Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Tributes for America's Fallen; 2012 Contenders Out in Force

Aired May 30, 2011 - 11:00   ET

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

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: It's Memorial Day, May 30, 2011.

I'm Suzanne Malveaux in the CNN NEWSROOM.

President Obama is at Arlington National Cemetery right now, as you can see those live pictures, paying tribute to those men and women who gave their lives to defend our country. He placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and shortly the president will speak at Arlington's amphitheater. We will have his address live, as well as remarks by Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen and Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

Arlington National Cemetery, it is 624 acres of hallowed ground, the final resting place for fallen troops from all of America's wars, including the most recent. The war dead from Iraq and Afghanistan are laid to rest in an area that's known as Section 60.

Our Pentagon correspondent Chris Lawrence is there on this Memorial Day.

And Chris, describe for us if you can the significance of this place that some call the saddest acre in America.

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Suzanne, this is where most of the Iraq and Afghanistan war dead have been buried. So, for a lot of these families, the wounds are still very fresh.

They have lost their loved ones in the last year, the last five years, the last 10 years. And they say for every man or woman who dies in service, there's about 10 people that that affects. It's mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, children.

So they estimate the deaths of these service members really affects more than 60,000 Americans. And each one is a separate story.

I mean, you look at Sergeant Ashley Moyer (ph). She was only 22 years old when she was killed in an attack in Iraq.

There's also Specialist Ross McGinnis. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. He was in a vehicle that got hit in which a grenade was actually thrown into that vehicle.

He had the chance to jump out of the vehicle. Instead, he threw himself on the grenade and probably saved the lives of the other men who were inside. We also got a chance to speak with Nicki Bunting, who lost her husband in Afghanistan about four years ago. And she really helped put in perspective exactly what this means to the families who are here.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NICKI BUNTING, WIDOW OF FALLEN SERVICEMAN: I want everyone to realize that these aren't just graves, they aren't just numbers, they're real people. And they had real families. They had wives and husbands and children and parents and siblings and friends.

And so that's what today is about, just celebrating their life, and making sure that everyone knows that these are real people that we've lost. And so when I get to talk about my husband, I love to laugh and smile when I talk about him and really share the great guy he was.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAWRENCE: The thing about her husband, he had come home for R&R to visit his family. He went back to Afghanistan for -- to complete his deployment, and he was killed in an attack about four days back in country.

What Nicki found out about a month or two later was that she was pregnant. So she's here today with her 1 and a half old son who never got a chance to know his father. But Nicki says she wants to keep this area happy, not somber.

She said she kind of teaches her youngest son that this is like heaven. This is where dad is. This is where he can come and be with dad so that he doesn't grow up thinking of this area just as a sad place and only thinking sad thoughts when he thinks about the dad that he just never even got a chance to meet -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: An amazing story.

Do the families of service members -- do they see this year any differently with a planned return of some U.S. troops being able to come home from Afghanistan in July?

LAWRENCE: You know, I talked to a couple people about that, and they said -- almost all of them said, look, any time a service member comes home alive and OK, they celebrate it. They feel, you know, joy and happiness for those families that are getting their service members back, especially when they're healthy and whole.

MALVEAUX: Is there any sense that these military families are just weary of the wars?

LAWRENCE: Yes, and you see that. I mean, as you look out, I mean, a lot of people come here year after year for the past few years. Some of have been coming five, six, seven years. And a lot of them will spend the entire day here. You can see some of the lawn chairs and like that.

Now, we don't want to give the impression that most of the war dead are buried here. A lot of people want to be buried in a cemetery near their hometown or where their family is. But what the families get here is not only the honor of being buried in Arlington, but also that feeling of community, where they can talk to other families that are experiencing what they're going through. Really, this is a community that truly only the people involved can truly, truly understand what it's like.

MALVEAUX: OK. Chris, thank you so much for putting into perspective. And obviously, we wish the very best for those families getting through this time.

Thank you, Chris. Appreciate it.

Well, shortly, the president is going to speak at Arlington's amphitheater. And we're going to have his address live, as well as remarks from Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen and Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

We want to remind you to explore CNN.com's interactive tribute to the troops who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. Go to CNN.com/casualties, and you'll find troops from your area of the country. You can also leave your own messages and stories about loved ones who have died in combat. That is CNN.com/casualties.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: Looking at live pictures now of Memorial Day observance there you have at Arlington National Cemetery, honoring the fallen members of America's armed services. As each one of them will take turns -- the program began with a musical prelude by the United States Marine Band, with the Parade of Colors and the laying of the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

There will be an invocation by Colonel Steven Berry, and we will also hear as well the national anthem, a welcome by chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, followed by remarks from Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. And, of course, the president to speak as well. All part of a ceremony marking the 143rd Memorial Day observance.

Just moments ago President Obama honors the nation's war dead. Just moments ago he placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.

In about 20 minutes we're going to hear live from Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and President Obama.

You are looking at live pictures on this Memorial Day at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. That, in New York. Today's ceremony includes the presentation of a 100-foot American flag. New York Mets general manager, Sandy Alderson, a Vietnam veteran, will place a Memorial wreath in the Hudson River

Just this last hour, President Obama nominated General Martin Dempsey to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Now, Dempsey, served two tours in Iraq and currently is the highest ranking Army officer in the Joint Chiefs. He would replace Admiral Mike Mullen, who retires on October 1st.

Sarah Palin's East Coast bus tour takes her to Mount Vernon and Gettysburg today. The former vice presidential candidate revved up 2012 speculation as she took part in an annual motorcycle ride for veterans on Sunday. Palin remains cryptic about her presidential plans.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SARAH PALIN (R), FMR. VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The bus tour is to get out there and remind Americans about our foundation, our Constitution, and the historical sites that should be a reminder every day to every American about how important it is to stand strong on our foundation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: People in southwest Michigan are spending their Memorial Day cleaning up from a tremendous thunderstorm. Seventy-five-to-80- mile-an-hour winds brought down hundreds of trees and cut electricity to 100,000 customers. A fast food restaurant in Battle Creek took a direct hit.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES MOMAN, BURGER KING EMPLOYEE: Our signs blew off right above us. We had a lady freaking out. She's screaming, and all we hear is our manager scream, "Get in the women's bathroom!"

And our back entrance door busted out; glass, ceiling tile, lighting, hanging down. The roof caves in, in the dining room.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: The National Weather Service now says that the Joplin tornado cut a 13-mile path across the Missouri town. That is double the original estimate. Officials say the tornado killed at least 142 people. Forty-three are still missing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Houston and station, we have physical separation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: After 11 days parked at the International Space Station, Endeavour is getting ready to come home. The shuttle is scheduled to land early Wednesday morning at the Florida spaceport. This is Endeavour's 25th and final flight. Just one shuttle flight remains.

Here's your chance to "Talk Back" on one of the big stories of the day. And today we are asking: Why aren't we doing more to help our veterans?

Carol Costello joins us with that very important question.

And a lot of people want to know, what happens when they come home, and why aren't we servicing them better?

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely.

As we're honoring our fallen troops on Memorial Day, we should at some point turn the corner and think about the young men and women who will soon come home from the war zone. They won't have an easy time of it.

Overall unemployment is high these days, but the jobless rate is nearly 22 percent for veterans between 18 and 24. You would think that after handling one of the toughest assignments in life, fighting a war, that getting a job would be easy. But it's not.

Veterans are finding that what they did over there, whether it be saving lives as a medic, or transporting heavy artillery, doesn't certify them for a job as an EMT or a truck driver back home in civilian life. Senator Patty Murray, chairwoman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, says vets are afraid to list their military experience on job applications, and that's for good reason. Employers are not exactly eager to hire them, and many vets don't know how to play up their skills.

Murray finds that more than sad.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. PATTY MURRAY (D), VETERANS AFFAIRS CHAIRWOMAN: If we don't make sure that we help those men and women who are coming home today get a job, help with their physical and mental injuries, get through the benefits claim process, 20 years from now our country will have on its conscience a high number of veterans who we've lost because of suicide, who are homeless on the streets, and who have been lost. And I don't want to see that happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: As a culture, are we in denial about the plight of our veterans? We love to see those happy homecomings, but then we just go on with our lives.

So, the "Talk Back" question today: Why aren't we doing more for our veterans?

Facebook.com/CarolCNN, and I'll read your comments later this hour

MALVEAUX: All right, Carol. Thank you.

COSTELLO: Sure.

MALVEAUX: Presidential hopefuls are out in full force this Memorial Day. I'm going to tell you who is campaigning where and talk about the importance of this holiday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) (MUSIC)

MALVEAUX: You've been listening to Staff Sergeant Sara Dell'Omo of the United States Marine Corps singing "America the Beautiful." That will be followed by remarks by Secretary Robert Gates, as well as an address from the president of the United States.

You're looking at live pictures from Arlington National Cemetery. President and Mrs. Obama are honoring the nation's fallen troops. The president just laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

But let's first take a listen.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

ROBERT GATES, DEFENSE SECRETARY: For many Americans, Memorial Day is a welcomed respite from work, an extra day to spend at the beach or finish errands. But we must never forget that it is, foremost, an occasion to reflect, to remember, and to honor the brave men and women who fought and died for us.

Each year we set aside a single day to reflect on the service of our armed forces and generations past and present, a day where we must also honor the sacrifices of military family members who, in recent years, have borne the brunt of repeated deployments, long partings, and the fear of receiving the knock on the door with the worst of all possible news. But I urge all Americans to remember that just as each and every day the troops now serving faithfully pursue their mission to protect us, so each and every day they deserve our recognition, our respect, and our conscious gratitude. Every soldier, sailor, airman, Marine and Coast Guard wearing the uniform today --

MALVEAUX: You've been listening to Defense Secretary Robert Gates there paying tribute to the fallen soldiers.

We are awaiting as well President Obama, who will also be addressing the crowd there at Arlington National Cemetery right after Secretary Gates. And we'll bring those comments to you live.

Presidential hopefuls and possible contenders, well, they're out in full force this Memorial Day. Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty is spending the day in Iowa. Former vice president candidate Sarah Palin's bus tour takes her to Washington, to Mount Vernon, Virginia, and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. And Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, she is in Dover, New Hampshire. And businessman Hermain Cain is in Hampstead, New Hampshire.

Our CNN's Jim Acosta joins us live from Gettysburg to talk about the politics of this day.

And obviously, Jim, it's important to acknowledge and recognize the fallen, but we do know that this is also a very important holiday for candidates as they try to show their commitment, right, to the armed services?

JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Suzanne. And we thought since we have been out here in Gettysburg all morning long waiting for Sarah Palin's expected arrival later this afternoon, we should show one of the more inspiring spots. This is the Pennsylvania Memorial here at Gettysburg, honoring the more than 1,100 soldiers that died on this battlefield.

And you're right. I mean, this is a very important holiday for a lot of politicians, especially when you're one year out from a presidential race. Sarah Palin is expected to bring her bus tour. Some have called it the mystery bus tour because we don't have all of the details about where --

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you.

MALVEAUX: We're now going to take a listen to President Obama.

(BEGIN COVERAGE)

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

Thank you so much. Please, be seated.

Thank you, Secretary Gates, and thank you for your extraordinary service to our nation.

I think that Bob Gates will go down as one of our finest Secretaries of Defense in our history, and it's been an honor to serve with him.

I also want to say...

(APPLAUSE)

I also want to say a word about Admiral Mullen.

On a day when we are announcing his successor as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and as he looks forward to a well-deserved retirement later this year, Admiral Mullen, on behalf of all Americans, we want to thank you for your four decades of service to this great country.

(APPLAUSE)

We want to thank Deborah Mullen as well for her extraordinary service; to Major General Karl Horst (ph), the commanding general of our military district of Washington; Ms. Nancy Horst (ph) and Mr. Patrick Halliman (ph), the superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery as well as his lovely wife, Doreen (ph) and to Chaplain Steve Barry (ph), thank you for your extraordinary service.

(APPLAUSE)

It is a great privilege to return here to our national sanctuary, this most hallowed ground, to commemorate Memorial Day with all of you, with Americans who've come to pay their respects, with members of our military and their families, with veterans whose service we will never forget and always honor, and with Gold Star families, whose loved ones rest all around us in eternal peace.

To those of you who mourn the loss of a loved one today, my heart goes out to you.

I love my daughters more than anything in the world and I cannot imagine losing them. I can't imagine losing a sister or a brother or a parent at war.

The grief so many of you carry in your hearts is a grief I cannot fully know. This day is about you and the fallen heroes that you loved. And it's a day that has meaning for all Americans, including me.

It's one of my highest honors. It is my most solemn responsibility as president to serve as commander-in-chief of one of the finest fighting forces the world has ever known.

(APPLAUSE)

And it's a responsibility that carries a special weight on this day.

It carries a special weight each time I meet with our Gold Star families and I see the pride in their eyes, but also the tears of pain that will never fully go away, each time I sit down at my desk and sign a condolence letter to the family of the fallen.

And sometimes a family will write me back and tell me about their daughter or son that they've lost, or a friend will write me a letter about what their battle buddy meant to them.

I received one such letter from an Army veteran named Paul Tarbox (ph) after I visited Arlington a couple of years ago.

Paul (ph) saw a photograph of me walking through section 60, where the heroes who fell in Iraq and Afghanistan lay, by a headstone marking the final resting place of Staff Sergeant Joe Fanuff (ph).

Joe (ph), he told me, was a friend of his, one of the best men he'd ever known, the kind of guy who could have the entire barracks in laughter, who was always there to lend a hand, from being a volunteer coach to helping build a playground.

It was a moving letter, and Paul (ph) closed it with a few words about the hallowed cemetery where we are gathered here today.

He wrote, "The venerable warriors that slumber there knew full well the risks that are associated with military service and felt pride in defending our democracy.

"The true lesson of Arlington," he continued, "is that each headstone is that of a patriot. Each headstone shares a story. Thank you for letting me share with you the story about my friend, Joe (ph)."

Staff Sergeant Joe Fanuff (ph) was a patriot, like all the venerable warriors who lay here, and across this country, and around the globe.

Each of them adds honor to what it means to be a soldier, sailor, airman, Marine and Coast Guardsman. Each is a link in an unbroken chain that stretches back to the earliest days of our republic.

And on this day, we memorialize them all. We memorialize our first patriots, blacksmiths and farmers, slaves and freedmen, who never knew the independence they won with their lives.

We memorialize the armies of men and women disguised as men, black and white, who fell in apple orchards and cornfields in a war that saved our union.

We memorialize those who gave their lives on the battlefields of our times, from Normandy to Manila, Binh Chanh to Khe Sanh, Baghdad to Helmand and in jungles, deserts and city streets around the world.

What bonds this chain together across the generations, this chain of honor and sacrifice, is not only a common cause, our country's cause, but also a spirit captured in the Book of Isaiah, a familiar verse mailed to me by the Gold Star parents of Second Lieutenant Mike McGahan (ph), "When I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send and who will go for us?' and I said, 'Here I am, send me.'"

That's what we memorialize today, that spirit that says, send me, no matter the mission. Send me, no matter the risk. Send me, no matter how great the sacrifice I am called to make.

The patriots we memorialize today sacrificed not only all they had, but all they would ever know. They gave of themselves until they had nothing more to give.

It's natural when we lose someone we care about to ask why it had to be them, why my son, why my sister, why my friend, why not me. These are questions that cannot be answered by us.

But on this day we remember that it is on our behalf that they gave our lives -- they gave their lives.

We remember that it is their courage, their unselfishness, their devotion to duty that has sustained this country through all its trials and will sustain us through all the trials to come.

We remember that the blessings we enjoy as Americans came at a dear cost, that our very presence here today as free people in a free society bears testimony to their enduring legacy.

Our nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes that we can never fully repay, but we can honor their sacrifice and we must.

We must honor it in our own lives by holding their memories close to our hearts and heeding the example they set.

And we must honor it as a nation by keeping our sacred trust with all who wear America's uniform and the families who love them, by never giving up the search for those who've gone missing under our country's flag or held as prisoners of war, by serving our patriots as well as they serve us, from the moment they enter the military to the moment they leave it, to the moment they are laid to rest.

That is how we can honor the sacrifice of those we've lost. That is our obligation to America's guardians, guardians like Travis Manehan (ph).

The son of a Marine, Travis (ph) aspired to follow in his father's footsteps and was accepted by the U.S.S. Naval Academy.

His roommate at the academy was Brendan Looney (ph), a star athlete and born leader from a military family just like Travis (ph).

The two quickly became best friends, like brothers, Brendan (ph) said. After graduation, they deployed, Travis (ph) to IRA, and Brendan (ph) to Korea.

On April 29th, 2007, while fighting to rescue his fellow Marines from danger, Travis (ph) was killed by a sniper. Brendan (ph) did what he had to do.

He kept going. He poured himself into his SEAL training and dedicated it to the friend that he missed.

He married the woman he loved and, his tour in Korea behind him, he deployed to Afghanistan. On September 21st of last year, Brendan (ph) gave his own life, along with eight others, in a helicopter crash.

Heartbroken, yet filled with pride, the Manehans (ph) and the Looneys (ph) knew only one way to honor their sons' friendship.

They moved Travis (ph) from his cemetery in Pennsylvania and buried them side by side here at Arlington. "Warriors for freedom," reads the epitaph written by Travis' (ph) father, "brothers forever."

The friendship between First Lieutenant Travis Manehan (ph) and Lieutenant Brendan Looney (ph) reflects the meaning of Memorial Day, brotherhood, sacrifice, love of country.

And it is my fervent prayer that we may honor the memory of the fallen by living out those ideals every day of our lives, in the military and beyond.

May God bless the souls of the venerable warriors we've lost and the country for which they died.

MALVEAUX: Live pictures there, Arlington National Cemetery. Brief remarks by President Obama on this 143rd Memorial Day observance. The president talking and speaking on hallowed ground for many there. This is a president who under his command brought the Iraq war officially to a close on August 31st of last year, that he has --

Let's take a quick listen as they play taps.

(MUSIC) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go into the world to preserve peace. Remember the wisdom you have learned and be courageous. Cling to that which is good always. Resist evil to the utter most. Strengthen the faint hearted, lift up the oppressed, defend the helpless. Honor God --

MALVEAUX: You've been watching the observance, Memorial Day observance there at Arlington National Cemetery. You're listening at the benediction as the ceremony comes to a close. The president on a very personal note, saying that he cannot even imagine what it would be like to lose his daughters or a loved one as so many are experiencing this moment of loss, this moment of grief, but also of remembrance of the strength and the courage that so many had in sacrificing their lives for freedom.

The president sending the message that one thing is memorialized and that is send me, send me, sacrifice and service for the country. Recognition of the sacrifice of the fallen heroes and, of course, the families who survived them.

We are looking at live pictures of the president and first lady sharing some handshakes, some hugs with the top military brass as they leave Arlington National Cemetery. This is the 143rd of its kind and you can see people who are there set among the tombstones with the umbrellas, the flowers, the flags as they mark this solemn and important holiday.

We'll have more after the break.

(END COVERAGE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: A lot of you are grilling or eating out this holiday and you are probably not thinking how many servings of fruits and veggies you should have. Well, remember the food pyramid?

Our senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen is here to tell us about a big change.

I've been eating burgers the last 48 hours. But no more pyramid, right?

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: No more pyramid, right. I bet you weren't thinking of the pyramid when you were eating those burgers, right?

MALVEAUX: I was not. I was just loving the burgers.

COHEN: Right. You were just having a great time.

The food pyramid, RIP. It's been around since 1992 and they are getting rid of it and instead we are going to what the USDA is calling a dinner plate. It's not going to look exactly like this. They haven't unveiled the final thing but we have learned this is basically the concept. Half of your plate is supposed to be fruits and vegetables and you're supposed to have a small serving of protein, that hamburger, right, small serving of a grain, and a little side of a dairy.

But, half the plate fruits and veggies, that's the key.

MALVEAUX: Why did they ditch the pyramid in the first place?

COHEN: OK, I think when I show it to you you'll understand why. Not the finest moment that our country has had in public health communications, all right? This is the original pyramid.

Now, do you see on the top of that, Suzanne, those little dots?

MALVEAUX: Yes. What are those?

COHEN: They're sweets and fats and you were supposed to eat those sparingly, you weren't supposed to eat many of those but it was at the top of the pyramid so that was kind of counterintuitive. So then they did a new pyramid in 2005, and this is just this big sort of mush of food on the bottom. And, you know, six years later I'm still trying to figure it out. So this was just not a great public health communication moment.

MALVEAUX: So do they think that a change in an icon will really change people's behavior? Like they'll kind of get it?

COHEN: Well, you can see how much simpler this is, right?

MALVEAUX: Sure.

COHEN: And so they're hoping that you look at it and you say, wow, half my plate is supposed to be fruits and vegetables. But I don't think anyone is naive enough to think that Americans will go, oh that's what we're supposed to be doing. You know, they know that Americans kind of know this already. But they're hoping that with this icon, with this image, it'll maybe remind people.

But, they're going to need a lot more than an icon, I think.

MALVEAUX: Yes, that's true. But I do like the plate layout. It kind of reminds me, OK, fruit and veggies, that's where it goes. The burger cannot take the whole plate, right?

COHEN: Right, exactly. Which is probably what you did, right?

MALVEAUX: I did. I did it.

COHEN: Right.

MALVEAUX: All right, great. Thank you so much, Elizabeth.

COHEN: OK.

MALVEAUX: Appreciate it.

Well, Sarah Palin, she is not the only potential candidate making headlines this week. Find out who else is going to be in the political spotlight. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: Sarah Palin is getting a lot of attention this week, but she is not the only candidate or potential candidate who is making headlines.

Our Paul Steinhauser, part of the Best Political Team on Television, live from the political desk in Washington.

Paul, who else is in the spotlight? Tell us.

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Mitt Romney will be in the spotlight, Suzanne. You're going to hear a lot about Sarah Palin for sure all week. But Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor, remember he ran for the Republican presidential nomination last time around. On Thursday, he makes it official again. He's going to say those magical words, I am a candidate for president.

He's going to go it in New Hampshire, and no surprise. The Granite State is crucial to Romney's chances of winning the nomination so keep your eye on Mitt Romney among other things, Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: It's a huge political week, Paul. Tell us -- Republicans don't seem to be happy, however, with the current group of candidates they have.

STEINHAUSER: Yes. Check this out. I guess the question is do they have a lot of love from these candidates? Look at this from our CNN/Opinion Research Corporation National poll, just came out the other day. And you can see at the top there, only 16 percent say they are very satisfied with the current field. And look at the bottom, 4 in 10 are not satisfied at all.

But it is early. It is early. There may be enough time for these people to fall in love with these candidates. Stay tuned on that one, Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: All right. They've got some time. I understand there's going to be a major gathering two weeks from today, is that right?

STEINHAUSER: Yes, two weeks from today, back in New Hampshire. It's the CNN WMUR New Hampshire Union Leader debate. It's the first Republican presidential debate in New Hampshire. We're very excited about it, we hope to see a lot of the candidates there. It should be a big deal, Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: All right. Very big deal. Thank you, Paul. Have a great holiday.

For the latest political news, you know where to go, CNNpolitics.com.

This Memorial Day, it's going to cost you more to fire up the grill. I want you to take a look at this. If you're eating a hamburger, the price of ground beef is up 12 percent. Lettuce, tomatoes, up almost 10 percent. And if you want to cool things off with some ice cream, expect to pay 5 percent more. We're going to be right back after this quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: You're actually paying $1 more per gallon of gas this Memorial Day than you were last year. So if you're traveling this weekend, those prices can really add up.

Alison Kosik is here with ways to help you save some money when you're behind the wheel.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Suzanne. Yes, it's Memorial Day and most likely that means many of us are going to be hitting the road. AAA estimates almost 35 million Americans will travel distances of 50 miles or more over this long holiday weekend with 30.9 million planning to drive to their destination. And with gas prices at $4 a gallon in many areas, there are some things you can do right now to save money at the pump and put that money into your summer road trips.

First, when you're behind the wheel, control your speed. You can boost your gas mileage by as much as 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent around town just by sticking to the speed limit. Braking and accelerating suddenly wastes fuel. And on the highway, consider using cruise control.

But what about at the pump? How can you find the cheapest gas around? Well, there are apps for that. Gas Buddy, it's available on iPhone, Android and the web, and lets you search for the cheapest gas in your area. Go ahead and plug in your zip code and see where the deals are. But if you have to travel too far it may not be worth it. Bankrate.com's gas calculator will do the math for you to determine when traveling for cheaper gas makes sense and when you'll start losing money on the trip.

Finally when you plan your trip, pay attention to timing. If your travel schedule is flexible, try to drive at off-peak times to avoid as much traffic as you can because as you sit idle you're not only wasting precious time, you're burning unnecessary fuel -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: All right. Thanks, Alison.

Today's Talk Back question. Why aren't we doing more for our veterans?

Chase says, "Because no one else sees what we go through. No one will ever understand it until they're there and until everyone understands it, they'll draw the line in terms of the help we receive."

More of your responses straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: America's veterans are coming home to high unemployment rates and homelessness as well, which brings us to today's Talk Back question: why aren't we doing more for our veterans? And Carol Costello has your responses. I understand that they are, as you said, some of them are heartbreaking.

COSTELLO: Heartbreaking. It makes you cry.

Our Talk Back question, why aren't we doing more for our veterans?

This from Brad. "Why is it every time an issue is brought up on these Talk Back segments people turn into a Republican/Democrat, left/right issue? We need to make the changes, not these crooked, bought off politicians. As a combat vet, I know what a huge bureaucracy the VA is and how poorly it's run."

This from Samantha. "It's easy to forget those who have fallen and those who are still fighting when you turn on the news and there's nothing about the soldiers or the war on TV anymore. I wish people would remember the troops all the time and not just on national holidays or on Sundays when "Army Wives" comes on.

This from Jorge. "It only sounds good to seem we care about them and flying the flag outside makes us look good in front of others. But that's as far as we going. The hell with them vets."

And this from Ace. "It's because nobody honestly cares. I did two tours in Iraq as a U.S. Marine. I am 27, homeless, living in my car, and my family, friends and everyone just shook my hand then they turned their backs. No one will hire me because I've been told we don't hire crazy war vets, but thanks for your service. When does this country I will fight for fight for me?"

Facebook/cnn. Please, continue this important conversation I'll be back in about 10 minutes or so.

MALVEAUX: OK, thank you Carol.

More of today's top stories after a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)