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A Duty to Honor & Serve; North Korea's Nuclear Defiance; Gas Prices on the Way Up?; President Obama Honors the Fallen: "With Each Death, We Are More Determined"; CNN Hero Lynn Hughes: Continuing the Fight for Veterans; Honoring the Fallen: iReports Spanning Three Wars

Aired May 25, 2009 - 11:02   ET

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

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Honoring the nation's fallen heroes. Live pictures from Arlington National Cemetery.

President Obama taking part in a solemn tradition, the wreath- laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. And earlier, the president hosted a breakfast at the White House for families who've lost loved ones in military service. After the wreath-laying, the president will speak at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington.

We will bring you the president's remarks live.

It is Monday, May 25th, a solemn Memorial Day, 2009. Americans remember the servicemen and women who died in war.

Live pictures now from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. Two fallen soldiers come home from Iraq. It is the first Memorial Day since the return ceremony was reopened to media coverage.

And New York honors the men and women serving their country at sea. Fleet Week comes to a close today.

Good morning, everyone. I'm Tony Harris, and you are in the CNN NEWSROOM.

Arlington National Cemetery, the president and thousands of visitors pausing to pay tribute to the men and women who died serving the United States of America. And then there are the soldiers who help honor the fallen.

Chief National Correspondent John King talked with a member of the Arlington Honor Guard.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CAPT. MICHAEL BANDZWOLEK, U.S. ARMY: I had spent a year in Iraq, during the invasion, and then, up into February of '04, with 101st Airborne Division. So it was different. It's different now, because I know my old battalion is back in Iraq at the time, and it's interesting to think about: I'm here and they're off doing that I could easily still be there doing that. That's still out there, and it's still something you can do, you know, any time, before or after you come here.

JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Does that experience enter your thoughts at all when you're here, serving, when you're seeing people who served alongside you?

BANDZWOLEK: It does, just because, we've walked already, I saw two graves of guys that I went to high school with, other ones that I recognize, guys I went to college with or guys that I went to college with, soldiers that they've had. So you do think about it, when you see, you know, someone that you knew, and here they are.

KING: As this Memorial Day is marked in the country, as you know, the politics of the war have become much more controversial. Do you think -- does that bother you, as someone who wears a uniform, that the war has become so unpopular? And do you think in any way the political debate about the war demeans or effects those who are buried here?

BANDZWOLEK: No, I don't think it does. I think that the political debate would happen regardless, one way or another. And it's not my place to say whether I agree or disagree with what's happening. And I think that that is completely someone else's right to do, if they choose. And I don't think that most people in their opinions, while they might be against the war, want to take anything away from the troops who are doing the job.

KING: You do a job here in which you are trained to almost be dispassionate, to pay no attention to what's going on around you, to not be distracted by what's going on around you. You get quite emotional walking through there, because you said you're passing the graves of friends. How difficult is it to do what you do?

BANDZWOLEK: It is difficult. I think at first it is more difficult because you're not only learning a job, but you're dealing with a very emotional situation. As you grow a little bit more comfortable with doing your job, it becomes easier to focus on that and not so much the families that are surrounding you.

But it never gets easier. It's difficult to see someone who, you know, like I said, particularly, someone whose husband or wife or son or daughter just died in Iraq and Afghanistan, and to stand in front of them, and to do that job, and to try to remain, not necessarily dispatched but to remain focused on what your job is.

KING: Is it what you expected, or can you not think in advance or study in advance what the experience is going to be like?

BANDZWOLEK: I don't think at the time, when I came here, I knew what to expect. The longer I've been here, it's definitely been an honor to be able to provide a service on the other side of the Army. And there's a lot of people in Iraq and Afghanistan that are doing their job. And there need to be some people on this side that are representing what the Army does and what the military is doing and also provide honors for a fallen soldier from Iraq or Afghanistan.

So it is an honor to do this job, and I'm proud to say that I've done it.

(END VIDEOTAPE) HARRIS: And as you've been watching John king's piece, to the left of your screen the Presentation of the Colors coming to a close. A

And just another reminder. President Obama will be making remarks from the Arlington Amphitheater in just a couple of minutes. When those remarks begin, we will, of course, take you there live.

And today's other big story -- North Korea sets off angry shock waves in world capitals today with its claim of a new underground nuclear test. The U.S. confirms seismic tremors rattled the northern part of the Korean peninsula today. They were felt in the same general area North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in 2006.

We are marshaling CNN's worldwide resources on this developing story. CNN's John Vause is in Beijing. CNN's Jill Dougherty is in Washington for us. And next hour, CNN's chief international correspondent, Christiane Amanpour, will join us.

First to Beijing.

And John, what did China have to say about this development next door?

JOHN VAUSE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Tony, it took a while, about eight hours, for Beijing to make a formal response to the North Korean nuclear test. That's not unusual for this country. But what followed was a fairly strong-worded reaction to North Korea's test. And it was read out on the state television news throughout the night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Despite international opposition, the Democratic people's republic of Korea has again conducted a nuclear test. The Chinese government thereby expresses absolute opposition towards this. To realize a denuclearized peninsula, oppose nuclear proliferation and promote long-term peace and stability in northeast Asia is the consistent position of the Chinese government.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: It was, in fact, almost word for word exactly the same as the statement which was issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here in October of 2006, the last time the North Koreans tested a nuclear device. But there was one significant difference.

Back in October of 2006, China said that the North Koreans had flagrantly disregarded the international community. That strong language was missing this time.

Why does this matter? Well, it could give us an indication of what China will do at the U.N. Security Council meeting later today. Back in October of 2006, the Chinese supported a U.N. Security Council resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea. It might mean that this time the Chinese may not want to go so tough -- Tony.

HARRIS: Yes. And John, did the North Koreans give the Chinese any kind of heads up?

VAUSE: Yes, the short answer of that one, Tony, is at this stage, we just don't know. There is one report out of Japan that says that the North Koreans did inform the Chinese ahead of time that they were about to conduct this nuclear test. It was reported back in 2006 that Pyongyang gave Beijing a 30-minute warning before its first nuclear test. What will be interesting, though, if there was no warning given to Beijing, it may be an indication of strained relations between the North Koreans and the Chinese.

HARRIS: All right. John Vause for us.

John, appreciate it. Thank you.

Let's bring in our Jill Dougherty.

Jill, I'm curious as to the White House's reaction to this news. We heard something from the president just a short time ago.

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN FOREIGN AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Right. And Tony, you know, that message wasn't really very different from the message that he put out in print early this morning, but having the president on camera ratcheted it up. And the essential message was, this is a grave threat.

Let's listen to what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK H. OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: North Korea will not find security and respect through threats and illegal weapons. We will work with our friends and allies to stand up to this behavior, and we will redouble our efforts toward a more robust international nonproliferation regime that all countries have responsibilities to meet.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DOUGHERTY: Now, the U.S. has tried, certainly, to make overtures to the North. It indicated it would have one-on-one meetings with the North Koreans if they would get back to the six-party talks.

They have a special envoy. There's been a lot of attention to improving that relationship. But they're not getting anything out of it at this point. So the question now is, what can they do that they haven't tried before that will actually work?

HARRIS: Yes, I think that's the question that a lot of us have. And we'll ask it throughout the morning.

Jill Dougherty for us in Washington.

Jill, appreciate it. Thank you. Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen tells CNN it will take a couple of days to verify the nuclear claim, but he says the U.S. has no reason to doubt North Korea.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: Can you give us any indication of what the U.S. could do to protect us if, indeed, this is a threat to us should diplomacy fail?

ADM. MIKE MULLEN, CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: Well, I think it's really important, Kiran, right now to emphasize the diplomatic path. And that's really the one they're on.

Obviously, we've got forces deployed to that part of the world. We have had for a significant period of time. We've got over 25,000 troops who are stationed in South Korea. We've got very close alliances there with Japan and South Korea as well.

And you mentioned the six-party talks. And the countries who are involved in that I think are absolutely critical as we move forward to address this increasingly belligerent challenge from North Korea.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: The six-party talks Admiral Mullen referred to collapsed last December, you may recall. That's when the North refused to verify it was, in fact, dismantling its nuclear facilities.

So what to make of all of this? Better certainly than last year, but moving up.

We're talk about gas prices here. The average for a gallon has shot up nearly 40 cents in four weeks.

Boy. Christine Romans, part of our money team -- boy, a linchpin of that money team -- is with us now.

So, Christine, help me here. Overall, demand for gas is down, right, from a year ago? And yet, gas prices are moving up, certainly not at last year's levels yet. And oil was at better than $60 a barrel at times last week.

Why, Christine? Why?

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Well, look, this price run-up for gas and oil, frankly, has gone farther and faster than a lot of people had expected. I mean, a lot of people scratching their heads.

I mean, look at the price of gasoline right now, Tony. It's about at least 12 cents higher than the Department of Energy peaked projection for the summer. So we're beyond everybody's peaks -- $2.42 today, last month it was just $2.05. Last year, though, you point out $3.93.

You're paying almost $6.50 to $7 more for a tank of gas right now than you were last month. That hurts, and you can feel it.

Gas prices tied with oil. Oil above $60 a barrel. Last week it got up there a couple of times.

Oil prices, a barrel of crude now the highest price since I think November. That's not because of any supply or demand changes, Tony.

HARRIS: Thank you.

ROMANS: That's because of the assumptions in the marketplace that the economy, the worst of the economy, is behind us. And something we call -- sometimes commodities and stock prices are either coupled or decoupled. Right now they're coupled.

That means that oil prices and gas prices, oil prices in particular, are rising with stocks on the assumption that the economy is going to eventually get better. So when you fill up the tank, you're not paying more for that gas, you're paying more, many economists are saying, for the economic assumptions that are going in that gas tank. Not exactly the commodities, though.

HARRIS: And the reality here is that this run-up in gas prices has the real potential to slow or absolutely stall any recovery. Am I off base on that, Christine?

ROMANS: That's a concern because it's money right out of people's pockets.

HARRIS: Absolutely.

ROMANS: And it's money that they have to spend on a commodity that's more expensive today than it was a month ago. So people are paying more right now to fill up that gas tank.

But -- and frankly, if you look over the past five years, I think that you're paying now considerably more every day to fill up the gas tank, Americans are, than they did, like, in 2005. But they're much, much less than last year. So, I mean, a couple of ways to look at it.

But I will say, for a couple of weeks now I've been talking to people who put these numbers together -- you know, the people who watch this every single day -- and they are very, very surprised. This thing has jumped out of their hands more than they thought it would.

HARRIS: And one more quick one here. Do you think we're going to see those $4 prices again this summer?

ROMANS: No. But the very people who were saying we will not see $3, no way, now they're saying, oh, well, there might be a chance, I don't know. They're starting to rework some of their assumptions because it has run up much more quickly than people thought it would.

HARRIS: Well, help us tomorrow. We're going to drill down on this significantly tomorrow. Drill down -- I'm sorry about that.

ROMANS: OK. Good.

HARRIS: All right, Christine. Appreciate it. Thanks.

Let's take you back now to Arlington Memorial Amphitheater. Just a short time ago, President Obama took part in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Admiral Mike Mullen addressing those gathered. The president is about to speak. But let's listen.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

MULLEN: ... the urgency of our task. What we do understand, as is revealed to us more fully each passing spring, is how precious and very rare these gifts truly are in and among this world.

Those who rest here and in every sacred plot across the nation and abroad, in battlefields and oceans, both unmarked and adorned, have given unto our hands and those of future generations the fullest reach of humanity. That reach is our highest mountain.

Their lifting spirit carries that most revolutionary idea that men and women would rise to serve a cause greater than themselves in order to make themselves truly equal and truly free. Their gifts are lives lived fullest and visions of endless possibilities to fulfill. And thanks to them, our inheritance is the promise of springtime ever rising upon this land.

No one values that inheritance or the sacrifice of our men and women in harm's way more than our commander in chief. And in every possible way, he and our first lady place our troops and their families first. First in their daily lives, first in their thoughts, and first in their hearts.

They have embraced our military families, and they made the dreams of each their very own. And for our wounded, their families, and the families of the fallen, they understand what eternal debts we truly owe.

Mr. President, we are grateful for your inspiration, for your support, and most of all, for your leadership in this time of war.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my distinct honor to introduce to you our commander in chief, the president of the United States.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Thank you.

Please be seated. Thank you.

Thank you, Admiral Mullen, for that generous introduction and for your sterling service to our country. To members of our armed forces, to our veterans, to honored guests and families of the fallen, I'm deeply honored to be with you on me Memorial Day.

Thank you to the superintendent, John Meltzer Jr. (ph), who cares for these grounds just as his father did before him.

To the 3rd Infantry Regiment, who, regardless of weather or hour, guard the sanctity of this hallowed ground with the reverence it deserves, we are grateful to you.

To service members from every branch of the military who each Memorial Day place an American flag before every single stone in this cemetery, we thank you as well.

(APPLAUSE)

We are indebted. We are indebted to all who tend to this sacred place. Here lie presidents and privates; Supreme Court justices and slaves; generals familiar to history and unknown soldiers known only to God.

A few moments ago, I laid a wreath at their tomb to pay tribute to all who have given their lives for this country. As a nation, we have gathered here to repeat this ritual in moments of peace when we pay our respects to the fallen and give thanks for their sacrifice. And we've gathered here in moments of war when the somber notes of "Taps" echo through the trees and fresh grief lingers in the air.

Today is one of those moments where we pay tribute to those who forged our history, but hold closely the memory of those so recently lost. And even as we gather here this morning, all across America people are pausing to remember, to mourn and to pray. Old soldiers are pulling themselves a little straighter to salute brothers lost a long time ago. Children are running their fingers over colorful ribbons that they know signify something of great consequence, even if they don't know exactly why. Mothers are rereading final letters home, clutching photos of smiling sons or daughters as youthful and vibrant as they always will be.

They and we are the legacies of an unbroken chain of proud men and women who served their country with honor, who waged war so that we might know peace, who braved hardships so that we might know opportunity, who paid the ultimate price so that we might know freedom.

Those who rest in these fields fought in every American war. They overthrew an empire and gave birth to revolution; they strained to hold a young union together; they rolled back the creeping tide of tyranny and stood post through a long twilight struggle; and they took on the terror and extremism that threatens our world's stability.

Their stories are the American story. More than seven generations of them are chronicled here at Arlington. They're etched into stone, recounted by family and friends, and silently observed by the mighty oaks that have stood over burier (ph) after burier (ph). To walk these grounds, then, is to walk history.

Not far from here, appropriately just across a bridge connecting Lincoln to Lee, union and confederate soldiers share the same land in perpetuity. Just down the sweeping hill behind me rests those we lost in World War II, fresh-faced GIs who rose to the moment by unleashing a fury that saved the world. Next week I'll visit Normandy, the place where our fate hung on an operation unlike any ever attempted, where it will be my tremendous honor to address some of the brave men who stormed those beaches sixty-five years ago.

And tucked in a quiet corner to our north are thousands of those we lost in Vietnam. We know for many the casualties of that war endure.

Right now there are veterans suffering and families tracing their fingers over black granite not two miles from here. They are why we pledge anew to remember their service and revere their sacrifice and honor them as they deserve.

This cemetery is in and of itself a testament to the price our nation has paid for freedom. A quarter of a million marble headstones dot these rolling hills in perfect military order, worthy of the dignity of those who rest here.

It can seem overwhelming, but for the families of the fallen, just one stone stands out. One stone that requires no map to find.

Today, some of those stones are found at the bottom of this hill in Section 60, where the fallen from Iraq and Afghanistan rest. The wounds of war are fresh in Section 60. The steady stream of visitors leave reminders of life -- photos, teddy bears, favorite magazines.

Friends place small stones as a sign they stopped by. Combat units leave bottles of beer, or stamp cigarettes into the ground as a salute to those they rode in battle with. Perfect strangers visit in their free time, compelled to tend to these heroes, to leave flowers, to read poetry, to make sure they don't get lonely.

If the fallen could speak to us, what would they say? Would they console us?

Perhaps they might say that while they could not know they'd be called upon to storm a beach through a hail of gunfire, they were willing to give up everything for the defense of our freedom. That while they could not know they'd be called upon to jump into the mountains of Afghanistan and seek an elusive enemy, they were willing to sacrifice all for their country. That while they couldn't possibly know they would be called to leave this world for another, they were willing to take that chance to save the lives of their brothers and sisters in arms.

What is this thing, this sense of duty? What tugs at a person until he or she says, "Send me"? Why in an age when so many have acted only in pursuit of narrowest self-interests have the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines of this generation volunteered all that they have on behalf of others? Why have they been willing to bear the heaviest burden?

Whatever it is, they felt some tug. They answered a call. They said, "I'll go."

That is why they are the best of America. That is what separates them from those who've not served in uniform, their extraordinary willingness to risk their lives for people they never met.

And my grandfather served in Patton's Army in world war ii. But I cannot know what it is like to walk into battle. I'm the father of two young girls, but I can't imagine what it's like to lose a child.

These are things I cannot know. But I do know this: I am humbled to be the commander in chief of the finest fighting force in the history of the world. I know that there is nothing...

(APPLAUSE)

I know that there is nothing I will not do to keep our country safe, even as I face no harder decision than sending our men and women to war, and no moment more difficult than writing a letter to the families of the fallen. And that's why as long as I am president, I will only send our troops into harm's way when it is absolutely necessary, and I will always provide them with the equipment and support they need to get the job done.

(APPLAUSE)

I know that military families sacrifice more than we can understand and feel an absence greater than we can comprehend. And that's why Michelle and I are committed to easing their burden. And I know what a grateful nation owes to those who serve under its proud flag. And that's why I promise all our servicemen and women that when the guns fall silent and you do return home, it will be to an America that is forever here for you, just as you've been there for us.

(APPLAUSE)

With each death, we are heartbroken. With each death, we grow more determined. This bustling graveyard can be a restless place for the living, where solace sometimes comes only from meeting others who know similar grief.

But it reminds us all the meaning of valor. It reminds us all of our own obligations to one another. It recounts that most precious aspect of our history and tells us that we will only rise or fall together.

So, on this day of silent remembrance and solemn prayer, I ask all Americans, wherever you are, whoever you are with, whatever you're doing, to pause in national unity at 3:00 this afternoon. I ask you to ring a bell or offer a prayer. Say a silent "Thank you" and commit to give something back to this nation,. something lasting in their memory, to affirm in our own lives and advance around the world those enduring ideals of justice, equality, and opportunity for which they and so many generations of Americans have given that last full measure of devotion.

God bless you. God bless the fallen. And God bless the United States of America.

(APPLAUSE)

HARRIS: President Barack Obama from the amphitheater of Arlington National Cemetery.

In his weekly radio address, Mr. Obama asked Americans to honor veterans by sending a letter or package to troops overseas, volunteering at health clinics, or just saying thank you to a veteran walking by on the streets.

Memorial Day 2009: Recognized throughout the country, all across this land.

Once American troops are home, the truth is, it can be difficult finding a routine and getting all the benefits. One man reaches out to vets to make sure they get what they deserve.

We're back in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: This Memorial Day, we want to share the story of Lynn Hughes, one of our CNN Heroes.

In Vietnam, he earned two purple hearts. Today, he's fighting to make sure all of our veterans are taken care of.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN HEROES.

LYNN HUGHES, 2007 CNN HERO: The veterans just don't know what to do. They don't know where to go. If we don't give them the information they need so they can get help, they won't get help.

TEXT: There are 24 million military veterans in the United States. Almost 2 million of them are uninsured.

HUGHES: It's so very, very important that these men and these women who have served this country get into the VA system. Their medical needs must be met. If you're not in the system, the government cannot help you.

My name is Lynn Hughes. I'm from Rocky Mountain, North Carolina. And my job is to help veterans.

It's the benefit book. It tells you...

We sit down and explain to them how important this paper work is so that they can file for their benefits.

Once we get the DD-214, which is right here, it will go strictly to you. It does not come to us. Once you get that, call me on the phone. See, Lynn, I got it...

It's the veterans who come to see us, really don't know how the process starts. They kind of fall in between the cracks. Most of them deserve the benefits that they are to get. Especially the ones who are service connected. Wounds. No arms. No legs.

I'm not a hero. I'm just a guy who wants to get out there and help veterans.

TEXT: Since begin named a CNN hero in 2007, Lynn has continued his work on behalf of veterans.

HUGHES: Everything doing well for you?

UNIDENTIFIED VETERAN: Yes. Going along fairly well.

TEXT: To date, he helped 650 veterans receive their entitled benefits.

HUGHES: We're still fighting for you, buddy.

UNIDENTIFIED VETERAN: And you fight all the time.

HUGHES: I took this upon myself because I didn't know of anyone else who was doing this.

We don't ask them for anything. Not even a stamp or an envelope.

How'ya doing, David?

These great men and great women suffer. That's why we do what we do. To give them a way to fight back. To love their country, that hopefully hasn't forgot them.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: To learn more about Lynn Hughes or to tell us about someone you know who is doing something extraordinary, just go to CNN.com/heroes. And remember, all of our heroes are chosen from people you nominate.

Veterans from three wars share their stories. We have their iReports. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: We are hearing your stories honoring the fallen spanning generations on this Memorial Day. Associate producer Rachel Rodriguez is taking it all in at CNN.com at our iReport Desk.

And Rachel, we were just talking a moment ago. These, generally speaking, are terrifically moving. And I'm sure you have a couple of examples of folks remembering their fallen loved ones.

RACHEL RODRIGUEZ CNN.COM ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: We do. Thanks, Tony. We got a number of incredible stories on ireport.com. The amazing thing is these are from families of vets who is served in every major war from World War I to the present. So we got a lot of incredible stories from throughout history.

So, I'm just going to share three of them you today.

Let's start with -- we got this beautiful old picture here from 1944. And this was sent to us by John Carter. He's a little kid in the picture; cute little kid. He's there with his dad, Sergeant Edward Carter. And Edward Carter was killed in France during World War II. And sadly, this was the last photo ever taken of him before he died. So John never really got to know his dad. So he's heard amazing stories about his father and how well he did in the military. He said he really missed having a father. Even more, he missed knowing the interesting guy that, you know, he's heard his father was.

HARRIS: Absolutely.

RODRIGUEZ: So, if we move on now to the Vietnam War, which was an especially hard era for soldiers and for their families. Lynn Kordas told us an amazing story here of her brother.

This is John Kursmersik (ph). And he served in Vietnam, and he was killed in 1969. And their family is a career military family. And Lynn said it was really, really hard for them after his death because of the anti-war attitude that a lot of the country had. She said the main thing that got their family through it was the fact that John really believed in what he was doing. He wasn't drafted, he enlisted of his own accord. You know, he knew what might happen. And she said, you know, you can be personally against the war or whatever, but John believed in what he was doing in Vietnam. He thought we were over there for a reason. She says, you know, you've got to respect that.

HARRIS: Yes, yes.

RODRIGUEZ: Now we're just going to move on to the present day.

HARRIS: OK.

RODRIGUEZ: We got a lot of amazing tributes from the family members of soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This one is from Veronica Mora. And she sent us this really, really touching memory of her husband, Arthur Mora. And he was killed in Iraq in 2005 and that left Veronica a widow with three children at just age 22. Her youngest son was born actually eight days before Arthur died.

She spoke to him on the phone, actually, on the day he died. She said it was about 20 minutes before he was killed. So when she found out, she, you know, was in a state of total disbelief. She said she thought, you know, that's not possible.

And she said, you know, Arthur was the kind of man that every mother dreams her daughter will marry. And so she said the worst part of this is that her three children aren't going to know his greatness firsthand.

HARRIS: Those are tremendous tributes.

RODRIGUEZ: Yes. We got a lot of amazing stories.

And you know, you can go to CNN.com/ireport to see a timeline with a lot more of the stories we received. And if you want to share your own tribute to a friend or family member who was lost in combat, go to ireport.com and share your tribute.

HARRIS: That's, as expected, moving, moving tributes. Rachel, appreciate it. Thank you.

RODRIGUEZ: Thanks, Tony.

HARRIS: And honoring those who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. A new Google program shows us where each of our fallen service members was from and tells us a little bit about them.

Here's CNN's John King.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: If you look at all these figures here on the United States of America, this is each and every one of the U.S. troops, the men and women who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. If you add in coalition forces as well, the total right now is up to nearly 5,700.

We're going to begin right here. I want to show you how the program works.

We touch here, and we tap again, and you meet Nathan Ross Chapman. He died in Afghanistan on January 4th, 2002. He was the first U.S. combat death under hostile fire in Afghanistan. You see here how he died, shot in an ambush. You can sign a guest book if you'd like down here on this program. You can also visit several memorial sites right down here.

I want to show you some of the other features of this remarkable program. You see Nathan's picture here and the word "incident." We will tap "incident" and we will fly around the world to Afghanistan. And it zooms quickly there. Let me shrink the map down for you as we go, cause I want to show you this.

You see the hills of Afghanistan here. And this is back at the very early days. I'm shrinking it down a little more so you can get the context when I play the timeline now.

This Afghanistan. We're back to January 2002. But as we play the timeline forward, you will watch now as deaths mount a bit in Afghanistan. I'm going to shrink the map a little bit more, because you see, as we are into 2005, the war in Iraq is under way as well. And you're watching -- each and every one of these lines is a line back home to the hometown of either the U.S. or coalition force -- as the toll mounts.

Going to zoom in on Iraq a little bit now as we come into 2008 and move on into 2009 - 5,679 total. And I'm going to touch right here, bring this out into Iraq here; bring this up.

This is the first combat death of an American in Iraq. It was back in March 2003, right at the very beginning. Federal Shane Childers, he is from Mississippi. And again, we can fly back to his hometown from there as we go back to the -- back to his hometown and pull out now to show you the United States.

As we show you these United States, you can use this Google Earth function, and perhaps you want to see somebody from your hometown. All these lines track back to where it might have - where the incident occurred in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The blue means that a woman soldier. This is Anisa Ann Chero (ph), she is from Grafton, West Virginia.

If you think maybe someone from your hometown, you can click on it there.

You can go alphabetically here. If your last name - you want to check a last name beginning with "H," tap on the "H." Let's try that again. Tap on a letter of the alphabet, and you'll get a list of everyone by that name. You can check by men. You can check by women. You can check by coalition troops.

And again, the remarkable feature of this is, once you get here, not only can you pay tribute, maybe a friend, maybe a family member, someone you knew from school, you can also visit these remarkable sites here. Often read obituaries as well.

This a new Google Earth program developed remarkably. It is remarkable. And on this Memorial Day, it is worth a visit for you to go.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: John, thank you.

A final homecoming for two U.S. soldiers who died in Iraq. The bodies of Sergeant Ryan Nasseman and Sergeant Paul Brooks arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, last night on the eve of Memorial Day. The flag-draped caskets were met by members of the Army's Old Guard in a solemn ceremony known as "a dignified transfer."

This is the first Memorial weekend dignified transfer since the ceremonies reopened to the media.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: On the day we honor America's war dead, the military threat from North Korea grows more urgent.

The government there, today, claimed it detonated an underground nuclear test and it says the explosion was much more powerful than its first test in 2006. The U.S. reports a seismic jolt in the region the strength of a small earthquake. But Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen tells CNN it takes several days to verify North Korea's claim.

President Obama calls the test a "matter of grave concern," and a violation of international law. He says the U.S. will continue to pursue diplomatic avenues.

The United Nations Security Council will take up the matter later today.

A Memorial Day parade in Middleboro, Massachusetts, canceled this morning because of this fire along the parade route. Wow, look at these flames. Officials say they're worried the steeple of the 100- year-old church could actually collapse. They've ordered all of the firefighters out of the building. The fire started this morning in the back of the church near the kitchen. Still no word on the exact cause.

And we are pushing ahead to the next hour of CNN NEWSROOM on this Memorial Day. Here's what we're following.

Will California Supreme Court say "I do" to Prop 8? Justices deciding tomorrow if the voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage is legal.

In Washington, President Obama is indicating he will reveal his pick to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter. That could come as early as tomorrow. He wants Senate confirmation before Congress goes on recess in August, but some republicans have other ideas.

And the search for crude oil. Black gold in the Gulf of Mexico. It comes at a price, a million dollars a day. In the search for cheaper gas is going mainland, the answer. All that in the NEWSROOM.

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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SPEC. ANDY ARTHUR, U.S. ARMY, FROM FORT RILEY, KANSAS: This is Specialist Andy Arthur from 118 in Baghdad. I just want to say happy Memorial Day to my lovely wife, Stephanie Arthur, and my loving daughter, Evelyn Arthur. I hope you guys have a great Memorial Day. I love you and I hope to see you soon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Well, a pretty nice moment we want to share with you from just moments ago. This new video into the CNN NEWSROOM.

Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and his wife, walking through Arlington National Cemetery, took a moment to speak with family members there, paying respects to a loved one. A very nice moment on this Memorial Day. Wanted to share that with you. Solemn events are going on in and around the nation's capital today. For many it won't be complete without a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, as you can see in these live pictures.

CNN's Paul Coursen reports, names are still being added.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL COURSEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Fifteen years after his death and nearly 40 years after he was wounded, the name Enrique Valdez has been added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The children of the Marine Corps gunnery sergeant are experiencing a victory on his behalf.

LYNDORA VALDEZ, DAUGHTER OF VIETNAM VETERAN: We didn't know that he could be put on the wall after he had died. We thought that the wall -- the only people that went on there were the ones that were actually, you know, killed in Vietnam.

COURSEN: Valdez, wounded by shrapnel in 1969 combat that left him a quadriplegic, died in 1994. A Pentagon panel took the next 14 years to consider his family's request to include him on the wall.

ENRIQUE "RICK" VALDEZ, SON OF VIETNAM VETERAN: This is a perfect example of persistence paying off. Never taking "no" for an answer. And just -- just trying to honor our father. That's all.

COURSEN: Symbols next to names on the wall are updated when someone missing in action is confirmed as killed in action. But adding a name takes a special review and careful measurements to make it fit with the others.

JIM LEE, ENGRAVER, VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL: When you strip that stencil off, we were shooting for an average 24,000ths deep for the name Enrique Valdez.

COURSEN: The four kids, now grown up, some with a touch of gray, watch the name go up and will return to Washington for Memorial Day ceremonies honoring their father and others.

They took time to reflect on the man who almost didn't make it home from the war, and how he lived out the rest of his life.

TINA VALDEZ, DAUGHTER OF VIETNAM VETERAN: He said, there are people that are worse off than I was. You know, when I enlisted and I served, I knew what I was getting into. And if this is the worst that can happen to me, well then, so be it.

COURSEN: Visitors may notice the fresh lettering. The only name added to the panels for 1969, joining the 58,260 comrades so honored.

Paul Coursen, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: The new addition to the wall becomes official at the top of next hour, 1:00 Eastern, when Enrique Valdez's name is read aloud during Memorial Day ceremonies.

And join Lou Dobbs, tonight, as he salutes our heroes, all the men and women serving this country in uniform. That's "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" at 7:00 Eastern.