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Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton Speak at United Flight 93 Memorial; Vice President Joe Biden Speaks at United Flight 93 Memorial; Wall of Names Unveiled in Remembrance of United Flight 93; Republican Presidential Candidates Prepare for Tea Party Debate in Florida; Animals in Zoo Killed to Spare them From Drowning in Flood Waters; Soldiers in Afghanistan Remember 9/11

Aired September 10, 2011 - 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 Fredericka Whitfield in Atlanta.

We want to take you straight to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, for the Flight 93 National Memorial dedication.

Speaking right now, former President George W. Bush.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

GEORGE W. BUSH, 43RD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: They boarded American Flights 11 and 77, United 93 and 175. They did nothing to provoke or deserve the deliberate act of murder that al Qaeda carried out.

One of the lessons of 9/11 is that evil is real, and so is courage. When the planes struck the World Trade Center, firefighters and police officers charged up the stairs into the flames. As the towers neared collapse, they continued the rescue efforts.

Ultimately, more than 400 police officers and firefighters gave their lives. Among them was the chief of the New York City Fire Department Peter Gancy. As a colleague put it, he would never ask anyone to do something he didn't do himself.

The Pentagon service members and civilians pulled friends and strangers from burning rubble. One special forces soldier recalls reaching through a cloud of smoke in search of the wounded. As he entered one room, he prayed to find someone alive. He discovered a severely burned woman and carried her to safety. Later, in the hospital, where she explained she's been praying for rescue. She called him her guardian angel.

And then there's the extraordinary story we commemorate here. Aboard United Airlines Flight 93 were college students from California, an iron worker from New Jersey, veterans of the Korean War and World War II, citizens of Germany and Japan, a pilot who had rearranged his schedule so that he could take his wife on a vacation to celebrate their anniversary.

When the passengers and crew realized the plane had been hijacked, they reported the news calmly. When they learned that the terrorists had crashed other planes into targets on the ground, they accepted greater responsibilities. In the back of the cabin, the passengers gathered to devise a strategy.

At the moment America's democracy was under attack, our citizens defied their captors by holding a vote. The choice they made would cost them their lives, and they knew it. Many passengers called their loved ones to say good-bye, then

Many passengers called their loved ones to say goodbye then hung up to perform their final act. One said, "They're getting ready to break into the cockpit. I have to go. I love you." Another said, "It's up to us. I think we can do it."

In one of the most stirring accounts, Todd Beamer, a father of two with a pregnant wife with a home in New Jersey, asked the air operator to join him in reciting the Lord's Prayer. Then he helped lead the charge with the words "Let's roll."

With their selfless act, the men and women who stormed the cockpit lived out the words, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." And with their brave decision, they launched the first counter offensive of the war on terror. The most likely target of the hijacked plane was the United States Capitol. We'll never know how many innocent people might have been lost, but we do know this, Americans are alive today because the passengers and crew of Flight 93 chose to act, and our nation will be forever grateful.

The 40 souls who perished on the plane left a great deal behind. They left spouses and children and grandchildren who miss them dearly. They left successful businesses and promising careers and a lifetime of dreams they will never have the chance to fulfill. They left something else -- a legacy of bravery and selflessness that will always inspire America.

For generations people will study the flight, the story of Flight 93. They will learn that individual choices make a difference, that love and sacrifice can triumph over evil and hate, and that what happened above this Pennsylvania field ranks among the most courageous acts in American history.

At the memorial we dedicate today will ensure our nation always remembers those lost here on 9/11. But we have a duty beyond memory. We have a duty beyond honoring. We have a duty to live our lives in a way that upholds the ideals for which the men and women gave their lives, to build a living memorial to their courage and sacrifice. We have a duty to find common purpose as a nation.

In the days after 9/11, the response came like a single hand over a single heart. Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle gathered on the steps of the capitol to sing "God bless America." neighbors reached out to neighbors of all backgrounds and beliefs.

The past decade, our country has been tested by natural disaster, economic turmoil, anxieties and challenges here at home and abroad. There have been spirited debates along the way. It's the essence of democracy. But Americans have never been defined by our disagreements. Whatever challenges we face today and in the future, we must never lose faith in our ability to meet them together. We must never allow our differences to harden into divisions.

Secondly, we have a duty to remain engaged in the world as 9/11 proved that the conditions in the country on the other side of the world can have an impact on our own streets. It may be tempting to think it doesn't matter what happens to a villager in Afghanistan or a child in Africa, but the temptation of isolation is deadly wrong.

World repression, anger and resentment will be a never ending source of violence and threats. A world of dignity and liberty and hope will be safer and better for all. The surest way to move toward that vision is for the United States of America to lead the cause of freedom.

Finally, we each have a duty to serve a cause larger than ourselves. The passengers aboard Flight 93 set an example that inspires us all. Many have followed their path of service by donating blood or mentoring a child or volunteering in desperate corners of the earth. Some have devoted their careers to analyzing intelligence or protecting our borders and securing our skies. Others have made the noble choice to defend our nation in battle.

For 10 years, our troops have risked and given their lives to prevent our enemies from attacking America again. They've kept us safe, they have made us proud, and they have upheld the spirit of service shown by the passengers on Flight 93.

Many years ago, in 1863, another president came to dedicate a memorial site in this state. He told his audience that, "In a larger sense we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. For the brave souls who struggled there, it consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract."

He added "The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here."

So it is with Flight 93. For as long as this memorial stands, we will remember what the men and women aboard the plane did here. We'll pay tribute to the courage they showed, the sacrifice they made, and the lives they spared. The United States will never forget.

May god bless you all.

(APPLAUSE)

WILLIAM J. CLINTON, 42CD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Before President Bush came up to speak, I asked him if he was having a hard time. And he said I was doing fine until I looked at you, all of you. Last night, Hillary came home after spending a day in New York. And her eyes were red because 10 years ago she was the senator representing those 343 firemen and nearly 900 people from Cantor Fitzgerald who died and all the others. As we remember what happened at the -- in New York, at the Pentagon, and here, all the rest of us have to honor those who were lost, to thank those who love them for keeping their memory alive, raising their children, and finding the strength to go on with your own lives.

I think we should also thank President Bush and those who served with him, Vice President Biden, President Obama, those who served with them, for keeping us from being attacked again. I thank them for that.

(APPLAUSE)

Speaker Boehner, I thank you and the members of Congress who are here and who have been in the Congress for the last 10 years trying to respond to the findings of the 9/11 commission and improve our ability to secure our homeland.

But here in this place we honor something more. I was very moved as you were when President Bush calmly recounted the facts of what happened with your loved ones over this field a decade ago. There has always been a special place in the common memory for people who deliberately, knowingly, certainly laid down their lives for other people to live.

President Bush is from Texas, and I sometimes think because I grew up in Arkansas that's the more important difference between us than our partisan differences.

(LAUGHTER)

CLINTON: But every child I grew up with was raised on a memory of the Alamo, the defining story of Texas. Why? Because those people knew they were going to die. But the time they bought and the casualties they inflicted in the cause of freedom allowed the whole idea of Texas to survive. And those who live there now to enjoy the life they do.

The first such great story I have been able to find that reminds me of all your loved ones, however, occurred almost 2,500 years ago. When the Greek king of Sparta facing a massive, massive Persian army took 300 of his finest soldiers to a narrow pass called Thermopylae. There were thousands upon thousands upon thousands of people. They all knew they were going to die. He told them that when they went. And the enemy said we're going to fill the air with so many arrows that it will be dark. And the Spartans said, fine, we will fight in the shade. And they all died.

But the casualties they took and the time they bought saved the people they loved. This is something different. For at the Alamo and at Thermopylae, they were soldiers, they knew what they had to do. Your loved ones just happen to be on a plane.

With almost no time to decide, they gave the entire country an incalculable gift. They saved the capitol from attack. They saved god knows how many lives. They saved the terrorists from claiming the symbolic victory of smashing the center of American government. And they did it as citizens.

They allowed us to survive as a country that could fight terror and still maintain liberty and still welcome people from all over the world from every religion and race and culture as long as they shared our values, because ordinary people given no time at all to decide did the right thing. And 2,500 years from now, I hope and pray to god that people will still remember this.

(APPLAUSE)

CLINTON: So, since I am no longer in office, I can do unpopular things.

(LAUGHTER)

CLINTON: I told the secretary of the interior, the head of your development program, that I was aghast to find out that we still need to raise $10 million to finish this place. And Speaker Boehner and I have already volunteered to do a bipartisan event in Washington.

Let's get this show on the road. Let's roll. Thank you and god bless you.

(APPLAUSE)

JOHN REYNOLDS, CHAIRMAN, FEDERAL ADVISORY FOR THE FLIGHT 93 MEMORIAL: President Clinton, thank you. You know, it feels a bit like the rabbit who wanders in to the territory of eagles to speak after these folks here.

(LAUGHTER)

But the difference is, the eagles are friends, they're friends of every one of us here. Thank you, each and every one of you.

My name is John Reynolds. I'm the chairman of the Federal Advisory Commission for the Flight 93 National Memorial. My colleagues and associates on the commission are interspersed amongst all of us here today.

It's my pleasure to represent an incredible partnership and its focused and constant attention and action over the last decade. It's a partnership that is mostly invisible and unknown except to a few, yet it created a vision coming to fruition here as a result of its diversity and commitment. It has created this national memorial, this national park.

In a formal sense, the partnership consists of five groups. They are the families for Flight 93, family members of the 40 heroes, the Flight 93 task force composed of family members, local people from Shanksville, Somerset County, Pittsburgh, the commonwealth, and others. They were the original group of citizens who imagined a national memorial here, worked to consensus, and took action to convince the Congress and President Bush to act.

The Flight 93 advisory commission is the direct link between everyone else and the department of interior and the national park service. It's made up of 15 people representing the local community, the families, philanthropic, corporate, and national interests, and nationally recognized public historians.

The National Park Foundation, the national fundraising arm of the partnership, and the National Park Service, the keeper of the nation's most important heritage from Yellowstone to the Statue of Liberty, from Concorde and Lexington to Manassas and Shiloh to here, all for we the people to enjoy, to reflect upon, and to learn about our nation.

These partners, however, barely reflect the many people who have given of themselves to arrive at today. They include the Flight 93 ambassadors, local people who took it upon themselves to help visitors starting within days of 9/11.

(APPLAUSE)

First responders and the coroner, the newly formed friends of Flight 93, all of you please join. Volunteers, contractors, consultants, public office holders, government employees, construction workers and governors, generals, cabinet members, senators, congressmen, presidents, and first ladies, plus over 75,000 individuals who have donated their money to create this memorial and the over 1,000 people and firms who shared their vision in an international design competition.

This outpouring has been and continues to be a truly American undertaking. No one asks except to be friendly, who are you, where are you from, why are you here, how come you care? All that is asked is sincerity. The result stands before us today. The people have done this.

Paul and Melina Murdoch, formally and beautifully designed what we see here today and what is left to come. Their real genius, though, is that they joined a chorus of our partnership of people, listened to it, and to the land and to the sky, and played back their souls to create this representation of thanks, honor, and spirit of the 40 heroes of Flight 93 who acted together, fought back, prayed, gave their lives for us all and our nation.

The heroes lie there by that big, solid stone. They stand tall, mute, and solid, speaking to us forever in these 40 panels. Each named, each equal, yet as evidenced in the unique veining in each marble slice individuals, who knowingly chose, voted, and then took action to avert an even greater American tragedy. They are the courage of free peoples everywhere. They are our past, they are our future.

This place is the people's gift to America, a national park and a national memorial for as long as this nation shall live. It is my great and humble honor to present this memorial on behalf of the people of this wonderful partnership to all of the people of the United States of America. Will all of you please follow Mr. Jarvis. Thank you very much.

(APPLAUSE) (MUSIC)

(APPLAUSE)

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Ladies and gentlemen, my fellow Americans, I'm honored to be standing here today. Standing with two former presidents.

President Clinton, as he said, the passengers on Flight 93 knew that our common humanity is what united us most. Well, Mr. President, the same can be said of you. You've spent your time as president deeply committed to embracing and strengthening our common humanity.

(APPLAUSE)

BIDEN: Mr. President, we all thank you for what you've done and what you continue to do.

Let me also recognize the man responsible for bringing our country together at a time when it could have been torn apart, for making it clear that America could not be brought to her knees, and helping us stand tall and strike back, President George W. Bush.

(APPLAUSE)

BIDEN: In the darkest hour of our generation, your voice and leadership, Mr. President, helped us find our way. And for that, you deserve our gratitude for a long, long time.

(APPLAUSE)

BIDEN: And I say now to the families who gather here today, I know what it's like to receive that call out of the blue like a bolt out of the blue. And I know this is a bittersweet moment for you. And I want to tell you, you have a lot more courage than I had. You have a lot more courage just by being here today because I know and many others know how hard it is to relive these moments because it brings everything, it brings everything back in stark, stark relief and stark detail.

But I also know like your loved ones that you probably don't know is that you are literally an inspiration to the thousands of people across this country right now are feeling the loss of an intense tragedy that they're suffering.

They know looking at you, watching you on television today, that there's hope to be found after tragedy, that's there's rebirth in the face of death. You in a sense are as courageous as your family members were, and we owe you all for being here today, just the act of being here.

(APPLAUSE)

BIDEN: We're here today to remember and honor 40 men and women who gave their lives so others could live theirs, decent, honorable, women and men who never imagined 10 years ago tomorrow that when they said good-bye to their children, when they kissed their loved ones good-bye and walked through that door that they were doing it for the very last time. They didn't know the horror that awaited them, but they confronted unimaginable fear and terror with a courage that has been summoned only by the truest and the rarest of American heroes.

Forty names etched on each of those panels on the wall, the wall of names. But more than that, their names are going to be, as President Bush, said etched forever into American history. They joined an incredibly elite list of women and men and a long history filled with ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things, men and women of undaunted courage, uncommon resolve, and a stubborn, stubborn perseverance in the face of unfathomable challenges.

You know, we teach our children that these are qualities that are engrained into our national character as Americans, and I believe they are. They animate our national identity. And I believe they'll continue to define America because of the example of the men and women who we pay tribute today, the passengers, and the crew on Flight 93.

None of them asked for what happened. They didn't go on that plane, they didn't board that plane to fight a war. But when they heard the news, when they found out what happened in New York, they knew that they were going through something more than a hijacking. They knew it was the opening shot in a new war.

And so they acted, they acted as citizen patriots have acted since the beginning of our country. They stood up and they stood their ground. They thought, like Captain Parker said at Lexington, and I quote him, "If they mean to have a war, let it begin here."

As many times as I recall, and all of you who are not family members like me have recalled this incident time and again over the last ten years, I never fail to be astonished, literally astonished by the courage they demonstrated.

And so we stand where it began. We think of them, we think of our nation, we think of our history, and we think of the future. And we think of it because of them with a confidence knowing that ordinary citizens will continue to stare down fear, overwhelm evil, and bring forth hope from what seems to be none.

And although it'll continue to amaze us and inspire us when it happens, it should not surprise us. For that heroism is who we are, and that courage lies deepest and beats loudest in the heart of this nation. We know that these 40 men and women were more than ordinary Americans to all of you sitting in front of me. They were more than passengers and crews. They were already heroes. They were already heroes to you. They were the father that tucked you in bed at night. They were the wife who knew your fears before you even expressed them. They were the brother who lifted you up. They were the daughter who made you laugh. And they were the son who made you proud.

They're irreplaceable. I know that. We know that. And we know and I know that no memorial, no words, no acts can fill the void that they left in your hearts. My prayer for you is that ten years later, their memory is able to bring a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eye. And I hope you take comfort in knowing that a grateful nation understands that your loved ones gave their lives in pursuit of the noblest of earthly goals -- defending their country, defending their families, and sacrificing their lives so we could live ours.

Those of us who were in Washington that day without knowing for sure at the time now know we owe them an overwhelming, special, personal, personal debt of gratitude. The collective spirit of your mother, your father, your brother, your husband, your wife, your sister, your best friend, that spirit lives on not only in you, but in your country. It lives on in the cross of steel made from the world trade center beams placed in the Pentagon-shaped platform that rest proudly outside the Shanksville volunteer fire department.

(APPLAUSE)

BIDEN: That cross of steel is an endearing symbol of the spine of this region and the spine of this country. And it definitely lives on in the new generation of warriors, the 9/11 generation. Inspired by what happened here, 2.8 million young Americans since 9/11, that 9/11 generation, have joined the United States armed forces, thousands giving their lives and tens of thousands being wounded to finish the war that began here.

Maya Angelou wrote, and I quote, "History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, however, if faced with courage, need not be lived again." Ladies and gentlemen, we are not here to unlive history. We are here to honor those whose courage made history and is going to inspire generations of Americans to come.

So I say to you, even as we struggle with this tragedy, even as we grapple with the profound loss and devastating grief, we can look up at the heavens and think of those heroes and know, and know with certitude that there's not a single solitary tragedy that America cannot overcome. There is not a single moment of hardship that cannot be transformed into one of national strength. The seeds of doubt planted by those who wish to harm us that grow into flowering meadows like this one where we stand today, for they cannot, they cannot defeat the American spirit.

We know this with certainty. We know this with certainty because of the history and journey of this country at every stage of our history.

(APPLAUSE)

BIDEN: As President Clinton used to note, my mother used to say courage lies in every heart. And she'd go on to say, "And the expectation is that, Joey, one day it will be summoned." Courage lies in every heart, and one day it will be summoned.

On September 11th, 2001 at 9:57 a.m., it was summoned, and 40 incredible men and women answered the call. They gave their lives, and in doing so gave this country a new life. We owe them. We owe you a debt we can never repay.

Thank you all. Thank you, family members. And may god bless you and may god protect our troops.

(APPLAUSE)

WHITFIELD: Vice president Joe Biden along with former president George Bush and Bill Clinton all commemorating this Flight 93 National Memorial dedication.

Also, just moments ago, the unveiling of the Wall of Names, 40 names etched there -- there's the wall right there -- etched representing those aboard Flight 93.

Our John King is also there in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. And as we go to John momentarily, you're also going to hear the music of Sarah McLaughlin.

All right, John, this is a very poignant bringing together of three administrations all clearly talking about how each administration has been touched by the tragedy, these three planes that caused devastation in New York, Pennsylvania, and in Washington, and together how these administrations and as America as a whole have been committed since that point of a certain level of unity.

JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, remarkable ceremony. It continues with the music, as you know, Sarah McLaughlin, a very moving day. It rained here for days, and they were talking yesterday of having to cancel this ceremony because they were expecting more bad weather. Look at this day. It's a beautiful sun- drenched moment at this remarkably hallow place.

The Wall of Names unveiled. It was President Clinton during his administration that the World Trade Center was first attacked by Al Qaeda. President Bush, of course, our president on September 11, and Vice President Biden representing President Obama will come here tomorrow on 9/11 as the ceremonies and the remembrances continue.

Very emotional remarks. Look at this simple memorial, but it is so poignant -- 40 panels, the names etched in, in this remote spot, coal country, a former farm field. It is so simple and yet so solemn and elegant in its own way, Fred, as you watch it, 40 heroes. And we knew they were heroes. The Flight 93 has always been a bit of the heroic legacy of that horrific day of 9/11. But to be reminded, these 40 people charged a cockpit. They took back a plane that was aiming toward Washington. Was it the White House? Was it the capitol? The capitol most likely intelligence officials think.

And 40 people died in a fire ball in this field. How many did they save? As President Clinton noted, what did they deny the terrorists the trophy they wanted, hitting some center of American government power in Washington, D.C."

So just a remarkable day. All three of those leaders, President Clinton, Democrat, President Bush, Republican, Vice President Biden, Democrat, also in their remarks, trying, yearning openly for the political unity the community spirit the country had in the days of 9/11, as you know from our other conversations and other news stories in recent days, absent completely from Washington these days in the fights over spending and all of that.

So on this day as we remember these heroes, people trying to revive, if you will, the country's spirit just after 9/11. And just finally as we remember this place tomorrow obviously we will be at the ground zero and the Pentagon, as well.

I think what makes this so special, 40 people died here, 40 heroes died here, they remain here, Fred. The crash was so intense, there was so much fuel on that plane because it was supposed to fly to the West Coast, they couldn't recover the body. This was not just a memorial. Those stone pillars are not the only way those names, those heroes are still here. They are buried here. And it's what makes this not just a solemn memorial, a really hallowed place. And it is somehow almost in the middle of nowhere in this rural community. But it is now -- I'm so touched to be here, a remarkable piece of our history.

WHITFIELD: And John, you mentioned political unity and a sense of a commitment toward trying to get that political unity. We heard from former president Clinton who said he and Republican John Boehner already forged something of the like by coming together and agreeing on a bipartisan committee to reach toward a point of getting that $10 million it's going to need to finish that memorial there to pay for it.

KING: And it's a symbolic step, but those two gentlemen can raise a lot of money. And part of the $10 million they want here is to build a tower. The tower will be 93 feet tall, Flight 93, of course, 40 wind chimes, one of each of the victims. They want to put it on the hillside. And that a great step of unity there.

We'll be back, Fred, we'll be talking in the days to come. And we're heading into the campaign. We're already in the early days of the 2012 campaign. Are we going back to the days of 9/11 of complete unity? Of course not. But can there be a lesson maybe in those speeches in the commitment from President Clinton and Speaker Boehner and in the reflection we will all have over the next couple of days that maybe we can find that common ground? Let's hope.

WHITFIELD: Let's hope. All right, thank you, John king. John will continue to be with us throughout the weekend.

CNN looking back 10 years later after 9/11. More live coverage of remembrance events beginning tomorrow morning, beginning at 6:00 a.m., and then again resuming in other fashion at 8:00 a.m. right here on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Republican presidential hopefuls head south on Monday night. CNN hosts the Tea Party Republican debate from the Florida state fairgrounds. And CNN deputy political director Paul Steinhauser is already there with a sneak peek over what's to come. So Paul, first off, why is this day so special? Why is it different from other presidential debates?

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: I think, Fred, because of the Tea Party connection. CNN's teaming up with the Tea Party Express and other groups to put on this debate. And of course I think it's fair to say that the Tea Party movement, the activists were extremely influential last year in the Republican primaries and also in the midterm elections. Republicans won back control of the House of Representatives, partially because of strong support from the Tea Party. And most people say the Tea Party movement will have a big impact on the battle for the Republican nomination.

Monday night here at the state fairgrounds, Wolf Blitzer is going to be on the stage asking questions of the eight candidates, but so will Tea Party activists here in Tampa and at three locations around the country.

What are some of the issues? Of course economy and jobs, Fred. That's on everybody's mind. But also issues very important to Tea Party activists. Issues like the budget deficit and cutting deficit spending.

You also may hear a lot about Social Security. We saw Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and Rick Perry as there was debate in California go after each other on Social Security. It's an important issue especially here in Florida, as well. Fred, back to you.

WHITFIELD: Paul Steinhauser, thanks so much. We'll be watching. Be sure to tune in Monday night at CNN. The Tea Party Express and other Tea Party groups co-host the Republican candidates' debate. It's in Tampa, Florida, the site of the GOP national convention Monday, 8:00 eastern, the debate, that is.

Pennsylvania now. A zoo has to make a terrible choice after rising flood water trapped animals and they begin to panic.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: In New York and Pennsylvania, high water that chased people from their homes is finally starting to recede. Nine deaths are blamed on the flooding, which was triggered by remnants of tropical storm Lee.

And then a horrifying scene at a Hershey, Pennsylvania, Zoo as rising waters trapped two bison there, and they were actually shot to spare them from drowning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MINDY BIANCA, SPOKESWOMAN, ZOOAMERICA: It looks like the animals were panicking. The two bison that were in the enclosure, their heads were barely above water. And they were panicking.

(END VIDEO CLIP) WHITFIELD: That is so sad.

And with water levels dropping, people now are waiting for the evacuation order to be lifted, as well. CNN's John Zarrella is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. So John, what is the latest on when people are able to get back to their homes?

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, they're going to have to wait until this water goes down. A lot of folks have come back into this neighborhood. The Susquehanna River is back in its banks. This is the historic district. As you can see, there's still a lot of standing water here, Fredricka. Take a look here on this landing. All covered in mud. The water came up actually here, right up in here. So, you know, it would have been about chest high on me.

I'm going to take a walk over here, if I can. The water, Fredricka, has an oily sheen on it. It really is -- it smells, terrible smell to it. It's absolutely polluted. And Tony is going to join me. And Tony, a renovated church back who are you turned into a home. That's your place?

TONY SANGREY, RESIDENT: Yes.

ZARRELLA: How many feet of water in there?

SANGREY: We had about three feet inside on the sanctuary floor.

ZARRELLA: Three feet? Did you lose a lot of stuff?

SANGREY: No, being down here, you have about 48 hours notice, so you get your possessions.

ZARRELLA: You knew the water was coming up?

SANGREY: Yes. It came a lot faster than expected, but --

ZARRELLA: Last quick question -- insurance, you're OK?

SANGREY: Yep, flood insurance covers it.

ZARRELLA: Most of the people here, Fredricka, most of them have to have flood insurance because this area is notorious for flooding. And so that's the one piece of good news. But again here, it's going to be several days and absolutely weeks if not months before they can get all of this cleaned up. Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: Yes, that is the worst, trying to clean up after that flooding. And even when you feel like, great, my house is standing, it's going to be filled with so much mud and muck that very little is ever salvageable. John Zarrella, thank you so much --

ZARRELLA: Tear it all out.

WHITFIELD: Yes. Thanks so much.

(WEATHER BREAK) WHITFIELD: As the nation reflects on those awful events, terror of September 11, thousands of U.S. troops deployed overseas are doing that, as well. How they will be marking the anniversary in Afghanistan, next.

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