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White House Party Crashers; Afghanistan Decision; Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade; Anniversary of India's 9/11; Thanksgiving in Afghanistan; NFL Star Helps Homeless Teen

Aired November 26, 2009 - 09:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: All right, you all have a great, happy Thanksgiving. I haven't quite been bitten by that "Twilight" as of yet.

(LAUGHTER)

All right. Well, our plate is full today. We've got a lot on the menu, beginning with White House security breach. The Secret Service says an uninvited couple crashed the state dinner.

An NFL star invites a homeless teen on a college trip, and the teen gives the athlete a different tour of Skid Row.

And getting ready for Black Friday sales? We'll show you how a click of the mouse can actually get you huge holiday savings.

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody. I'm Fredricka Whitfield, in for Heidi Collins.

As I mentioned the plate is very full. On the agenda this Thanksgiving day, Dan Lothian at the White House. He's going to give us more about that mystery couple crashing that state dinner.

And Elaine Quijano is at the Pentagon. She's going to give us an idea of what the president's plans are as it relates to Afghanistan and more U.S. troops on the way. And Deborah Feyerick is in New York City for all the kids, all young at heart. She's at the Macy's Day Thanksgiving parade. She'll give us a preview of what's on tap there.

All right. So it appears that you didn't need a ticket to get into the hottest party this week. A pair of Washington socialites actually crashed President Obama's first state dinner. But their attempt at being on the A-list, well, it could come with a pretty steep cost.

CNN White House correspondent Dan Lothian is joining us this morning.

So, Dan, how in the world did they get past security? That's the big question today.

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That certainly is the big question. I mean, clearly, at least according to the Secret Service and their preliminary investigation, what the procedures -- the proper procedures were not followed at least at one checkpoint, allowing the couple to come in when their name was not on the list.

You know, it's really unusual, working here at the White House every day, where you understand how tight security is here at the White House. And so when you hear a story like this, it sort of makes you think, how did this happen? Because long before you even get to the White House, if you're the general public, you have to provide a lot of personal information, like your Social Security number, your date of birth.

That gets you on the list. And when you get here, you show a government-issued I.D. at that point, they check the list, if your name isn't on the list, you don't get in. But they managed to somehow get in and then bragged about it, really, on their Facebook pages, showing pictures of themselves with the vice president, also Rahm Emanuel, who by the way, they labeled "Ron" Emanuel.

So they got the name wrong on their Facebook page. But they have these pictures out there. They got in. Apparently there is an ongoing investigation and I'm told by a Secret Service agent that they continue to interview additional employees as well here at the White House.

WHITFIELD: And I guess, in part for them, they simply looked the part. It was very rainy and maybe, you know, there was this kind of madness at the entrance in order to get in.

LOTHIAN: That's right.

WHITFIELD: But I wonder now if they'll be facing any possible charges, because this is a very serious breach.

LOTHIAN: It is a very serious breach. You know, you're right, in that they really did play the party, tuxedo, wonderful garments. You know they were posing for the cameras coming in.

So they certainly looked like they belonged at the White House, but as you talked about that security breach and potentially what could come from this, at least according to our security experts, they're telling us that this could be more than just simply trespassing, depending on what they said.

You know, it could be that they didn't make up a story, but perhaps they did and lied to a federal official, then this could be a federal crime. That's what we're being told by our security consultant.

The Secret Service not commenting yet on what, if any, charges will be brought against the couple, but certainly this is serious. I mean, this will be more than just sort of crashing the typical party.

WHITFIELD: Yes. Lots of questions being asked on this Thanksgiving Day. All right. We know that the Obamas are also giving thanks there right at the White House behind you.

LOTHIAN: That's right. WHITFIELD: So often we see presidents go off to their, you know, former residence or perhaps their retreats, but this White House seems to like to stay in Washington. You know anything about the Obamas' plans and why they are so committed to stay there at the White House this holiday season?

LOTHIAN: Well, we know that they're having Thanksgiving dinner here at the White House and I'm told by aides spending time with family and friends. And you know, that's an interesting question because you're correct.

A lot of times presidents will go back to their homes or will go to Camp David. But this White House, President Obama and his family, have not made a lot of trips back to Chicago. Perhaps that's because they've really brought Chicago to them.

A lot of their close friends have spent a lot of time here in Washington, a significant time, even in the summer here with the first family. Their daughter's friends will often be flown in to spend time with them as well. And of course, the first grandmother lives with them here.

So perhaps the reason they don't feel so inclined to head back to Chicago is because, oftentimes, Chicago really ends up being here.

WHITFIELD: Yes. And I guess 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, I mean, why not brag about that being your address?

(LAUGHTER)

LOTHIAN: That's right. It's pretty nice. You know? Why head back to Chicago? Enjoy it all.

WHITFIELD: Great. Pretty cool digs. All right. Thanks so much, Dan Lothian. Have a great Thanksgiving Day.

All right, President Obama, well, of course he's ready to lay out his new Afghanistan strategy during an address at West Point. That comes Tuesday night. He is expected to announce how many more U.S. troops are being added to the fight.

CNN's Elaine Quijano is live at the Pentagon this morning.

So, Elaine, we are learning some new details about the military's plans, but what more can you tell us?

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Fredricka. Well, we now know that the first wave of additional forces to Afghanistan is set to deploy in late December. That's according to a U.S. military official.

CNN has learned that shortly after President Obama announces his Afghanistan decision on Tuesday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates is set to receive some paperwork to deploy some 1,000 Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and Fredricka, those Marines will be the first, really, of the roughly 34,000 troops that are eventually expected to be sent to Afghanistan -- Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: And it takes time, of course, to launch those 34,000 troops. What do we know about the time line?

QUIJANO: It does take time, Fredricka. One of the challenges, really, in Afghanistan is just the punishing conditions that exist there. It's very remote terrain. There's not a lot of roads, not a lot of infrastructure in place, so the military relies, really, on these helicopters to move both people around and equipment as well.

On top of that, Fredricka, you've also got brutal winters in Afghanistan. So you combine all of those factors together and really it's going to take months for all of those thousands of troops to get on the ground there -- Fredericka.

WHITFIELD: And then, of course, once in place, bad weather or not, what might be the priorities for the troops once they arrive?

QUIJANO: Well, analysts say priority one is going to be securing these population centers. Really going to these areas that have been Taliban strongholds and trying to retake them.

They say so a lot of the attention is going to be focused on the south and the east parts of Afghanistan, places like the city of Kandahar, really, which has been a Taliban stronghold.

That's going to be, certainly, a main focus. But at the same time, analysts are also saying a top priority is going to be training these Afghan security forces. And we know now from officials, that that particular issue has been a main focus of those White House strategy sessions, Fredricka, and the idea really being, trying to ramp up all of that training so that Afghans themselves can one day take over security responsibilities -- Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: Elaine Quijano, thanks so much, at the Pentagon.

All right. CNN, Tuesday night, of course, that's what you want to mark your calendar with. President Obama announcing his decision on U.S. troops heading to Afghanistan. Our special coverage with the best political team on television begins Tuesday night, 7:00 p.m. Eastern.

All right. Let's check in with our weather picture.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: All right, on to New York right now, a cherished holiday tradition, it's just now getting under way. For the 82nd year, thousands of people are lining up the streets to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. And with the perfect vantage point, our own Deborah Feyerick.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Fredricka, as a matter of fact, you can see the parade has started. The floats coming down Central Park West. People on stilts, colors everywhere you look. You can make out Kermit the Frog, the Energizer Bunny, the turkey just behind there.

People lining the parade routes. If we take a look up in some of the windows, you may be able to make out people hanging out. That's the famous Dakota Building there where John Lennon used to live.

Again, all of these people who have come out to celebrate their day. Where are you guys from?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ashford Ham, Massachusetts.

FEYERICK: Yonkers.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yonkers!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yonkers.

FEYERICK: Where are you from?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: South Carolina.

FEYERICK: Is this your first parade?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: First parade.

FEYERICK: What do you think of it?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Fantastic.

FEYERICK: What stands out in your mind?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All of it. I love it.

FEYERICK: It's just everything.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love it. This is my first visit.

FEYERICK: Well, welcome to New York. We're glad to have you. Where are you guys from?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm Bellhorn in Westchester.

FEYERICK: It's amazing just how many people have come out here. When you ask even the people who are in the parade, London, St. Louis, Atlanta, all around the country, all around the world. Everybody's celebrating, giving thanks today -- Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: All right. We love that. Thanks so much, Deb. We'll check back with you throughout the morning. The parade just getting under way. Huge turnout there, as you see, and pretty nice day, as we heard from Reynolds. A nice temperament there. Weather. We'll check back with you, Deb Feyerick there in Manhattan.

Hard to believe it was one year ago that Americans watched as a four-day siege of terror unfolded halfway around the world. We'll revisit the attacks that became known as India's 9/11.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAJ. JOHN MOSTELLAR, U.S. ARMY: Hi. I'm Major John Mostellar at COB Speicher in Iraq. And I want to send a special holiday greetings, happy Thanksgiving to my parents and all my family and friends living in St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida. I love you all.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. In the city once known as Bombay today, a grim remembrance of what has become known as India's 9/11. One year ago today, gun-wielding commandos unleashed a four-day siege in Mumbai. The attacks left more than 160 people dead.

On to the Philippines now a politician suspected in Monday's massacre of almost 60 unarmed civilians actually surrendered today. The dead included a convoy of lawyers, journalists, and family members of a rival politician.

The suspect is a mayor and son of a provincial governor. He faces multiple murder charges. State media report five other people allegedly linked to the massacre are actually being prosecuted.

And a Thanksgiving away from home and in the war zone. We'll visit with U.S. troops far from home.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAPT. KEN SULLIVAN, U.S. ARMY: This is Captain Ken Sullivan, Baghdad, Iraq. Want to say Happy Thanksgiving to my family in Colorado Springs and happy birthday to my girls.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: It has been one year since Mumbai's 9/11 attacks. 160 people died. Our Susan -- our Sara Sidner, rather, was there in Mumbai at the beginning of the attacks as they unfolded. And I remember, you and I were actually on the air together, Sara, as you played out exactly what was taking place there with these commandos takes over these hotels there and really wreaking havoc. So how are people marking the anniversary there today?

SARA SIDNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, right now, the invitation- only ceremony, the official ceremony, is under way. And what you're hearing are different people from different faiths expressing their prayers and expressing their sorrow and solidarity with those families of victims who lost their lives during the attacks. Some 160 people died during those three days.

Now they're having it in a very significant place. It's taking place right in front of the gateway of India here in Mumbai, which is also beside the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower. Now you'll remember, after the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, that is where the siege lasted the longest.

It was 60 hours that people had to deal with this inside that hotel. It included hundreds of guests who were stuck inside that hotel, as well as the employees. And many people died that day inside the hotel.

So right now, inside the hotel, a very solemn ceremony. They are remembering the victims, some of the family members of those victims are inside including, of course, some of the family of the staff that died that day.

A very difficult time for Mumbai back then, but Mumbai is also trying to show the world that it has come together and that it is going to fight this from ever happening again and that they are a people that can really come together from no matter what walk of life or faith that they believe in.

I should also mention, too, that the official ceremony is one thing, but hundreds of people have been gathering here throughout the day, really, for hours. Just regular old Mumbiers (ph) who have come out because they experienced this and they wanted to come and chant on their own.

They've been tying little ribbons, for example, and putting out candles for the victims and they're just here to take part anyway they can, even if they don't have one of those official invitations -- Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: Sara Sidner in Mumbai, thanks so much for that update. Appreciate it.

Let's look at some other stories that are topping our news right now. Autopsies will be done today on four people found dead in a home near Chicago. Police say shell casings were found around the bodies. They believe all four are members of the family that lived in the house in Addison, Illinois. Police had to break into the house after receiving a 911 call.

And dozens of rescuers were unable to help a man stuck upside down in a cave. It happened about 80 miles outside Salt Lake City, Utah. The man was wedged into an 18-inch by 10-inch hole deep in the cave. He was there for about 28 hours. As many as 50 people were working to free him when he died. Crews are trying to get to the body still this morning.

And retailers are counting on crowds for Black Friday in Elk Grove, California. Some people are already lining up for deals. About a dozen of them, in fact, camping out already. They're giving out Thanksgiving dinner so that they can be first in line come tomorrow. Doors at that store don't open until 5:00 a.m. Friday.

Thanksgiving in the war zone for some 70,000 U.S. troops now serving in Afghanistan. The day comes with some festivities and many reminders of just how far from home they really are. CNN's Frederik Pleitgen is at a U.S. military base in Kandahar. Fred?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka. Yes, exceptionally far from home. I took a helicopter tour today of almost the entire battlefield here in southern Afghanistan. We were on a chopper for about six hours, doing what the troops call turkey drops.

What they do is they load up, I would say about -- meals for about 400 to 500 guys on several helicopters, Chinook helicopters, and then take off into the battle fields. And what they're trying to do is they're trying to make sure that everybody who's here in Afghanistan, even in the most remote combat outposts, is able to have a Thanksgiving meal.

I can tell you one thing, the troops that are getting these meals were very, very happy about all of that. I talked to some of them. I was at one combat outpost, which is actually a really sad story. They lost 21 guys in the past six months and they said this was such a boost of morale, just to get that food over there, so certainly those turkey drops are very much appreciated.

And I can tell you, the soldiers here are working very, very hard to make their Thanksgiving really somewhat of a holiday even under these very, very difficult conditions that so many soldiers here in Afghanistan face.

And of course, as you know, the insurgency here is still gaining ground, still red hot, and this is, in fact, one of the most dangerous places in all of Afghanistan -- Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: All right. Frederik Pleitgen, thanks so much, in Kandahar. And again, it's Tuesday evening at West Point that President Obama will be making comments about U.S. troop deployments to Afghanistan.

Meantime, Thanksgiving Day, we know it's tough for a lot of our military men and women serving overseas. We're actually going to be meeting up with a father and daughter who are spending the day together at a military base in Iraq.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: Live in the CNN NEWSROOM, Fredricka Whitfield.

WHITFIELD: Kenneth Chancey is a high school honor student, plays on the football team, is study body president, and oh, yes, he's homeless. We did a story on him which caught the interest of an NFL star and CNN's Thelma Gutierrez picks it up from there.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He's the highest paid defensive back in NFL history. And he's about to give this teenager the surprise of his life.

(on camera): When we first aired your story, so many people wanted to help you.

KENNETH CHANCEY, HIGH SCHOOL HONOR STUDENT: Yes.

GUTIERREZ: But there was one person in particular who came forward who wanted to meet you. Do you have any idea who it is?

CHANCEY: No. I keep on hearing.

GUTIERREZ (voice-over): We met Kenneth Chancy and his little sister, Stephanie, earlier this year.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm going to [bleep] you up. [ bleep ] you!

GUTIERREZ: They lived on skid row in a shelter in downtown Los Angeles, where life is uncensored, but a step up from what it used to be.

CHANCEY: I lived in a van. Let's see, my mom used drugs. My step dad used to hit me.

GUTIERREZ: What makes Kenneth's story so extraordinary is that this homeless teenager is president of his high school. He's a straight "A" honor student and an athlete.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He has proven he is up there with the rest of the top corners in the NFL. And he might just be the best.

GUTIERREZ: Kenneth is a starting running back at Helen Bernstein High School. He's going to college.

(on camera): Give me a list of the top schools. Where do you want to go to college?

CHANCEY: Harvard's still on top.

GUTIERREZ (voice-over): From skid row to Harvard. Lofty ambitions that moved this NFL star to ask us to arrange a meeting.

(on camera): This is Nnamdi Asomugha. He's with the Oakland Raiders.

CHANCEY: Yes (INAUDIBLE) awesome. They were just talking about - the coach was talking about you yesterday.

GUTIERREZ: What was the reason that you wanted to be here to meet Kenneth?

NNAMDI ASOMUGHA, OAKLAND RAIDER CORNERBACK: Well, we saw the story, you know, on CNN and you know, I was just blown away by it. Just your drive and everything you were trying to do and you were playing football and all that kind of stuff. So I was relating, you know, a little bit to that. So I said, there's got to be some way that I can, you know, get in touch with him.

GUTIERREZ (voice-over): Number 21, Nnamdi Asomugha is an all all-pro cornerback with the Oakland Raiders. At 28, he has his own foundation, the Asomugha College Tour for Scholars.

(on camera): This is a serious student, right?

ASOMUGHA: Yes.

GUTIERREZ: Does he qualify for your tour?

ASOMUGHA: Absolutely. He might over qualify for the tour.

GUTIERREZ (voice-over): Each year Asomugha hand picks a group of inner city school high school students and takes them on a week-long all-expense paid trip to visit different universities.

(on camera): Education's number one for your families, and I understand, with all due respect, I do understand you're the least educated in your family.

ASOMUGHA: I am. Yes. Because I have one degree.

GUTIERREZ (voice-over): Asomugha's mother has a PhD. His sister is a pediatrician. His other two siblings have graduate degrees. Nnamdi only has one. A degree in finance from U.C. Berkeley.

CHANCEY: And then we have my dad, Gordon Castelo (ph) here.

GUTIERREZ: The next college tour for Asomugha's kids, Washington, D.C..

ASOMUGHA: I knew how much you were a big fan of school and education and that stuff, so I wanted to invite you along for the tour.

CHANCEY: Oh, are you serious!

ASOMUGHA: Yes.

CHANCEY: Oh, my god!

GUTIERREZ (on camera): So what's in store for Washington?

ASOMUGHA: You know who we're working on now?

CHANCEY: Obama?

ASOMUGHA: We have to.

CHANCEY: Oh, my god!

GUTIERREZ (voice-over): This spring, the NFL star will take Kenneth into the heart of the nation's capital.

ASOMUGHA: My pitch to you, President Obama, please give us some time while we're in D.C., these kids will go crazy if they meet you. You'll inspire them.

GUTIERREZ: But first, Kenneth takes the Oakland Raider on a tour of his own to skid row, in downtown Los Angeles, where he lived.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: But wait, there is more. You don't want to miss it, right after this.

And then there's this, right now on the East Coast, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade under way in Manhattan. The holiday tradition looks a little different this year. Do you notice? For the first time in its 82-year history, the parade route will bypass Broadway. It will have turned around five corners actually, and that could present some pretty tricky challenges to the balloon handlers. And by the way, there will be 31 balloons, including the grand daddy of them all, Flying Ace Snoopy is making a record 34th appearance.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: With just a flick of the wrist and a click of the mouse, you can save hundreds of dollars on your holiday shopping. Here to show you all the secrets of online coupon clipping, Alexis Caldwell. She's an account specialist at promotionalcodes.com and joins us live from Los Angeles.

Good to see you, Alexis.

ALEXIS CALDWELL, ACCOUNT SPECIALIST, PROMOTIONALCODES.COM: Hi, happy Thanksgiving.

WHITFIELD: Happy Thanksgiving to you! Folks cannot way to buy, especially on Black Friday. But they don't want to actually spend a whole lot, and you say there are thousands upon thousands of coupons out there that you can take advantage of and you can do it online. You don't necessarily have to look at the newspapers and clip coupons anymore. You can do it online. How? Get us started.

CALDWELL: Absolutely. Online coupons can save you a lot more than traditional newspaper grocery coupons, 10 cents there, 50 cents there. You can save 20, 30, 40, even 50 percent off purchases with online coupons if you know where to find them, know where to look, and know how to use them.

WHITFIELD: That's the key. You've got to know where to find them. It doesn't necessarily mean going to the store website of your choice, but there are other places that are going to tell you about these deep discounts, these $10, $20, $50 coupons, as you mentioned.

CALDWELL: Absolutely. There are special websites that collect all these coupons and deals and...

WHITFIELD: Where, where, where? Tell me.

CALDWELL: Promotionalcodes.com is a great one. Another one I really, really like that's organized very well, couponwinner.com. And these sites are really the holy grail of online shopping. They have all the deals and discounts in one place, so it's literally one-stop shopping. You find the retailer that you're shopping for. You can view all of the coupons in one place, pick out the one that's the best deal for you, find a free shipping coupon if you need it and apply them to your purchase.

WHITFIELD: OK, so I know people are taking copious notes now, or perhaps they want to but they had to find that pencil or pen. So couponwinner.com, promotionalcodes.com, and then there's discountcodes.com. What's the advantage, you know, one over the other?

CALDWELL: Well, all of the sites are really great. Promotionalcodes.com is really cool because other users can comment on codes and rate codes and even enter some of their own that they've found. So in addition to the codes that are provided directly by the retail stores to the website, you can also get some insider secret codes that maybe aren't always quite as reliable, but oftentimes they really will work and save you extra money too. It's great to see the feedback.

WHITFIELD: And in some cases, you say, you can actually stack the coupons, meaning you can use more than one coupon at a time for a singular purchase?

CALDWELL: Yes. Actually, that is a great online shopping tip, especially for this weekend, a lot of retailers are now allowing you to combine coupons for maximum savings. So you can take a 25 percent off coupon and combine it with a promotional code for free shipping, thus maximizing your savings. Dell is a great example of a store that allows you to do that.

And also now, a lot of retailers are creating a single coupon code that combines the sitewide savings or the product discount for 30 percent with free shipping, so it's just a single code that you need; simple.

WHITFIELD: So these are all the things to do and these are the great things that happen if you get it right. But sometimes there are some mistakes. What are the common mistakes in your view?

CALDWELL: Definitely don't make a purchase using your credit card online without looking for a promotional code or coupon first. Really, there are coupons available for almost anything you can use your credit card for.

Also, another big mistake that people make is not shopping around and being stuck on a particular retailer or a particular brand. Definitely compare prices. That's why online shopping is so convenient and so much more affordable, because if you're, for example, looking for an iPod, rather than just purchasing from a particular retailer, you can see iPods available at hundreds of different retailers.

WHITFIELD: And you don't have to stand in line.

CALDWELL: And get all the available coupons.

WHITFIELD: You don't have to stand in line, don't have to set your alarm clock for 3:00 a.m., 4:00 a.m., to get those early bird special.

Alexis Caldwell, promotionalcodes.com, thanks so much. And thanks for the tips on saving some money. Happy Thanksgiving.

CALDWELL: Likewise. Happy Thanksgiving.

WHITFIELD: Thank you.

All right. A family Thanksgiving in the middle of a war zone. We'll meet a father and daughter spending today together on a U.S. military base in Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAJOR BRET FEDDERSON: Hello. I'm Major Bret Feddersen with second 104th Aviation Task Force Diablo in Camp Attar (ph) Iraq. I'd like to say happy thanksgiving to my wife, Julie, my two boys, Alec and Thomas, and all my friends and family in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Take care.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: A look at our top stories right now. U.S. Secret Service investigators are looking into a security breach at the White House. The agency confirms this couple right here, without invitations, actually crashed Tuesday night's state dinner. Officials say the couple did go through all security screenings. The couple posted pictures of themselves from the event on their Facebook page. A woman who identified herself as the couple's publicist tells CNN that they had full clearance to attend the dinner.

Combating global warming. China and the U.S. will take part in a major U.N. climate summit next month in Denmark. The White House announced President Obama's plans to attend yesterday. Both countries have set goals to reduce greenhouse gases. The main focus of the summit is to produce a new global climate change treaty.

Roman Polanski could be out of jail soon. He's in Switzerland right now, awaiting possible extradition to the U.S. in a sex case. A judge has agreed to release the famed director on $4.5 million bail; he would remain under house arrest. In 1977, Polanski pleaded guilty to having sex with a 13-year-old girl here in the U.S.

Hundreds of thousands of American troops are spending this thanksgiving away from home. So sure, they still eat turkey and stuffing and pumpkin pie, but it doesn't taste the same without family around, right? Well, our next guest will spend today with family, even if it means being on an Army base in Iraq.

Command Sergeant Major David Crotteau joins us live from Basra and right next to him is his daughter, Private First Class Jackie Crotteau.

Good to see both of you. Happy Thanksgiving. COMMAND SGT. MAJOR DAVID CROTTEAU, U.S. ARMY: Happy Thanksgiving.

PFC. JACKI CROTTEAU, U.S. ARMY: Happy Thanksgiving to you too.

WHITFIELD: Well, this is wonderful that you are able to be together, even though maybe you'll probably want to be back state side. But give me an idea how comforting it is to have each other while in Basra.

D. CROTTEAU: It's pretty amazing to have her here with me. I never thought that years ago that my daughter would be in the service, serving her country, so it's pretty amazing for he to have her here.

WHITFIELD: And you know Major, you're a 30-year vet. You've spent lots of holidays, I'm sure, away from home. When you knew that your daughter was going to be there, did you feel that this was very comforting? Did you feel like you were going to be able to -- I guess, help her or through what traditionally can be a tough holiday away from home?

D. CROTTEAU: I'm sorry?

WHITFIELD: Did you help out your daughter? Did you helped out your daughter to kind of prepare her, what it would be like to spend the holiday away from home?

CROTTEAU: Yes. We've talked a lot about it. It's tough for both of us, but I think it's harder for her, her first time away from home and all so.

WHITFIELD: OK, Private First Class, give me an idea - give me an idea what this holiday is like, how comforting it is to have dad by your side.

J. CROTTEAU: It's definitely made it a lot easier. I mean, like you said, this is the first time I've really been away from home, especially for the holidays and it easier knowing that I'm not alone in this. I mean, obviously, there are a bunch of people that are away from home right now, so it's nice to seek comfort from someone else.

WHITFIELD: Oh, well, you all are in chow hall right there in Basra and, you know, I imagine a lot of guys and gals there might be talking about home or what it feels like this Thanksgiving. Because you all are, you know, a family unit, how might you be able to help some of the others who are a bit homesick, Major?

J. CROTTEAU: I'm sorry, what's that?

WHITFIELD: Are you able to kind of help some of your fellow comrades there who are a bit homesick given that you and dad are together?

J. CROTTEAU: Oh, you know what, it doesn't even -- just us being together doesn't make a difference, because as a whole unit, we kind of make our own family. D. CROTTEAU: Yes. We have a military family here as well, also.

WHITFIELD: Oh, fantastic.

J. CROTTEAU: I think you can find that wherever you go.

WHITFIELD: Well, great. Well, I'm glad you all are together there and I know you are offering a bit of inspiration to a lot of your other comrades there.

Private First Class Jacki Crotteau and Sergeant Major David Crotteau, thanks so much. Happy Thanksgiving.

J. CROTTEAU: Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving to you too.

D. CROTTEAU: Well, thank you.

WHITFIELD: And thanks so much for your service.

D. CROTTEAU: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Well, a year after the tragic attack, remembering the victims in Mumbai, India. Survivors are rebuilding their lives.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: People in Mumbai, India, are pausing to remember the terrorist attacks on their city. They're marking the one-year anniversary with candlelight vigils, services, and a police march.

Ten gunmen launched coordinated attacks on several sites including luxury hotels there. More than 160 people were killed including nine of the gunmen.

Many people remember all of this as if it were yesterday because it unfolded during live television. But there are also some happy moments to tell you about in the life of a 3-year-old boy that you probably remember as well.

Our Josh Levs is here...

JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes.

WHITFIELD: ... to show us and tell us all about him.

LEVS: Yes, Fred, I'm going to tell you. First of all, we'll set the scene again for those who don't remember. This was when the attackers hit several locations popular with tourists including the popular luxury hotel, the Taj Mahal. And this here is just some of the damage that we saw just after that. And we know more than 160 victims in these attacks plus nine attackers were killed.

At CNN.com we have a special section that talks all about these attacks and as a way of bringing you inside what happened at the time we have this interactive tool. Let's zoom through here. You can actually see the various locations that were involved and affected that day. You can hear stories from those who were there.

We also show you some of these victims, who they were. You can learn a little bit about them. For example, here we'll zoom in on this picture here at a vigil. This is Sanjay and Rita Agarwal who were killed and you'll also see a banner here for some commandos who have been killed. This here is a Mumbai slain terror chief, Hemant Karkare.

And this is a woman we in the NEWSROOM know pretty well, Kia Scherr, whose husband Allan and their daughter Naomi were killed. Kia went on to co-found this, the One Life Alliance which is about celebrating life and sacredness of life and achieving forgiveness.

Now, let's talk about this. A lot of you will remember a 3-year- old boy. We recall that the terrorists attack at Chabad House there killed the parents of this boy. They were Rabi Gavriel and his wife Rifga Holtzberg. Well, their son's nanny managed to get him out, she's saved him. And now, he's in Israel celebrating this.

This is his third birthday. This is an event at which he's officially ushered into the World of Jewish Religious Study in Israel. There is the nanny who's with him. His grandparents are raising him along with her, Sandra Samuel, and we can see it was a celebration there.

We also have this video of him playing outside with his nanny with Sandra and she says that Moshe (ph), little Moshe there, has adjusted well in Israel, has a normal life and a lot of friends. But so -- amid the horror of what we reported on, this is a beautiful thing to see.

WHITFIELD: That's an extraordinary story. And what an extraordinary nanny who cared for him and protected him like that and now has also relocated to Israel and continues to help raise as you say Moshe with the grandparents.

LEVS: That's right.

WHITFIELD: An extraordinary survival story.

LEVS: It's a beautiful thing. And it's great to see that he has people who are there with him for all of his loss that they're with him.

I'll just show you quick of the graphic. Because there's a link for all of this at CNN.com/Josh it's up on the blog and also Facebook and Twitter, JoshLevsCNN. You can take a look at more information about him and more information about everything that happened including the latest in the investigation which is still going on -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Josh Levs, thank you.

LEVS: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Of course, we have a lot on our plate this Thanksgiving morning. And CNN crews are in place to bring you all the details. Let's check in with our correspondent beginning with Elaine Quijano at the Pentagon -- Elaine.

QUIJANO: Well Fredricka, as President Obama gets ready to announce his Afghanistan decision next week, we're learning more about the military's plans. I'll have details coming up.

FEYERICK: Hey, Fredricka, this is Buzz Lightyear just passed us here a couple of minutes ago; a lot of energy here in the crowd. And I'm telling you, these people are walking really quickly. The parade route is about half a mile longer and Santa Claus has got to get to Macy's on time.

That's why these folks are walking so quickly. Just take a look up here in the windows. Actually, you can see all of the kids up there in the windows waving there; people down in the crowd. So you've got many layers to this particular parade.

What's fascinating is the balloons are flying at their total height of 40 feet. And some folks who are here -- let's say hello.

These guys crossed over the river from Jersey actually. Now, what's your favorite part?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Santa Claus. It's all about Santa Claus.

FEYERICK: He's got a new sleigh, you know.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I heard that he did, it's a hybrid I understand.

FEYERICK: It's a hybrid cash for clunkers. Absolutely, all right well, any way Fredricka we're having a great time this is for you and have a great Thanksgiving.

WHITFIELD: Oh, I love and I noticed that confetti in your hair, that's a lot of fun.

REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: OK and the weather uphill is pretty good along the parade route. Great for Buzz Lightyear and all spectators but for those who want to know what to expect weather-wise around the rest of the nation, I'll have that coming up in just a few moments. There's no turkey.

WHITFIELD: I love it. Thank you so much everybody.

Straight ahead, it's the season for giving and sharing and suing; an author looks at the legal minefield of the holiday season.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Tonight is the night that CNN honors ten remarkable people; ten people who are changing the world around them. Anderson Cooper hosts this special night from the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. The day before the celebration he actually took us backstage for a look at how a show like this actually gets pulled together.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST, CNN HEROES: Hey. Welcome to the Kodak Theater. We're rehearsing for HEROES, just getting ready the day before the big event.

You can see on stage, they're getting ready for one of the musical performers to practice. We've got some great musical performances lined up. We also try to figure out camera angles for all; there's a lot of different cameras in here.

So there's actually cards in all the seats for the different people who are going to be sitting here. Like this where Neil Patrick Harris, who's presenting, is going to be. They won't actually look like this; they'll actually be the actual person, not just a picture of them.

But the heroes have just arrived here. They just got into town yesterday so let's go and meet them. I haven't met them yet, so we're going to say hi.

Hey guys.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey.

COOPER: How are you? How are you? So nice to meet you I'm Anderson. How are you?

JORGE MUNOZ: Hi. how are you I'm Jorge.

COOPER: How is it going? I know, nice to meet you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've seen you on TV.

COOPER: Oh yes. I've seen you on TV as well. How are you?

Have you been inside the theater yet? All right, well, that will make you nervous, actually. I'm not going to lie about that.

We talked to some of the presenters to find out why they wanted to be here tonight.

GREG KINNEAR, ACTOR: Anderson Cooper threatened me personally to show up here or there'll be trouble, something like that.

The idea that -- is a very simple one. I mean, to thank people that have done amazing things and honor them in this forum is kind of exciting.

PIERCE BROSNAN, ACTOR: This whole show is inspirational. I saw it last year and I was just inspired, touched, moved.

COOPER: It takes an army to put HEROES into motion and this is the guy who is commanding the troops, Joel Gallen; he's the executive producer and he's also the director. JOEL GALLEN, PRODUCER & DIRECTOR, CNN HEROES: We're here for our third year doing the broadcast of probably the most important show I produce. I think we have a very special show. I think this is going to be our best one of the three.

We have Leona Lewis, we have Carrie Underwood and we have Maxwell all singing songs that are themed around sort of the message of this show, helping people changing the world.

COOPER: As you can see, there are many people here who are making this special evening possible. All of us are working to help celebrate the lives of everyday people who are making extraordinary differences in the world. Join us as we honor them this Thanksgiving night.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: You do not want miss this. And you will be inspired. Be sure to watch "CNN HEROES: AN ALL STAR TRIBUTE" tonight at 9:00 Eastern and Pacific.

Thanksgiving with the Obamas: today the first family will celebrate the holiday at the White House. Yesterday the entire family including the president's mother-in-law volunteered at a Washington food pantry. They helped assemble meals complete with frozen turkeys and pumpkin pies, of course.