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Obama Speaks To Oklahoma Residents; Do Attacks in Great Britain and France Signal New Kind Of Terrorism?; Two Women Die in Texas Flooding; Cloudy Skies In San Antonio Today; The Terrifying Sounds Of A Tornado; Graduating Days After Disaster; Living With Face Blindness; Drawn Together By Tragedy

Aired May 26, 2013 - 13:57   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. I'm Fredricka Whitfield in Atlanta. We want to take you straight to Moore, Oklahoma, where the president of the United States there has been surveying the damage. Let's listen in to what he has to say.

(BEGIN LIVE SPEECH COVERAGE - IN PROGRESS)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: -- the people of Moore and people of Oklahoma have been dealing with over these last several days.

There are a couple of acknowledgments I want to make, but let me begin by just saying that whenever I come to an area that has been devastated by some natural disaster like this, I want to make sure everyone understands I'm speaking on behalf of the entire country everywhere. Fellow Americans are praying with you, they're thinking about you. And they want to help. And so I'm just a messenger here today, letting everyone here know you're not alone, that you've got folks behind you.

Obviously, the damage here is pretty hard to comprehend. Our hearts going out to the families who have been impacted, including those who have had loved ones who were lost. And that was true for the parents of some of the children here at Plaza Towers Elementary School.

There are a number of people I want to especially thank because they have engaged in some heroic efforts in dealing with this disaster. First of all, Governor Mary Fallin, thank you so much for your quick response and your outstanding work. Mayor Glenn Lewis, the mayor of Moore, who has been mayor here before when there was a disaster. And because of his strong spirit and sense of community, has been able to help lead the community through the disaster. We very much appreciate your work. Representative Tom Cole, not only is this his congressional district, but more importantly, this is his hometown. And so, for him, this carries a special sadness, but also a resolve in terms of trying to make sure that the city of Moore bounces back.

Mayor Mick Cornett, Oklahoma City, a neighbor and friend. We appreciate him being here. Craig Fugate is here. And obviously, we're very proud of the work that he and his FEMA team have done. Suzy Pierce, superintendent of schools here, thank you for your leadership. Amy Simpson, I want to especially commend, Plaza Towers Elementary School principal, as well as Shelly McMillan of the Briarwood Elementary School principal. They were on the ground when this happened, and because of their quick response, their keeping a level head, their putting kids first, saved a lot of people. And they're still going through some tough times. You know, I can only imagine being their husbands who are here, and the panic that I'm sure they were feeling when the tornado first struck. But I know that they could not be prouder of their wives for the outstanding work they did in this amazing situation.

I want to thank chief of police Jerry Stillings and all of the first responders in this area who were some of the first folks on the scene, who were putting themselves at risk to save other people's lives. That's what first responders do, but sometimes we take them for granted. And it's important that we don't, and we remember moments like this. That's why it's so important that we continually support them.

At my direction, Craig Fugate arrived here on Tuesday. FEMA was on the ground even before Monday's tornado hit. And their teams have now completed searches of more than 1,200 buildings. We have helped to register more than 4,200 people for disaster assistance, and we have approved more than 3.4 million dollars in direct aid. Obviously, there's a lot more to come.

But it's not just a government response. We have seen an incredible outpouring of support from churches, from community groups who are helping folks begin to recover. This area has known more than its share of heartbreak, but people here pride themselves on the Oklahoma standard. You know, what Governor Fallin has called being able to work through disasters like this and come out stronger on the other side. That's what we have been seeing this week. From the forecasters to issued the warnings to the first responders who dug through the rubble to the teachers who shielded with their own bodies their students., Oklahomans have inspired us with their love and their courage and their fellowship. Neighbors have been offering up spare bedrooms and couches for those in need of shelter. Universities have opened up their buildings for temporary housing, and local companies have pitched in.

So this is a strong community with strong character. There's no doubt they're going to bounce back, but they need help, just like any of us would need help if we saw the kind of devastation that we're seeing here. We have about 1,200 homes that have been completely destroyed, but we have 12,000 that have been damaged in one way or another. And that's a big piece of business. Along with the schools, we have a hospital that has been destroyed. It's going to take a long time for this community to rebuild.

So I want to urge every American to step up. If I have got one message for folks here today, go online, donate to the American Red Cross. And if you're from the area and you need to register for disaster assistance, you can call 1-800-621-FEMA. That's 1-800-621- FEMA. Or you can go to disasterassistance.gov. Disasterassistance.gov on the Web. Either way, I guarantee you, if you've got some significant damage and have been impacted, go ahead and reach out. And they're going to be professionals there who are ready and willing to provide you the assistance you need. We know Moore is going to come back stronger from this tragedy. Your mayor said that you're already printing new street signs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE; Yes, sir.

OBAMA: And I want folks affected throughout Oklahoma to know that we're going to be with you every step of the way.

On Sunday, the first deadly tornadoes touched down about 40 miles from here, and I mentioned this the day afterwards, there was a story that really struck me in the press. In the rubble was found a Bible open to the words that read, "A man will be as a hiding place from the wind and a cover from the tempest." And that is a reminder, as Scripture often is, that God has a plan. And it's important, though, that we also recognize we're an instrument of his will. And we need to know that as fellow Americans, we're going to be there as shelter from the storm for the people of Moore who have been impacted.

And when we say that we've got your back, I promise you that we keep our word. If you talk to folks in Alabama who have been affected over the last couple years, you talk to the folks of Joplin who I know have actually sent volunteers down here to Moore, if you talk to folks in New Jersey and New York, they'll tell you that when we say we're going to be there until you completely rebuild, we mean it. And I want everybody to have that confidence.

So again, to all of the people here behind me, I want to say how proud I am of them, how grateful I am for their service.

I want to make one final comment. A lot of the first responders talked about the training they have done in part through some federal grants to prepare for disasters like this. As a consequence, when it actually happens, they know what to do. They're not losing time. They're able to go through all of the drills and the training that they have gone through. Training, education, both for citizenry, but also for first responders is absolutely critical. And we've got to make sure those resources remain in place. So, I know everybody in Congress cares deeply about what is happening, and I'm confident resources will be forthcoming when it comes to rebuilding. But remember it's also the ongoing training and equipment that we're making sure that those things are placed; we can't short-change that kind of ongoing disaster response. We can't just wait until the disaster happens. That's how in part we're able to save a lot of lives. And I want everybody to keep that in mind.

So with that, let me just again say thank you to everyone here. Madam Governor, thank you for your leadership, and may God bless the people of Oklahoma and obviously continue to bless the United States of America. Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right, President Barack Obama there shaking hands with governor Mary Fallin there. They are at Park Towers Elementary (sic). That is the elementary school, one of the schools hit very hard. Took a direct hit from the monster tornado that struck six days ago last Monday there, ripping through the heart of Moore, Oklahoma. The president there vowing to continue to be committed on a federal level to the folks in Moore, Oklahoma. Just as he cited the examples as this administration has done for Joplin, Missouri, and for the victims of the New Jersey/New York areas after Superstorm Sandy.

We have live team coverage of the president's visit there to Moore, Oklahoma. This school was devastated not just structurally, but there was a giant loss of life as well with school kids. But the president there, also praising the teachers who put the kids first. In all, 24 people were killed through this tornado, 10of which were children, many that were right in school.

All right, Athena Jones, George Howell, both with us. George Howell there in Oklahoma. Athena Jones at the White House. Athena, let's begin with you. The president making his visit there, making the commitment, and also asking people to do what they can, whether it be by way of donations or perhaps even help out to the folks there in Moore, Oklahoma. What else is on his agenda there as he visits the folks of Moore?

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Fred. Well, first among the goals for the president is to be able to meet and speak with families who have been hard-hit by this tornado and also thank first responders. We heard him do that in that ten-minute speech just now.

Before arriving at Plaza Towers Elementary School, he toured the neighborhood around the school, one of the hardest hit neighborhoods in the region. And yes, you heard him talk about the federal government, making sure that community is able to recover and rebuild. He said it's going to come back stronger than it is now, but that it's going to need help.

And we also heard earlier today from the governor, Governor Mary Fallin who is there with him today, about just the massive debris field they're having to deal with. Seventeen miles long, a mile-and- a-half wide. I can tell you when the president signed the major disaster declaration on Monday, that gave the community funds in order to expedite some of that debris removal. He also assigned additional funding on Tuesday to give them more funding to help remove some of the debris and begin to put the community back on track. And so, we expect him to town to tour the area, continue to talk to the families he encounters, give them hugs, talk to teachers and students and continue to thank first responders there, Fred.

WHITFIELD: Okay, Athena. We also understand before the president actually arrived there, Air Force One did give kind of an overall view while he was on Air Force one, getting an overall view of the devastation there. We didn't hear the president directly comment on that, but this commitment from the administration, is it in any way, you know, revealing that this would be a very difficult one, task in which to deliver on, given the scale of this devastation is so fast?

JONES: Well, I think certainly it's going to be a difficult task. We heard recently from the mayor of Joplin, Missouri, which was hit by a tornado, a big tornado, just two years ago. And they're still in the process of recovering. And they have come a long way, but there's still a long way to go, as he's advised. What the president wanted to do is talk about the government's commitment, not just now, but later on. This is a point he makes often when he tours natural disaster zones. Talks about how the federal government is going to be committed when the cameras go away months down the line.

And so, everyone acknowledges here this is going to take a long time, but the president is trying to offer words of comfort and support, saying this community is going to come back stronger, and they're going to get help from the federal government and then hopefully from ordinary citizens that he's asked to contribute as well, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right, Athena Jones at the White House, thanks so much.

George Howell there in Oklahoma. So George, the president touring the hard-hit areas, the Plaza Towers school, and how about getting a chance to walk through or at least tour through some of the neighborhoods that were hardest hit?

GEORGE HOWEEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fred, absolutely. The simple fact that the president is here, people are comforted by the fact that he's at the school, that he's meeting with first responders. And also, Fred, as you mentioned, as the money is flowing, the federal assistance, it is there. And you see what's happening here right now. This is a daily occurrence. This is what happens. People are just going through all of this debris. The process right now is to move all of this stuff out of the way. That could take weeks. It could take months.

And that's really where the concern comes in, Fred, because people know they have the media attention. They have national media attention. They have a local attention here. The disaster aid is flowing. But what happens weeks down the road, what happens months down the road? Will the federal assistance be there? That's what people are asking, and you find there is some concern, some skepticism. You hear from even from officials. Will the money be there?

But the president just a few minutes ago, you heard him say, quote, "We've got your back." And he mentioned Joplin and Tuscaloosa, you remember a big storm came through there. Right now, we're talking about Moore, Oklahoma. And don't forget Shawnee, Oklahoma, just a few miles down the road. That's where an EF-4 tornado came through just a day before the destruction there. When you talk to people on the ground, that is the concern. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Now, we're just kind of getting real and starting to clean up. Starting to take the next steps.

HOWELL: Are these volunteers helping you out?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. Yes, a lot of volunteers. Thousands. Faith in humanity restored. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The attention, I think, needs to be focused on monetary and helping. The volunteers have been great everywhere, and that is what Oklahoma is about. We just get after it, and go on. Everybody needs help. Hopefully they'll get it in time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: So where are we now? We know that many of the funerals have already happened. We also know later tonight there will be a memorial service, a prayer service, really, for people to come together who have been affected, who hard-hit in this area, and obviously the cleanup will continue, Fred. It could take weeks, could take months just to get this stuff out of the way before people can start the process to decide whether to rebuild their homes, Fred.

WHITFIELD: Yes. Very big, large-scale operation. You heard the president underscoring just how many homes, 12,000 homes damaged. 1,200 homes destroyed, plus a hospital. So the cleanup is a colossal undertaking, and of course, the rebuilding is painstaking as well.

All right. Thanks so much, George Howell. Appreciate that there in Oklahoma.

All right, oversees now, another person is behind bars, suspected in the killing of that British soldier who was hacked to death in broad daylight. We'll talk to a terror expert who worries Britain could see more attacks potentially, like this one, and possibly unrest in the streets.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: In England today, the family of a murdered British soldier made an emotional visit to the spot where he was killed. Lee Rigby was stabbed to death on a London street near a military barracks last week. Two men were arrested at the scene. Since British police reopened the area to the public, thousands of people have visited the site, leaving flowers as you see there and other tributes.

And then there has been yet another attack on a soldier. This time in France. French police are searching for a man who stabbed a soldier in the neck yesterday outside Paris. And then that person fled. France's defense ministry said the suspect was looking to kill a French soldier. A 23-year-old victim is in the hospital. He is expected to recover.

So if these two attacks do prove to be terror attacks, does this signal a new type of terror threat that comes from individuals or from larger groups? I want to bring in Eric Stakelback. He's a terrorism analyst and he's joining me right now from Washington. Good to see you, Eric.

ERIC STAKELBACK, TERRORISM ANALYST: Fredricka, great to be here.

WHITFIELD: Do you think the attack in London was part of an effort by a larger group? There has been yet another arrest involved or in connection with the attack in London? Or do you believe this maybe be indicating the hallmarks of a larger group, a larger network?

STAKELBACK: So far, it's not clear if there are links to al Qaeda or a larger global movement, Fredricka. But what it looks like is a more localized cell in Great Britain. And I have to tell you, we're seeing the more and more. We saw it in France yesterday with the attack on the soldier there. What you're seeing is and kind of a self-starter jihad. You don't have to be linking to al Qaeda and Pakistan. And al Qaeda has said this on their chat rooms. Look, you can be your own one-man jihad. Act on your own. We saw it in Britain this week. We saw it in Boston a month ago, and we saw it in France yesterday.

Going back even further, Fredricka, we saw it at Fort Hood. One man, one committed jihadist can cause a lot of damage, and that is the new blueprint in the West.

WHITFIELD: So I understand it's your feeling that particularly in Great Britain, that this may be the tip of the iceberg. That there may be kind of a boiling pot that indicates more attacks or displays of rage might be on the horizon.

STAKELBACK: You know, Fredricka, I hate to say it -

WHITFIELD: Why do you believe that?

STAKELBACK: You know, I have been on the ground in London, in the real Islamist enclaves there in London. I've spent a lot of time there, I've talked to radical preachers in London face-to-face. And I can tell you, look, they mean business. They're very vocal. There's a tendency, I think, in Britain, even in the U.S., to kind of just shrug these guys off and say they're just full of bluster. They don't mean what they say. Well, they mean what they say, and they're inspiring more and more attacks. Attempting attacks.

There's been plot after plot broken up in Great Britain over the past several years. So, there's plots going on. They're putting these plots into action, and there are a lot of Brits I have also spoken to, Fredricka, who this whole radical Islamic threat there. And I fear what is coming are culture clashes, especially if we have more attacks like we saw this week in London. Broad daylight, a British soldier hacked to death. There's been a real outrage among the average Brit, among that attack in particular.

WHITFIELD: Eric Stakelback, thanks so much for your time. Appreciate it from Washington today.

STAKELBACK: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right, President Barack Obama seeing the aftermath of that deadly Oklahoma tornado up close and personal today. And he's meeting with the victims as well. But will his role as comforter in chief distract attention away from the controversy surrounding his administration? All that straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: President Barack Obama is in Oklahoma right now, meeting with people impacted by the deadly tornado that hit six days ago. He's not only getting a first-hand look at the devastation. He's doing what only the president has the power to do, serve as consoler in chief. It takes for a moment, perhaps, the spotlight off the political storms back in Washington.

John Avlon is a CNN political analyst and writes for Newsweek and The Daily Beast, joining us. Good to see you. And Margaret Hoover is also one of our political analysts and is a Republican consultant, joining us from New York. Good to see you as well.

MARGARET HOOVER, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Hey, Fred.

WHITFIELD: How much does an appearance, a visit like this, help the president, John? Redirect the focus?

JOHN AVLON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: I do think the role of comforter in chief puts perspective on some of the petty, predictable partisan fights that preoccupy Washington. So it's a role we expect, it's a role the president frankly needs right now. But it does cast a lot of the ugliness of Washington in perspective. It's not going to take the scandals off the table entirely, but it puts them in perspective.

WHITFIELD: And so Margaret, this also puts the GOP in a rather interesting situation. Or at least, the critics of the president, members, have to be careful about being critical of the president at this time. So, instead, is the GOP trying to refocus, trying to reunite, say, on issues like the IRS or national security on the heels of what the president said?

HOOVER: Look, I think -- what he said in Oklahoma today? No, I think --

WHITFIELD: What he said previously on the issues of the IRS and on the investigations that continue to kind of cast a cloud over his administration?

HOOVER: Look, I think that's sort of a separate issue than Oklahoma entirely. And I think as long as the president is going to be comforter in chief, politics are off the table because the president has a job to do, and you see this. Whenever there's a natural disaster, politics go off the table, the president responds, whoever the president is --

WHITFIELD: Right, but the question is about the GOP. Does this give the GOP an opportunity right now to kind of come together? Because there has been so much discord within the GOP, is this an opportunity now for the GOP to say let's get together, whether it be on the issue of the IRS? Issues back in Washington still haunting the administration, whether it be national security -- based on what he said about national security and the commitments of the administration just a few days ago?

HOOVER: Yes, I think - I don't see a lot of fractures in the GOP right now. I do see part of the GOP very responsibly calling the question. And frankly, it's not just the Republican Party. I mean, you have responsible members of the House of Representatives and the Senate and both parties calling in question, holding the administration accountable in many of the scandals. And frankly, that's what divided government should do. And that's what elected legislators should do.

So, I guess I'm not seeing this as much as strictly a partisan issue or a moment to get a one-upsmanship in the horse race.

WHITFIELD: And John, on the Justice Department's investigations of the leaks, in particular - Fox now admitting it was subpoenaed three years ago in connection with its reporter, James Rosen and State Department employee, Steven Kim. This after the Associated Press had phone records and emails investigated by the DoJ. So, is this underscoring a leak problem within the administration, or an overreach problem in DoJ?

AVLON: I think it's an overreach problem in the Department of Justice. Every administration, Fred, wrestles with leaks. And when you overreach, that's when real problems occur. What happened with Jay Rosen is chilling. For a journalist to be named a co-conspirator, and having his phone records subpoenaed, that is a dangerous new precedent.

The good news is just this morning, it appears there's a bipartisan group of senators with Chuck Schumer onboard, trying to put some provisions in place that would stop this kind of thing from going on. But it is an ugly new pattern, and I got to say, the Democrats who are flexibly defending the president, if this would have happened under the Bush administration, there would be outrage, and the Republicans who are now outraged at the president might have been defending it if the president was of their party.

WHITFIELD: And quickly, Margaret, you can punch away at this. Overreach problem or leak problem?

HOOVER: I agree with John. I think this is an overreach problem entirely. I'm shocked. I agree with my husband today, but this is an overreach problem.

AVLON: That doesn't happen often.

WHITFIELD: All right. Margaret Hoover, John Avlon, thanks so much to both of you --

AVLON: Thanks, Fred.

WHITFIELD: -- joining me from New York today. Appreciate it.

All right, a search is under way right now for a boy missing in the Texas floods. We'll have details on that straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: We go now to the deadly flooding in San Antonio, Texas. This is what that area looked like yesterday. After 10 inches of rain, perhaps you were with us yesterday when we showed you those pictures live. Two women ultimately have died after being swept away by floodwaters and rescue crews are searching for a 17-year-old boy. This morning, San Antonio's mayor told CNN that the floodwaters are receding.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR JULIAN CASTRO, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (via telephone): A lot better because there wasn't much of any rain last night. At one point, late yesterday, the National Weather Service had been predicted 1 to 2 inches of rain, but that didn't happen. So today, it's looking a lot better. Most of the streets are clear with the exception of a couple of the highways that go through low water crossing areas that are still being worked on.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: So some of that water is receding, but what else is on the horizon? Karen Maginnis is with us now. Might there be better days for the folks there on that part of Texas?

KAREN MAGINNIS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, we can't totally rule out the chance of a pretty good little thunderstorm rumbling through. We were looking at this complex that was lying just to the northwest of San Antonio, but as it edged its way in along Interstate 10, we thought it would cross over San Antonio and produce another round of potentially heavy rainfall. Then it just died out right before it made its way towards the perimeter of San Antonio.

But here's kind of another interesting thing that is going on. Along this eastern access sandwiched between 35, 10, and 37, on the eastern edge of San Antonio, a couple thunderstorms erupting here. For the most part, it will be hit or miss and that's just about it. So over the next several days, we can kind of recover. Get things cleaned up and they suspect that perhaps there could be even more persons that could be discovered.

Already, the situation turned deadly with 8 inches to 10 inches of rainfall, a staggering amount that really occurred over the course of 8 hours to 10 hours. Here is that complex, if you look at the last few images. We saw this cluster of thunderstorms wind its way from San Angelo, extending its way over toward San Antonio. But then it just kind of fizzled out.

And take a look at these pictures. This is one of the Kodiaks that went out, rescuing a person who was on top of a building on a golf course, and he managed to get safely in the Kodiak and was taken away. Many roads, sections of interstates, homes were flooded, but we also have reports of extreme wind damage as well. An apartment complex also was influenced there as well. We'll have more right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Teachers have emerged as heroes all across Moore, Oklahoma, almost one week after that deadly tornado. Two at Briarwood Elementary School shielded 25 children in a bathroom, and one was able to record the chilling sound of that moment the tornado hit that school. Brian Todd has their story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): That's the sound of the terrifying moments when the tornado hit. Lynne Breton and Jessica Orr are still shaken. Their voices still quiver when they talk about it. Monday afternoon when this massive tornado struck, they huddled with 25 kids inside a bathroom at Briarwood Elementary School. Breton says she covered two kids with her body and kept thinking --

LYNNE BRETON, TEACHER, BRIARWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Don't let me die. Just don't -- let me get the babies out of here.

TODD: As the roof was torn off and the ceiling caved in on the bathroom, listen to the audio recording on Breton cell phone of horrified kids, Breton trying to reassure them.

BRETON: Stay down! Stay down! You're OK. You're OK. You're OK. You're OK. You're OK. You're OK. We're OK. We're OK. I didn't know what to tell them. I just kept telling them we're OK. My mind, I was praying.

JESSICA ORR, TEACHER, BRIARWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: I said, father, protect us. I know you're stronger than this tornado and my kids were praying. The teachers were praying and I looked Ms. Breton in the eye and we could hear a roar.

TODD: Breton teaches sixth grade at Briarwoord. Orr teaches fifth grade. The kids they were protecting, 10 or 11 years old.

(on camera): Lynne Breton says the most intense part of the experience when the tornado was at its strongest and grinding their school apart played out over the course of only about 10 minutes. Afterward, this is what was left of Briarwood Elementary School.

(voice-over): At one point, one of the kids shouted at Breton, I love you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love you! I love you!

BRETON: I love you, too! We're OK. We're OK.

TODD: Everyone survived, the teachers say. No one was hurt.

ORR: The sound, you could start to hear it go away. I thought we made it. We made it. Thank you, God.

TODD: Lynne Breton says the advice she would give to other teachers for a situation like that, count your kids, know who you have and stay calm although she says that is next to impossible. Brian Todd, CNN, Moore, Oklahoma.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Incredible. Well, the students who made it through that tornado also have so many other heartbreaking stories. But for a moment this weekend, graduates of three high school graduations tried to focus on their lives after the storm. The valedictorian of Southmoore High, who rode out the storm in a closet, shared these inspiring words.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NIH NAI, VALEDICTORIAN, SOUTHMOORE HIGH SCHOOL: We're damaged, but we survived. We're hurt, but we are resilient. We're graduating, but we are not done with our successes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: I'm joined now by the superintendent of the State Department of Education, Janet Barissi and also Jake Spradling who graduated from Southmoore High School yesterday. Good to see both of you. First off, Jake, congratulations to you. How does today feel?

JAKE SPRADLING, GRADUATED YESTERDAY FROM SOUTHMOORE HIGH SCHOOL: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: How are you feeling the day after graduation?

SPRADLING: We're feeling pretty good here, trying to move forward like we always have been and it's part of our family. Moving forward no matter what happens.

WHITFIELD: And Janet, you must be so proud of Jake and the other grads, as well, as so many of the teachers and students, you know, just really came together. We saw that videotape of the sentiment of teachers and what it was to huddle together and try to stay calm. You know, you have to commend so many of these teachers and students. What is your message to them? And how do you explain this kind of sense of community through such tragedy and devastation?

JANET BARRESI, OKLAHOMA STATE SUPERINTENDENT: Well, I can first of all tell you that the ceremony yesterday, that Jake participated in and that I had the honor of attending as well, was very inspirational, so poignant, bittersweet, one of the young ladies, Ms. Castillo, lost her mother in the storm. And people held up pictures of her mother.

But also, I have throughout the week been hearing stories of courage and of personal sacrifice just like you saw of countless stories of teachers without regard for their own safety, of support personnel, administrators literally throwing their bodies on children to help protect them, putting their arms out, spreading their arms out to cover and touch as many children. They are the difference between life and death. They are incredible individuals, and it doesn't surprise me a bit. This is what they do every day, is courage. WHITFIELD: And even the president who was there earlier today and made some comments a moment ago, he's still on the ground touring the devastation, talking with survivors. Even he said that, you know, he had to praise the teachers for putting kids first, his words. What are you hoping the president --

BARRESI: Absolutely.

WHITFIELD: -- the president can see while there in Moore Oklahoma, and what are you hoping the president can help do to piece this community back together?

BARRESI: Well, I know he is going to see people, the people of Moore that are rooted within this community with deep, deep faith. And see the determination they have, the fact that Oklahomans and really folks from all over the country have come here to assist, that giving attitude, what we call the Oklahoma standard, is here and the commitment of individuals to rebuild their lives.

Jake here lost everything. Their home is completely gone and their family is moving forward. As a matter of fact, he tells me this is his second F-5 tornado. He was in the 1999 tornado and they are rebuilding once again.

WHITFIELD: So then, Jake, given all you and your family has been through, graduation day had to take on new meaning. How do you look forward now? You know, how do you try to put this storm behind you or can you?

SPRADLING: We're just trying to go from being living with family to living in our own house and starting to buy new things, and just rebuilding from scratch now. Now we've been knocked down to the bottom and we have to work our way up.

WHITFIELD: What's next for you, Jake? What are you plans? Are you going to stay in Moore, Oklahoma, or are you going to be moving on now that graduation day is behind you?

SPRADLING: Well, I have a football scholarship to Northwestern Oklahoma State, and I have to report in the fall, so it's one of those things where I have been offered to be able to stay down there as much as I can. And they're more than welcome for me to have on campus, so right now, we're playing it by ear, playing it day to day.

WHITFIELD: Well, all the best to you. Go ahead.

BARRESI: Jake tells me he wants to be a teacher and teach mathematics, and that is absolutely inspirational. And so we're pleased to have him in the profession, and I know he's going to be fantastic.

WHITFIELD: We know that as well. Jake Spradling, thanks so much, and good luck to you as you head on to Northwest Oklahoma State, and Janet Barresi, thanks for your time as well and all the best as you try to rebuild there in Moore, Oklahoma. Thanks for your time. So the city of Moore is getting help from people who know their pain all too well. People from Joplin, Missouri, are reaching out. They say they're simply returning a two-year-old favor. That's story straight ahead.

But first, this week, a surprising revelation from Brad Pitt. The actor says he thinks he may have face blindness, and he plans to get tested for the disorder. Pitt says even having a real conversation with someone doesn't help him remember faces.

So what must it be like living with face blindness? Sanjay Gupta talks with a man who was diagnosed with that condition.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Oliver Sacks may be a world famous neurologist, but there's one simple thing, something important, something most of us take for granted that he can barely do at all. That's to recognize a face even a famous one.

(on camera): This one?

DR. OLIVER SACKS, NEUROLOGIST: Soft focus. The owner of this face is looking tough, but I don't know who it is. Sometimes I fail to recognize myself.

GUPTA: Even yourself?

SACKS: Yes, I have occasionally started apologizing to a clumsy bearded man only to realize this is a mirror.

GUPTA (voice-over): He's face blind. It's a rare and incurable condition he's had since birth. Sacks suspects it's genetic since his brother suffers from the same condition. He can see each facial feature just fine, but putting it all together, that's the problem.

(on camera): How about this picture?

SACKS: Well, that is a beautiful model or an actress. Well, I suppose one thinks of Marilyn Monroe.

GUPTA: You're looking at me right now. Can you describe what you're seeing?

SACKS: You have very beautiful white teeth. So I would recognize you especially by your teeth.

GUPTA (voice-over): You see? He finds a way, a way to adapt.

SACKS: I mean, now I have outed myself about face blindness. It makes it easier.

GUPTA (on camera): Would you want to be cured of this if you could?

SACKS: Yes, I think so. I think if I was suddenly presented with thousands of familiar, potentially familiar faces, I think this might overwhelm me.

GUPTA (voice-over): Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Two years ago, people from Moore, Oklahoma, reached out to help tornado victims in Joplin, Missouri. Well, at the time, they couldn't have known they would be the ones later needing help. Our Miguel Marquez was there when people from both towns came together.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): An emotional reunion.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you, guys.

MARQUEZ: Powerful tornadoes bringing together families of Moore and Joplin.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So glad you guys are OK.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You guys, too.

MARQUEZ: Summer Milton, eight months pregnant, her home heavily damaged in Moore this week, two years ago she organized damage relief supplies for Erin Stephens who lost her home in the Joplin tornado. CNN was there.

ERIN STEPHENS, TORNADO SURVIVOR: I can't do it again. It was too much. It's a miracle. It's God alone we're alive.

MARQUEZ: She and her family including Isabella, just 19 months old at the time, rode out the Category 5 storm in a bathtub.

STEPHENS: You could hear the house trying to lift and our tub, after two yanks we started flying, and there were six of us, including our 19-month-old daughter in the tub, and we held on for dear life.

MARQUEZ: Today, Erin Stephens and her family back on their feet are returning the favor.

STEPHENS: It was the exact same people who brought stuff to us and helped us out, who just lost their house, the exact same people. So we are just paying it forward.

MARQUEZ: Two cities, two families tied together by tragedy. Erin's mother, Kathy Mason, not only lost her home two years ago, her sister perished in a tornado that claimed 161 lives.

KATHY MASON, MOTHER OF ERIN STEPHENS (via telephone): With every trial and tribulation that we go through, it makes us stronger. It grows our faith in God.

MARQUEZ: Kathy still lives in Joplin, but with high end housing down after the storm, Erin moved an hour east to Springfield. Despite the distance, they are closer than ever.

MASON: We are more aware of each other's needs. We're more aware of each other's feelings.

STEPHENS: I feel like when you go through a trial like this, you don't have any other option, but to become closer and stronger.

MARQUEZ: The hard lessons of tornado alley now shared and shouldered by families who know today's pain and the hardships to come. Miguel Marquez, CNN, Joplin, Missouri.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And on this Memorial Day weekend, we salute those who gave their all.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Today, we've been showcasing U.S. veterans from wars in Afghanistan and Iraq who have sacrificed their lives. This hour, two more, Francis Toner IV, Toner was posthumously awarded the Silver Star after he was fatally shot by an Afghan soldier in March of 2009. Toner distracted the gunman to save others.

And 27-year-old Kimberly Hampton, Hampton was the first female pilot in U.S. history to die in combat. Her helicopter was shot down in January of 2004 over Iraq. For more, logon to cnn.com and join us in honoring the memory of 100 soldiers in 100 hours.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: President Barack Obama is in Moore, Oklahoma, right now, touring the damage from that deadly tornado six days ago. He spoke just a little less than an hour ago at the Plaza Towers Elementary School and he said the nation is praying for the victims and that Americans have their backs. The president also toured destroyed neighborhoods with Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin.

All right, we have the day's top stories coming up at the 4:00 Eastern Hour, join us for that. Plus, a heart-wrenching story about a 10- year-old girl who needs a life-saving lung transplant within weeks, but her age is preventing her from being at the top of the donor list. Find out why.

And a TV crew goes undercover to expose a sexual harassment of women in Egypt, all that straight ahead at 4:00 Eastern Time. But first, will signs of an economic recovery carry the Obama administration through its recent controversies. Candy Crowley joins Christine Romans for a special "YOUR MONEY" and that starts right now.