, please be careful in here. There is much of the land is just inundated with the heavy water. And we could see repeat performance of what we saw a few months back, when Jacqui Jeras was reporting live from parts of Missouri where we had the severe flooding. It could happen again. Also, what could happen in places like Chicago where we could see some severe storms and with that at the major airports, we could have some major backups. Right now, we have a live camera for you from WGN that shows skies are partly cloudy. It doesn't look bad yet, but wait until 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, maybe even into the early evening hours of 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, we could have some rough weather. And certainly backups will be expected. That's the latest. Back to you.
DE LA CRUZ: It could be a tough day for a lot of travelers out there.
HARRIS: Absolutely. Reynolds, appreciate it. Thanks very much.
DE LA CRUZ: An image you won't forget. Eyewitness accounts you will want to hear. Tornado tears apart building as workers huddled inside. Their stories, their words in the NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: Holidays, prime campaign days. John McCain and Barack Obama both meet with veterans in New Mexico this Memorial Day. Hillary Clinton remains in Puerto Rico shoring up support ahead of Sunday's primary. 55 delegates at stake there. We will look in on a speech that she is expected to deliver this hour. Obama is now closer to clinching the Democratic nomination. He picked up three more superdelegates in Hawaii. And look for another name on the November ballot. The Libertarian Party picked former Republican congressman Bob Barr to headline its ticket.
DE LA CRUZ: Primary season in the meantime winding down. Just three contests to go. One of them Sunday in Puerto Rico. Our Suzanne Malveaux is in San Juan. She's standing by, before Senator Hillary Clinton's speaks. Suzanne, what can we expect?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you can expect that she's going to be fighting very, very hard for those 55 delegates. I just want to show you the front page of the local paper here. This is essentially Hillary Clinton challenging Barack Obama to another debate, anytime, anyplace, she says, over issues that are concerning Puerto Rican voters. Obviously this means a lot to her. We're not only going to see Hillary Clinton, but also her husband Bill Clinton, her daughter Chelsea. Why does this matter so much? There are just three remaining contests. Well, what she wants to do is really kind of build up, and get more pledged delegates from Puerto Rico. She wants to get more of the popular vote, and take those numbers to the superdelegates, those party officials who ultimately are going to decide which way this goes. And say, look, I'm getting stronger and stronger. I'm close to Barack Obama. Therefore, you should swing my way. That is why they're putting so much, investing so much in Puerto Rico now, because they believe they can get those numbers up.
But obviously the other part of this is Florida and Michigan. What happens to those delegates. The Democratic National Committee is really going to have to sit down, the bylaws and rules committees, and decide what happens to those delegates. That's all part of this equation. But we have heard Senator Clinton over the weekend and throughout the day. Essentially, she's got five events today. She's talking about things that matter to Puerto Rican voters. And the main thing, the issue number one is really the status of Puerto Rico itself, whether it should go for independence or statehood or remain a commonwealth. Then she said that is going to be her priority if she becomes president for her first term.
DE LA CRUZ: All right. Suzanne, when can we expect that to happen? Do you know?
MALVEAUX: Well, she's going to be speaking momentarily. But we also expect to see her throughout the day. I mean, this is five different events. She had five yesterday, five today. Obviously she is crisscrossing the island. She wants to get as much publicity as possible, as much support. She's been here before, her husband as well as her daughter. This means a lot to them. This is down to the wire. They realize that every one of those pledged delegates is going to make a difference.
DE LA CRUZ: Right. Suzanne Malveaux live for us there, keeping track of all that. Like she was just saying, Hillary will be wrapping up her three-day swing through Puerto Rico. She's going to be making a speech and of course when it begins, we're going to carry it live for you right here.
You know, when it comes to politics, you know about blue states and red states. But could purple states, could they decide the next election? It's all ahead in the CNN NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: Well, today is Memorial Day. The day we remember and honor the sacrifices made by U.S. troops around the world. Here is a look at the Vietnam Wall Memorial in Washington, D.C.. It is a gathering place for family and friends to remember those lost in the war. And all across the country today people will get together for ceremonies and parades. President Bush makes his traditional visit to Arlington National Cemetery this hour. We will take you there live for the laying of the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and we will bring you the President's remarks at 11:15 a.m. Eastern time.
Carrying the scars of battle, a special Memorial Day story of one soldier's sacrifice and sense of duty. CNN's Barbara Starr is in Washington this morning. And Barbara, we love these stories that you are bringing to us from the Brooke Army Medical Center.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Tony, you and I have talked about this in the past. I recently traveled to Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas to meet just a few of the nearly 700 troops that have suffered serious burns in the war. We want you to meet one young airman who's been trying to recover for more than two years. When Air Force Technical Sergeant Israel del Toro left his wife and son behind in 2005 for a tour of duty in Afghanistan, his job was to call in air strikes. But that December, his humvee hit a massive IED.
TECH. SGT. ISRAEL DEL TORO, U.S. AIR FORCE: I knew I was on fire, but I didn't know how much I was until I got out. I was just from head to toe, just lit up like a Christmas tree. So, and I collapsed. And that's when I'm thinking, crap, you know, I'm going to die. I'm not going to see my wife, I'm not going to see my son again.
STARR: Del Toro forced himself to stay conscious long enough to tell a buddy how to radio for air strikes.
DEL TORO: It was like, yes, I know it hurts, but these guys are going to help. So, how do get air to them.
STARR: It would be nearly half an hour before a Medevac helicopter could land.
DEL TORO: I was just telling the guys, hey, man, I just want to sleep. Just let me rest. And they knew, if you fall asleep you're not going to wake up out there. They used my son, they said, hey, you've got to fight for your son. And they made me yell, yell until the helicopter finally came in.
STARR: Del Toro suffered third-degree burns over 80 percent of his body. The doctors gave him a 20 percent chance to live.
DEL TORO: They told me I may not walk again.
STARR: And what did you say to that?
DEL TORO: Well, I couldn't talk. So - because I had a trach in my neck. They read my lips, and I said, go to hell, when they told me that.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
STARR: And Tony, Sergeant Del Toro says he still wants to stay in the Air Force and try to train others to do the job he still loves. HARRIS: And Barbara, if you would just tell us more about what you've heard from these guys on your visits.
STARR: Well, you know, these burn patients really are a unique group. They are in pain every day going through painful therapy. And what they tell me that they'd like people to try and understand when they see these burn patients, you know, they know they're going to be stared at. They know that people are curious about what has happened to them. But they want people to understand that they are still trying to recover every day, years after their initial injuries. They go through multiple operations. They have debilitating scars. And it takes them a very long time to get their lives back.
HARRIS: Boy, terrific that you're introducing us to these men and their stories. Barbara Starr in Washington for us. Barbara, thanks.
DE LA CRUZ: Air travel and summer delays. Could you be left sitting on the runway? Test flights right here in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My name's Sgt. Black. I'm based on Oklahoma. I'm at Camp Liberty, Iraq right now from Bangor, Maine. I just want to say thank you, mom, Shirley Black. Thank you for all your support and love.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My name is Dave, and on behalf of my four brothers and sister, I want to salute our brother, Corporal Richard J. Nelson, who died in a roadside bombing on April 14th, 2008. I salute Rick for his courage to join the military and become a marine in time of war. I salute him for his honorable life that he lived, the respect he showed people. That we love you, Rick. We think about you every day. And we'll see you again some day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DE LA CRUZ: All right. So you hear a lot about red states, blue states, but when it comes to picking the next president, well, the color purple be in play? Senior political analyst Bill Schneider is with the CNN's "Election Express" in Covington, Kentucky. So Bill, Ohio is one of those purple, or swing states, if you will. And both Democrats and Republicans need it in November.
BILL SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right. Republicans have not won the presidency without carrying Ohio in about 100 years at the very least. That's Ohio right over there. I'm standing across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, one of the largest cities in Ohio. It's a state that's hurting badly from the loss of manufacturing jobs. The word NAFTA is virtually a curse word here in Ohio. It's always right on the bubble between Democrats and Republicans. Republicans did carry it last time. And that was on the basis of a large turnout of social conservative voters for President Bush. This time, the economy could sweep away all other issues. But Barack Obama has to make the case that he can turn the economy around. It's a state that in the Democratic primary in March voted heavily for Hillary Clinton.
DE LA CRUZ: Bill Schneider, thank you so much. In Covington, Kentucky with that for us right across the river from Ohio there. Bill, thanks so much.
HARRIS: They gave all the nation honors, it's men and women killed at war, President Bush's Memorial Day remarks live this morning at 11:15 Eastern in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVE LEMON: My name is Dave Lemon. I'm here for a reunion of the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing. I would like to pay a tribute to Larry Haines who was the brother of my best friend, who served in -- as a marine in (Kayson) and was killed there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: China's earthquake death toll rising again this morning. The number of dead more than 65,000. Putting that figure into some perspective for you, it is like the entire population of Bermuda wiped off the map. Other grim stats, more than 360,000 are hurt, 23,000 plus are missing. And the ground, it is still shaking. Eight people were killed and about 1,000 others injured when a powerful aftershock hit Sunday. That aftershock also destroyed more than 70,000 homes in three provinces. And because so many children were killed in the quake, China announced today it is making exceptions in its one child policy across China's earthquake zone. The more dangers this morning, rivers turned to lakes by tons and tons of debris. Now threatening to burst their banks. Hundreds of thousands of people are at risk. Here's CNN's Hugh Riminton.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HUGH RIMINTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is one of more than 30 so-called quake lakes that pose, according to the Chinese authorities, the most immediate serious danger to people living in the earthquake zone. Behind me you can see some Chinese soldiers who just boarded a yellow raft. They're beginning to make their way up this lake. It already goes more than five kilometers upriver where it is in the act of drowning, as the lake rises, drowning various villages and houses. There were 8,000 to 9,000 people living up behind here. Those who survived the earthquake itself have now been evacuated. But to give you an idea of what this lake - quake lake is all about, there's been a massive land slide that has come down here, and it has cut across this river, the Chaoping River. It's an extremely unstable arrangement at the moment. The lake is rising by two meters a day, and that's without any major rainfall. It's expected in the next five or six days at the current rate of growth that this lake will rise up sufficiently, it will be about where I'm standing now, and it will start to spillover. Potentially disastrously down into the valley below where are there are tens of thousands of people still living. There's an evacuation plan just on this river right now to move 50,000 people.
And all this rubble, this massive amount of material has come from this mountain just up behind me. And when the earthquake struck on May the 12th, virtually an entire mountainside exploded down into this valley. And it is the weight of all of this that is causing a dam so immense, that it is blocking it up, creating this lake. Now, in other quake lakes, they're looking at options to blow up by controlled explosions parts of these land slides in the hope that they can, in effect, a measured release of the water. They've had geologists here and experts looking at it. They said there's so much rubble and rock here they can't use that option in this example. They're going to try to bring up bulldozers and excavators up a very dangerous road, former road up here and try to scour out a spillway, so that as this lake rises, it can release bit by bit and release some of that pressure without it having an explosive collapse that would just be almost beyond imagination the damage that it could do.
The Chinese authorities say there are 34 or 35 quake lakes that are giving them real concern at the moment. As I say, with some 700,000 people downstream in danger. Hugh Riminton, CNN, on the Chaoping River in China.
HARRIS: Boy, you've been watching these pictures for the last few weeks. We know if you want more, go to cnn.com, we have a special page on the devastation in China, and also in Myanmar. Plus, links to aid agencies that are organizing help for the region. It is a chance for you to obviously impact your world. Let us be your guide.
DE LA CRUZ: A helping hand for veterans, one special program giving some of America's finest the chance to honor their fallen friends. CNN's Sandra Endo is at the Vietnam War Lawn Memorial this morning. Sandra, good morning to you.
SANDRA ENDO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Veronica. It truly is a unique and touching program which started several years ago, and honor flights has already brought hundreds of veterans from across the country here to the nation's capital.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ENDO (voice-over): Sure-footed with camera in hand, Robert Cooper takes in the World War II Memorial bit for Americans who fought in that conflict. Cooper just shy of 89 years old is a survivor of the battle of the bulge.
ROBERT COOPER, WORLD WAR II VETERAN: There's very few of us guys from the battle of the bulge left now. We're supposed to be in there three days. And we were in there 90 days. We left a lot of good buddies over there.
ENDO: For his buddies who survived, honor flight is a program that flies veterans to Washington to visit the four-year-old World War II Memorial and other monuments on the wall. Bus loads of men who in many cases could not afford to make the trip.
COOPER: It's marvelous to be here.
ENDO: Cooper brings memories of the war all the way from Indiana, having been through his own battles he reflects on what the country is going through now, the war in Iraq.
COOPER: I think the guys that are over there now doing that is doing a fantastic job. The President's my commander in chief. And I back him 100 percent. And you stay until you get the job done.
ENDO: Whatever people may think about the controversial war, Cooper has this message on Memorial Day.
COOPER: Honor the soldiers, honor the guys who are in the service now and honor the ones that have passed on. And honor the ones that never came back. I'm patriotic. I believe in my country.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ENDO: Now, the priority for honor flights is to bring World War II veterans here to the nation's capital, but the program is open to vets from all wars. Live in Washington, I'm Sandra Endo, back to you.
DE LA CRUZ: And Sandra, we're watching the pictures behind you, we're watching the people file in. I know you've been there all morning long. And I'm sure because of this program a lot of these veterans are seeing the wall for the first time. What has the reaction been?
ENDO: Oh, absolutely amazing and touching. A lot of people who have come here for the first time to see these monumental memorials built for them and their service are just kind of star-struck and awe- struck, actually, that this was made for them. They are stunned in silence. Some break down in tears. And others just want to take it all in, and soak it all up. Because this is their one chance to come here. Again, they fly in in the morning, and then leave that night. So it's really just a whirlwind experience for them to go to all the monuments here in the mall.
DE LA CRUZ: It's good that that program does exists. Sandra Endo, thank you so much. We do appreciate it.
And as you know, the nation honoring its men and women killed in war. President Bush lays a wreath at the tomb of the unknowns. That's just about 25 minutes away now. He's going to be delivering remarks at about 11:15 Eastern. You can see it all right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: A giant inspiration. One wounded warrior charges up a football team for a "Super Bowl" win. Robin Meade, host of "Headline News's" morning express, just ahead in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My brother Byron Norwood was a sergeant with the United States Marine Corps. He was so funny. He made all of us laugh. He had the greatest sense of humor. He loved America, his family and his Marines more than anything else in the world.
He was killed in action in Fallujah on November 13th, 2004 during a rescue mission to help save the lives of seven wounded Marines trapped in a house.
Byron, I love you, and I miss you every moment of every day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: News as it develops as only CNN can bring it to you. See for yourself in the CNN NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: And just past the half hour, welcome back, everyone, to the CNN NEWSROOM. I'M Tony Harris.
DE LA CRUZ: Nice to see you all. I'm Veronica De La Cruz.
The middle of the country, the epicenter of heart break. Weekend storms spawned vicious tornadoes across several states -- Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas -- all keeping a watchful eye on the sky today.
Here's what we know. Here's what's happened so far. This morning, the greatest death toll is in Iowa. At least six people are confirmed dead. Dozens more are injured. And in Minnesota, at least one person is dead. That victim, a 2-year-old child. Dozens of homes are destroyed.
And just minutes from now, a live report from the hardest hit area.
Sunday's violent weather also stretched into Texas. At least three confirmed tornadoes touched down in the Panhandle. The twisters were weak. The area sparsely populated. There are no reports of injuries or significant damage.
Well, when the weather becomes the news, don't forget, send us your iReports. Log on to CNN.com, click on iReport, or you can also type in iReport@CNN.com right into your cell phone.
But do remember, please, stay safe in the process.
HARRIS: You know, we think about those who serve our country every day. And this Memorial Day we're telling some of those heroes' stories. This one's from our sister network "HEADLINE NEWS" on "MORNING EXPRESS WITH ROBIN MEADE," a special version of its daily salute to troops.
Robin joins us now with the story.
And Robin, this is -- I saw this piece a little earlier.
ROBIN MEADE, HEADLINE NEWS: Did you? HARRIS: This is -- yes. This is terrific. Talk about an inspiration.
The guy you're about to introduce us to not only has a Purple Heart, but he has a Super Bowl ring.
MEADE: Isn't that quite the combination?
HARRIS: This is great. Yes.
MEADE: Yes, exactly. Tony, thank you.
You know, this is one more amputee who may not be able to run on a football field any longer, but Lieutenant Colonel Greg Gadson is a man that you could say hoisted 53 men to the Super Bowl.
On this Memorial Day, we look at a man who realizes how close he came to being memorialized, but came back and inspired others.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LT. COL. GREG GADSON, U.S. ARMY: When I was lying there fighting for my life in Baghdad, all I could think about was my family, and just getting home to them.
MEADE (voice over): You're looking at a man who lost his legs after an explosion in Iraq mangled his Humvee. Not exactly someone you'd expect to then become part of the Super Bowl champions New York Giants.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: He's got the Purple Heart and three Bronze Stars and now he's got a Super Bowl ring minted for a true Giant.
MEADE: Twenty-year army veteran Lieutenant Colonel Gadson won the hearts of the Giants with a pep talk. The link between the lieutenant colonel here before his injury and the team, Gadson was on the gridiron at West Point in the '80s with Mike Sullivan, now an assistant coach for New York.
Sullivan visited his old teammate healing at the Walter Reed Medical Center.
MIKE SULLIVAN, N.Y. GIANTS ASST. COACH: I went there to try to lift his spirits and pumped him up, and yet I came away so much more rewarded. I was inspired. I just kept going back to how impressed I was with him. And about how I think his story and what he stands for might benefit our players.
And he visited with our team that night before the Washington game.
GADSON: I remember when my wife was driving me up to the hotel to link up with the Giants, and I'm thinking, man, what am I going to say. I just had this dread of not letting Mike down. TOM COUGHLIN, N.Y. GIANTS HEAD COACH: One of the things he said which was really great was he talked about what it means to be a teammate. For the soldier on your right, the soldier on your left, and how in combat they hold your life in their hands, you hold their life in your hands.
And what he was saying there was when he was wounded, that he knew that his fellow soldiers would come to his aid. And they would be there for him.
GADSON: What they were trying to accomplish, nobody outside that room could affect. And if you can focus on that, if you can focus on each other, then you can truly achieve something that is special.
MEADE: The Giants responded.
UNIDENTIFIED GIANTS TEAM MEMBER: Guess who's getting the game ball?
MEADE: Winning 10 straight road games, the Giants had gelled, and then found themselves in the Super Bowl up against the three-time champions, Patriots.
MEADE (on camera): Well, my gosh, now what do you come up to tell these guys that's different than what you told them before?
GADSON: Tonight I speak to you as one of your teammates. And it's because you guys have embraced me as a team mate. And I embrace you as men that I would take anywhere.
MEADE (voice over): If you know football, you know these shots, captured the essence of the game. An unlikely catch by David Tyree part of an unlikely win.
Now the story of inspiration has come full circle. The Super Bowl champions returned to Walter Reed to inspire the colonels he meets.
GADSON: I spent last Memorial Day in the hospital. And I really realize how blessed I was that, you know, there's a tremendous amount of sacrifice that servicemen make. And I just say to the people, if you get a chance, and you see one, just tell them thank you.
That's all they need is just a simple thanks.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MEADE: Isn't that something? And always thinking about his fellow comrades. You know, just say thanks to them.
As part of the Wounded Warrior Program, Lieutenant Colonel Gadson continues to serve his country. Soon he begins a policy in management graduate program at Georgetown University.
And by the way, if you wanted to see a little bit more tape on this story, we certainly have a lot of tape. Go to CNN.com/robin, and check out "The Salute to the Troops" coverage.
HARRIS: Now, Robin, here's the thing. I don't want folks to think leaving this segment that you just do this on Memorial Day and other big occasions. Your team is terrific about saluting the troops throughout the year, and for a couple of years running now at least.
MEADE: You know, I'm going to give the credit to the viewers, because it started with them. A couple of years ago, we said if there's someone in the service that you want to salute, the least they can do is devote...
HARRIS: Yes.
MEADE: ... 20, 25 seconds every hour to do this. And the response has been huge. And we have so much that people can go online now to iReport.com...
HARRIS: That's terrific.
MEADE: ... or CNN.com/robin. And so in addition to seeing it on the air every day themselves, saying thanks to someone that they know, they can also see it online.
HARRIS: Well, that is a terrifically inspirational story. Thank you so much.
MEADE: Wasn't he something?
HARRIS: Yes. He was...
MEADE: Thank you.
HARRIS: ... something.
MEADE: Yes.
HARRIS: And thank you. Thanks to your team. Terrific work, everyone. Of course, we're still to watch "AMERICAN MORNING" but we want folks to also watch what you're doing there...
MEADE: We're all in the same family.
HARRIS: ... in the sister network, CNN -- yes...
MEADE: We're all in the same family.
HARRIS: Yes. "MORNING EXPRESS WITH ROBIN MEADE."
MEADE: Tony, thank you.
HARRIS: Yes. Thank you. Appreciate it.
They gave all. The nation honors its men and women killed at war. President Bush lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in just about 15 minutes. And he will deliver remarks at 11:15 a.m. Eastern Time. A live picture for you here. See it all here in the NEWSROOM. And still to come, air travel and summer delays -- could you be left sitting on the runway? Test flights right here in the NEWSROOM.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In this picture is my little brother, Rich Henkes.
Richie's greatest passion was her daughter and he loved playing the guitar. And every time we saw him, he would give me a big bear hug.
Richie died doing something he absolutely loved. He loved the army. He loved serving his country. He was killed in action on September 3rd, 2006.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DE LA CRUZ: And of course, we are honoring the nation's fallen heroes. You can send us an iReport by logging on to iReport.com.
Well, the holiday weekend. It marks the unofficial start to the summer driving season. And the timing? It couldn't be worse. AAA says the national average for a gallon of gas rose for the 20th straight day.
And as Stephanie Elam tells us, rising gas prices aren't the only things that Americans have to worry about these days.
Stephanie, what's the news?
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Sadly, it is true, Veronica. I hate to be the one to tell everyone, although at this point, they're probably well into their vacations now and they're about to hit the road and drive home, maybe .
But the national average for regular gas, it's now over $3.93 a gallon. And many people are coping by just staying closer to home this Memorial Day.
DE LA CRUZ: Right.
ELAM: But you know what? It's not just the gas that's going up. AAA says the average cost of owning and operating a car will be about $8,100 this year. That's nearly $300 more than just last year.
No surprise, of course, fuel is the biggest expense. And that makes up about 30 percent of all of the cost. But the price of maintenance and repair, it's creeping up as well. And so because of that, one Midas franchise says many of his customers are opting for only the most basic of tune-ups.
A separate survey from Colliers International also shows that daily parking rates in big cities rose last year for the fourth straight year. Something that I've noticed, Veronica.
DE LA CRUZ: Right. Well, you know, with all of this going on -- gas prices skyrocketing -- people really are starting to make these lifestyle changes. Some are ditching their car altogether.
ELAM: Yes. I think we may be getting really close to hitting a tipping point here. A new government report shows that in March, Americans drove 11 billion fewer miles when compared to the same time last year. That marks the sharpest year-over- year drop since the government began tracking these numbers back in the 1940s.
We wonder how much of a savings this would be. So as it turns out, that at 25 miles per gallon -- and that's $3.93 for a gallon of gas, as we just said, is the new national average -- that's a savings of $1.7 billion. And if that pattern holds true for the rest of the year, the savings would top $20 billion.
So it was big number there we're talking about.
Now, final note here, the financial markets? I can promise you no up, no down today. They are closed in observance of Memorial Day. Investors probably could use the break as well. The Dow Industrials lost more than 500 points...
DE LA CRUZ: Ouch.
ELAM: ... last week.
DE LA CRUZ: Ouch.
ELAM: ... so hopefully when we open up again tomorrow, we'll find some green in our life -- Veronica.
DE LA CRUZ: Yes, Stephanie, you know, the next time I see you, have some good news.
ELAM: At least I'll smile at you at your desk when you come back to New York.
HARRIS: There you go.
DE LA CRUZ: All right. Sounds good. Thanks, Stephanie.
ELAM: Thanks.
HARRIS: Summer vacations, crowded airports and weather delays. The Bermuda Triangle for all air travelers.
Our Jeanne Meserve took a test flight to see if we're in for another endless summer on the runways.
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JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Our journey started last Wednesday evening.
(On camera): That's Europe. We don't need that, unfortunately. We wish we were flying to Europe, but only Dayton today.
(Voice over): The board showed Continental flight 2286 on time. We headed for the gate and boarded just a few minutes late. But just after they shut the door...
(On camera): Well, the crew just announced we're going to be delayed for about an hour because of airport traffic.
(Voice over): We waited in a long line for takeoff. And it was indeed almost an hour before we were airborne.
(On camera): So here we are in Dayton. We got here four minutes early, even though we took off from Newark almost an hour late.
(Voice over): How is that possible? Continental put an hour pad in the schedule to compensate for Newark's routine delays. That gives passengers a realistic arrival time. But it also means that our wait on the tarmac wasn't recorded as a delay, which makes this statistic even more amazing.
In March, this flight was officially late more than 92 percent of the time with an average delay of an hour and a half.
This flight may be the worst, but the cascading effects of bad weather, congested air space, and the over-scheduling of flights at some airports is making plenty of other flights late, too.
SEN. CHARLES SCHUMER (D), NEW YORK: Passengers were delayed by 320 million hours last year. 320 million hours. If you divide that by 24 hours in a day, 365 days a year, passengers were delayed a total of 36,500 years.
MESERVE: And if your flight is canceled, it could be tough to get another.
BYFORD TREANOR, DALLAS-FORT WORTH INTL. AIRPORT: Because of low factors being as high as they are, and flights limited, it's not just simple thing getting out the next day. It may take you one or two days to get out.
MESERVE: The airport at Dallas-Fort Worth is trying to ease that pain. It now has a stock of cots and pillows, toiletry kit, even diapers and formula for stranded travelers.
(On camera): The Federal Aviation Administration has announced that some military air space will be opened up to commercial aviation and pilots will be given the option of flying around bad weather. All in an attempt to make flying a little smoother this summer.
Jeanne Meserve, CNN, Newark International Airport.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DE LA CRUZ: The nation honors its men and women killed in war. President Bush lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns and delivers remarks minutes from now. You can see it live right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.
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HARRIS: Right now we're going to take you to Arlington National Cemetery, the Tomb of the Unknowns. President Bush arriving -- is actually at Arlington right now. As you can see, the secretary -- Defense Secretary Gates there.
The president momentarily will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, today, for the last time, as president on this Memorial Day.
Another reminder from the president, something that he stated yesterday. He would like to see all Americans pause for a moment at 3:00 p.m., wherever you are, at that time, and remember fallen soldiers.
President Bush at the Tomb of the Unknowns, which, as you know, is the most symbolic site at Arlington National Cemetery. The tomb, as you could see here, is guarded, and is 24 hours a day, regardless of the weather conditions by soldiers from the U.S. Army's third infantry known as the Old Guard.
And while guarding the tomb, the Sentinels take 21 steps routinely before turning and facing the tomb for 21 seconds. And that corresponds to the 21-gun salute, which as you know is America's highest military honor.
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HARRIS: There you have President Bush taking part in the wreath- laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, the Tomb of the Unknowns for the last time as president, on Memorial Day, originally called Declaration Day, traditionally celebrated on the 30th. Always celebrated on the last Monday in May, a day of reconciliation, a day coming together to honor those who gave their all.
President Bush, in just a couple of minutes -- in about 15 past the hour, will be offering his remarks on this Memorial Day. And we will look forward to bringing those to you live right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.
DE LA CRUZ: Another event we've been watching closely here in the CNN NEWSROOM, Hillary Clinton -- she is wrapping up the third day of her campaigning in Puerto Rico. There she is. She's having what is being billed as a conversation with a Puerto Rican family. She has been campaigning all day long, with her husband Bill and her daughter Chelsea.
Let's go ahead and take a moment right here to see what she's saying.
CLINTON: Are you still working?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
CLINTON: Where do you work? At the sports complex? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE)
CLINTON: Yes, yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, but those are not going to be there because I already have my (INAUDIBLE) paid.
CLINTON: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I don't want to...
CLINTON: Lose that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
CLINTON: Your Social Security?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
CLINTON: You know, one of the problems with that is that you get penalized if you keep working.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
CLINTON: Which makes no sense, because, you know, you're obviously vigorous and still very young to my eyes. So if you wanted to keep working, you shouldn't be penalized.
You know, one of the things that I want to do as president for Puerto Rico is to be extending more economic opportunities to the island, and to make sure that businesses here have the same kind of tax breaks and incentives that people get to have in the states.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Even for the cigarettes. They get tax.
CLINTON: Yes, I know. I know. I know. Everything. Everything.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
CLINTON: Right? How long have you lived here? How long have you stayed in your home?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow. Well, first we lived way down there, then we came to the first floor, and then we came here. That is -- that we have four rooms, two beds, two bathrooms.
