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Plane Crashes into Spectators; Controversial Death Penalty Case; U.S. Hikers Could Go Free Soon; Communicate by Blinking; Arsenic in Apple Juice; Hudson: Link Between Hunger, Obesity; From Fighting to Farming; NTSB News Conference
Aired September 17, 2011 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: You're in the CNN NEWSROOM, where the news unfolds live this Saturday, September 17th. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.
A frightening plane crash caught on tape at an air race in Reno, Nevada. The pilot, Jimmy Leeward, and two people on the ground were killed. Dozens more were injured. Witnesses say could it have been much worse. They credit Leeward with maneuvering his P-51 Mustang away from the crowd and grandstands just seconds before impact.
Our Dan Simon is there - Dan.
DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fred.
We're expecting a news conference in the next 15 minutes where hopefully we'll get some more information from federal investigators as they comb through the wreckage looking for clues in terms of what brought that plane down.
In the meantime, I want to introduce you to another eyewitness. This is Betsy Murphy, who is a nurse from West Virginia.
Betsy, you were about 150 yards away. Can - can you tell me what you saw?
BETSY MURPHY, WITNESS: Well, I was a little bit further away. I was more far - in the pits area, and, at the point, I did not see the - the actual impact. At the - what I had heard was an all call for medical personnel as they were asking for people to leave.
So I responded, and when I got on - on the scene, they were quickly - it was in just a couple of minutes from my time to get to the area. They already had the people triaged, they were - already had the ambulances available. They had the situation pretty well under control.
They still had people that were looking for families and friends, people were still in shock, and so they were still trying to get people out of the area. But, as far as emergency responders, they had the situation pretty well under control.
SIMON: And that's why we wanted to talk to you, because you're a nurse back home in - in West Virginia. You came here on vacation to - to see the - the races.
MURPHY: Right.
SIMON: And you - you chipped in to help, essentially.
MURPHY: Exactly. They had asked for all medical personnel, and so - I believe that there were others that - that responded to the - to the call as well. And you just - you just went in and kind of helped out as you could.
SIMON: What we've heard thus far, and it hasn't been updated for some time, is that there were three people confirmed dead, 50 people or so taken away from the scene. Can you give me a range in terms of the kinds of injuries you saw?
MURPHY: Well, the bulk of the injuries would have been from a lot of cuts, lacerations from the flying shrapnel, from the plane from - on the impact. So that was the bulk of the injury.
SIMON: And the plane, you - you couldn't really see - see much wreckage, correct?
MURPHY: No. It was in smaller pieces at that point, and it was scattered. So that was - that was the cause of the injuries.
SIMON: All right. Betsy Murphy, thanks very much.
Fred, one of the things that - that we hope we'll get more information about is this - this growing speculation that a piece of the plane actually dislodged mid-flight, what's called the elevator trim tab. I've seen pictures of this taken by - by one photographer that clearly shows something that - that came off of that plane. There's some speculation that it was in fact this trim tab, that keeps it stable, and hopefully investigators will - will address that in a little while when we're expected to have this news conference again in about 15 minutes from now - Fred.
WHITFIELD: All right. We'll look forward to that. Thank you so much, Dan Simon, there in Reno.
So pilot Jimmy Leeward was a veteran flyer. The 74-year-old Florida real estate developer even worked as a stunt pilot for the movies. Leeward flew stunt scenes in "The Tuskegee Airmen" and in "Amelia."
He had taken part in the Nevada air race for 36 years. So, days before the crash, he actually expressed confidence about how he would do.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIMMY LEEWARD, PILOT KILLED IN RENO AIR RACE CRASH: Right now, I think we've calculated out, we're as - we're as fast as anybody in the field and - or maybe even a little faster. But, to start with, we really didn't want to show our hand until about Saturday or Sunday.
(END VIDEO CLIP) WHITFIELD: Again, sadly, pilot Leeward died in that crash. A memorial that was scheduled for Leeward in Reno today has now been cancelled.
All right, take a closer look at this photograph, the photograph of Leeward's P-51mustang taken just before the crash. It's getting a whole lot of attention right now.
That circled area right there, you will notice that there is a piece missing. That elevator trim tab that our Dan Simon was talking about.
Steve Cowell is an aviation safety consultant in Denver and knows Jimmy Leeward as well. So, Steve, you know, first of all, I know this is very difficult to talk about the examination of this plane just hours after a man that you knew died.
STEVE COWELL, AVIATION SAFETY CONSULTANT: Well, it is very difficult. Jimmy and I had met several years ago at the International Council of Air Shows. Our connection was through the "Tuskegee Airmen." My airplane, that I flew in air shows, was utilized by those men during World War II, he, of course, flew in the movie.
WHITFIELD: All right. So now let's talk about what took place just prior to that crash taking place. The plane that Leeward was on - let's look at that photograph one more time and examine what perhaps a lot of aviation experts are now examining as well, this elevator trim tab, the area that's circled there. Apparently, it is missing.
And you heard from that one interview earlier who said it may have come off at some point from takeoff, and then being in the air and then plunging.
Explain how vital this piece is to that tail and what it generally would control?
COWELL: What the elevator trim tab will do is it will relieve the control pressures from the pilot so the pilot isn't always having to pull back or push forward on the stick. He can adjust that - that tab so that he has a neutral feel for the aircraft in any particular configuration, whether you're going straight, turning, climbing, or descending.
WHITFIELD: And this may break off at perhaps take off. If that were the case then clearly there was some sort of fatigue, perhaps, on that tail.
These planes are inspected many times over. What would they be looking for if there was any way of preventing this kind of break off?
COWELL: Well, first and foremost they're going to be looking at the logbooks of the airplane. They have a record of all of the inspections.
The next thing they're going to be talking to will be the mechanics that were involved in inspecting the airplane prior to Jimmy taking off. In addition, they're going to be looking for anything else amongst all the pieces that may have contributed to the cause of this accident.
WHITFIELD: And that this would take place at a very popular race, you saw that there were so many people there, three people died, including the pilot. Clearly, it could have been much worse, too. It was just an issue of where it made impact, narrowly missing the grandstand area.
COWELL: Well, that's correct.
Now, the grandstands are actually about a quarter of a mile from the racecourse. The racecourse for the P-51 Mustang is denoted by pylons, and it's about an eight mile course because of the speed of the aircraft.
The crowd is kept at a very safe distance, much more than the required distance by the FAA.
WHITFIELD: All right. And - and so you don't in any way question the safety of air shows such as this?
COWELL: Absolutely not. Air shows are just a wonderful form of entertainment, and where safety is absolutely paramount, not only to the crowd but of course to the performers.
WHITFIELD: All right, Steve Cowell, thanks so much for your expertise.
And of course we're monitoring the NTSB news conference that is expected to get underway just minutes from now. And then, later on this hour, we'll be talking to one man who was there when that plane crashed. His eyewitness account at 3:45 Eastern Time.
All right, other news now. Today, Ted Kennedy's only daughter has died. Kara Kennedy was 51 years old.
She's seen here in 2009, accepting her father's Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama. She died of a heart attack yesterday after a workout at a Washington area health club.
And another prominent death in the news to report to you, former U.S. Senator Charles Percy. The moderate Illinois Republican served in the Senate for nearly 20 years and eventually became the chairman of the powerful Foreign Relations Committee. In recent years, he was battling Alzheimer's Disease.
Percy died today at a Washington, D.C. hospice. He was 91 years old.
New York State Police are looking for a missing soldier they say is armed and dangerous. Russell Marcum escaped from military custody at Fort Drum Thursday night. The 20-year-old is accused of burglary.
And a ground swell of support for a Georgia man set to be executed on Wednesday. Forty-two-year-old Troy Davis insists that he did not kill a Savannah policeman back in 1989.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) WHITFIELD (voice-over): Rally supporting Davis are being held around the world this weekend, including this one in Atlanta. Several witnesses who pointed to Davis as the shooter have recanted their testimony, but the victim's mother still thinks that Davis is guilty and she says that she has been waiting for justice too long.
ANNELIESA MACPHAIL, MOTHER OF MURDERED POLICE OFFICER: It has been hell, because I want to like - I would like to have some peace. I would like to have this situation over with.
We are the victims, and, those people that recanted, why did they wait 17 years before they recanted? They should have done it, if they felt that way, earlier, not when the final - final time is coming now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Supporters of Troy Davis are calling on the State Board of Pardons and Paroles to grant clemency.
And we're keeping our ears and eyes open regarding Iran today, expecting to hear at any time now whether two American citizens convicted of being spies will actually be released today. We're talking about Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal. They have been locked up in Iran for two years now.
Let's go live now to CNN's Mohammed Jamjoom. He is in Oman today. Mohammed, any news on their release?
MOHAMMED JAMJOOM, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, still a lot of questions, even at this hour. There's been nothing definitive from the judiciary in Iran as to whether the two hikers will be released today, actually this evening here in this part of the world.
Now, all day we've been speaking to the lawyer for Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, and he had indicated that he was feeling very positive, very optimistic about the prospect of his clients' release today. Why was he feeling so positive about it? He told us that he went to the court earlier today, that he learned that one judge had actually signed the documents saying that the bail had been posted for his clients and that all that remained in this procedure was for another judge to sign those documents and that that should be done at any time.
At this stage, we don't yet know if it's been done. We don't yet know how much the bail exactly was that was posted, and when exactly they will be released. There is still a lot of speculation that they could be released any time in the coming hours, a lot of people very interested in this case, trying to make sure that they are released.
And the reason that we're here in Muscat, Oman is because last year, when Sarah Shourd, the third hiker who was detained along with Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, when was released, the first stop after she left Iran was here in Oman, because the Omanis had arranged for her bail. The Omanis sometimes act as mediator between Iran and the U.S. in disputes, and there's a lot of speculation that right now they are trying to secure the release of the two remaining hikers who were still in prison at this hour - Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Mohammed Jamjoom, thanks so much.
All right, a Beatle takes a bride again. Details are emerging about Sir Paul McCartney's wedding plans. Who is this bride to be? We'll let you know, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Some headlines now overseas.
We've been watching two straight days of violent protests in Bahrain. Crowds of furious anti-government demonstrators filled the streets during and after the funeral of a man believed killed by riot police tear gas.
And then, Paul McCartney making it official that he is getting married again. McCartney and his fiancee reportedly filed paperwork yesterday at the same town hall where he and Linda McCartney married back in 1969.
The bride to be is Nancy Shevell, an American. His third marriage, her second.
And you think the Germans know how to throw a beer festival? Well, well, check out Oktoberfest, Phillipine style. That is 1,200 beer mugs stacked up right there, stacked up to 30 feet tall, to kick off a nationwide celebration of food and drink and festivities.
All right, walk very carefully around that beer mug pyramid, or else it will all come tumbling down.
All right, using a computer or smartphone might be easy for you, but for thousands of disabled people these are tools that they just can't use. Now, one company is helping them communicate by blinking.
Gary Tuchman has this week's "Technovations."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Drew Miller was 43, with no major health issues, until ALS limited his ability to speak and move. Now, though, he's able to communicate and connect online with the blink of an eye.
BARBARA BARCLAY, TOBII: Eye tracking is revolutionizing life for people with disabilities. Now they have a communication tool. They can take part in social media.
TUCHMAN: For Drew and people with similar disabilities, eye tracking technology is a huge part of their lives, and it could become a part of everyone's sooner than you think. New computers allow you to flip through folders, scan over maps, even select music with a glance of your eye.
BARCLAY: In the next five to 10 years, eye tracking technology will be in almost every device you use on a day-to-day basis.
TUCHMAN: Which could mean using your eyes to adjust settings in your car, scroll through the Web, and even play games.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ah, yes.
TUCHMAN: It looks like a lot of fun, but it can also give insight to how we think.
BARCLAY: So many things about the way your eyes move is related to how your brain is working.
TUCHMAN: It's also helping doctors spot early developmental problems in children, and rehabilitate people with traumatic brain injuries.
It's the technology of tomorrow with advantages you can see today.
Gary Tuchman, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: And you want to live a healthy life, so are you eating the healthiest foods on the planet?
Take a look at these top foods from "Fitness" magazine. Number 10, beans; nine, spinach; number eight, garlic; seven, avocados; number six, walnuts.
The top five, when we come right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, we're talking healthy eating for a healthy lifestyle. "Fitness" magazine is out with its top 10 healthiest foods on the planet, and we listed five of them before the break, so here are the top five. Chew on this.
Number five, salmon; potatoes; number four (sic), dark chocolates - my producer's favorite on the list. Mine two. Number two, broccoli; and, number one, lemons. That sucks. Maybe not.
All right, there's a lot of talk and blog chatter this week surrounding the possibility of arsenic in apple juice. It's the concern Dr. Oz highlighted on his show, but then his former classmate and colleague, Dr. Richard Besser, called him on the carpet Thursday on ABC's "Good Morning America". Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DR. MEHMET OZ, PROFESSOR OF SURGERY, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY: We had some concerns about arsenic in apple juice, not because we thought about it but other groups, independent of ours, over the last three years have been publishing reports about this.
I have to call into question some of the assumptions that you're making. First off, you claim that most of the arsenic in apple juice is of the organic type, but that is not true. One - the only peer review study that I looked at that evaluated high levels of arsenic, which was published from the University of Arizona in 2009, showed most of the arsenic was actually of the inorganic -
DR. RICHARD BESSER, CHIEF HEALTH AND MEDICAL EDITOR, ABC NEWS: Mehmet, Mehmet, I have to interrupt you there. I'm sorry.
How can you go on the air and publish arsenic results without breaking it down into total - into inorganic and organic, into the dangerous kind and then - and the kind that's not - not dangerous? Any food lab that does testing does total first and then looks to see is it harmful.
How can you tell people that this is harmful without even doing those tests? And how can you do testing in just in one lab without getting those - those results confirmed by other labs? No good scientist would ever do that kind of work.
OZ: I disagree, Rich. You know, we looked at the total arsenic levels -
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: OK. That was quite the argument. So what do we need to know about arsenic and the difference between organic and inorganic arsenic is the subject of our weekly look at how to get and stay healthy.
Dr. Bill Lloyd is a forensics trained pathologist. He is in San Diego now.
So, for those who may not have seen the program in question, could you summarize the controversy concerning arsenic contamination or at least that it's included, to some degree, in some apple juices.
DR. BILL LLOYD, HEALTHY LIVING EXPERT: Sure, Fred.
What he was saying was that in bottles - packaged bottles of imported apple juice made from concentrate, that there were dangerous levels of arsenic present within the apple juice. But that's where Dr. Bessler got on top of him. They claim that the arsenic came from contaminated water that was added to the mix, and in many parts of the world, natural water may be contaminated with this inorganic arsenic.
Here's where the problem comes, though. Dr. Oz reported kind of inaccurate or incomplete test results. He reported a number called total arsenic, and total arsenic is made up of that dangerous inorganic and the not dangerous organic arsenic, and that's what Dr. Bessler was going after him for.
Meanwhile, the FDA got whiff of this and they did their own test, Fredricka, on the exact, same batches of apple juice, and they said -
WHITFIELD: What did they find?
LLOYD: -- not so fast. Wait a minute. The levels are far lower than you said, and in fact so low -
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: Of total?
LLOYD: -- test for the inorganic -
WHITFIELD: OK, far lower -
LLOYD: To totals were so low, we're not even going test.
WHITFIELD: OK, far - very low of the total arsenic or very low of arsenic? Maybe not the inorganic.
LLOYD: The FDA said - the FDA said, hey Dr. Oz, you reported total - you report a number of 36. We've repeated all the tests and the total number is actually somewhere down between three and six, which is very safe and so low we're not even going to test for the inorganic.
And - and they went back to a second laboratory, and the point about that is whenever you get an unexpected high level on any kind of test, reorder the test, and reorder it from some other place. That's exactly what the FDA did, and they found the numbers were so low we couldn't even measure. We weren't even going bother to measure the dangerous inorganic -
WHITFIELD: So where are - where are some of the places that we find organic arsenic? We're saying this is kind of the safe arsenic.
LLOYD: Sure. Arsenic itself, of course, is an element that's present in the soil, in our water and in our air. When it combines with compounds like chlorine and sulphur, that's when it becomes the dangerous inorganic arsenic. It's a poison at that point and it can kill cells throughout the body.
The damage that comes from inorganic arsenic occurs over months to years. It's cumulative damage. It can affect the bone marrow, where you make your blood cells; it can affect the skin, your kidneys, and also cause nerve damage.
A lot of inorganic, at very high dose over a short period of time, could be lethal. We know, though, that mostly inorganic arsenic is a danger because it's a carcinogen. It could cause cancer in many different organs of the body.
WHITFIELD: OK. Well, Dr. Oz went to the air waves one more time. He talked to our T.J. Holmes, and this is what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OZ: We have shared our methodology and the laboratory information. Again, it's all on our set. We've given to it the FDA, we have given it to the apple juice industry.
Please, I just want to have the conversation. What I don't want to have folks decide on their own, oh, it's too complicated for me to figure out, because it's not. American apples don't have arsenic on them. Please, someone tell me, why we banned arsenic on our apples and we're still taking apples from other countries into this nation?
And in someone ought to at least be looking at the border once in while to figure out if what we're getting is really what it's supposed to be because they're - some companies do not have arsenic in their apple juice, others do. So there's got to be some methodology to figure this out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: So, Dr. Bill, what's the takeaway then? Should we, you know, feel comfortable with grabbing that bottle of apple juice from concentrate or fresh, otherwise? What do we do?
LLOYD: Fredricka, I've been to enough - I've been to enough medical conference to see when a doctor has been called out for inaccurate facts and they begin the puppet show. They begin the tap dance.
So he's shifting attention now away from the water that was contaminating the concentrate, now he's talking about contaminated apples. It's all bogus and no one should be afraid to drink apple juice.
There's a very extensive program in this country, and the FDA has done a wonderful job protecting the sources of food that we enjoy throughout the country. So everyone should enjoy their apple juice and not be concerned about any potential hazard from arsenic.
WHITFIELD: Something told me you were going to take a sip.
All right, Dr. Bill Lloyd, cheers, I guess. Thanks so much. Appreciate it.
LLOYD: We'll talk again soon.
WHITFIELD: All right. Thank you.
All right, how does Jennifer Hudson feel about losing 80 pounds? She says she's prouder of that than she is of her Academy Award. My conversation with her, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Jennifer Hudson isn't just a powerhouse singer and an Academy Award winning actress, she's also a spokesperson for Weight Watchers, and recently she has been speaking out about the connection between obesity and hunger.
Earlier this week I talked to Hudson and the CEO of Weight Watchers, David Kirchhoff. I first asked Hudson what inspired her to go from size 16 to size zero.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JENNIFER HUDSON, SINGER/ACTRESS: A huge part of it for me just like the lose it campaign is about helping the children be healthy and, you know, things like that and making sure they are eating at the same time. And I wanted to set an example for my son, to be honest. That was a huge part of it. After being pregnant also, and wanting my body back and knowing like, well, I could do whatever I want to do with it. And then, again, like I said, having the child and wanting to be table set an example for him which I did not have growing up.
So, I wanted him to have a fair shot and fair chance. You know, if nothing else he knew, he had that example. And so, that's what inspired me to do it.
WHITFIELD: So now as America tries to digest these numbers about obesity and hunger, and that the obesity rates are climbing as are the numbers in hunger -- too many families, too many children are going hungry, how do you think America should be tackling this? What's the problem here?
HUDSON: Well, they should definitely tackle it. Nobody should be hungry. And, again, that's the great part of Weight Watchers while we're losing somebody else is gaining. We know somebody sells eating because, you know, things are given from that and so that makes, that inspires us that much more.
But it's definitely something we should tackle and it's no reason why we can't help each other.
WHITFIELD: And, David, you know, a lot of people have a hard time understanding how is it do you have obesity at the same time you have hunger in some of the very communities, you know, and segments of our population that are dealing with an overweight problem, there's also the issue of hunger.
DAVID KIRCHHOFF, PRES., CEO WEIGHT WATCHERS: Yes. I mean, it is -- it is one of the great paradoxes we have two significant health issues in this country which is, one is obesity, which is driving chronic disease. And the second is poverty, of which statistics just came out very recently that shows how bad that's gotten. And, ironically, those who have the fewest means are left to purchase the cheapest calories and too often the cheapest are those things that are heavy in added sugars and fats.
So, you have this sad effect that obesity is generally at its worse with low-income communities.
WHITFIELD: And understand that, you know, Weight Watchers donates a dollar to a group that works to fight hunger in America with every pound a member actually loses. Explain to me how that works and how that will benefit a lot of people.
KIRCHHOFF: Lose for Good, which is the program that we're running now, as our members lose weight, we're making contributions to two organizations actually. Share of Strength, an action against hunger. Share of Strength is with us. They're focusing on school breakfast, making that more available. And Action Against Hunger is doing amazing things overseas. And it's a great way as our members are losing weight, they can sort of see the benefit of their own health improving while at the same time seeing benefit in the community more broadly.
WHITFIELD: Jennifer, you know, you're really tackling a lot. You got Weight Watchers. Every designer is apparently coming their way. They want to dress you now. There was a great segment of the population, a lot of women who said, you know what, Jennifer Hudson was allowing a lot of women to feel big and feel very beautiful. And so, now, they are seeing a lot more svelte Jennifer Hudson.
And there are some women who are saying, you know, they feel betrayed. What do you say to them about, A, why you came down in your weight, how you are feeling healthy, and what's your response to them who say they feel betrayed.
HUDSON: One, it is absolutely nothing wrong with being the big girl that they may be. So, still be proud of that. That should depend on you.
And at the end of the day, it's what you want for yourself and how you feel for yourself. And no matter what size that is, no matter what you are in life is about what you want for yourself. It's nothing else.
Not about size. It's about good health -- and least for me, it's about good health. But overall, what you want for yourself.
So, if you want to be that big girl, be the fiercest big girl you can possibly be, and I'll be the healthiest fierce girl I can possibly be.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All right. Fierce and healthy Hudson.
People in some low income neighborhoods -- well, they are not getting nutrition that they need. Vegetables and fruits are simply not sold in the local stores there. So, one CNN hero is working to change this. Her story in minutes.
Checking our top stories right now. Federal investigators are heading to Reno, Nevada to determine what cause a World War II plane to crash during an air race. Thousands saw it happened. Three people were killed including the pilot. Dozens more were injured.
And the P-51 Mustang slammed into box states nearly missing the crowded grandstands. Witnesses are calling the pilot a hero.
Still no word from Iran on whether two U.S. citizens are out of prison or whether they will be shortly. Iran's president said a few days ago that he expected Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer to be released. They were arrested on espionage charges two years ago.
And some are calling this the U.S. version of Tahrir Square. A group that calls itself Occupy Wall Street. Well, they did just that today. A spokesman says they are mostly young, overeducated and underemployed.
The leaderless group is asking people to head to Wall Street, set up camp and stay put for two months and, quote, "incessantly repeat one simple demand." And what is that demand? The group has not decided yet.
The striking teachers in Tacoma, Washington, are defying a judge's order to return network. The judge warns he may consider legal sanctions during a hearing scheduled for September 27th. Nearly 2,000 teachers walked out Tuesday after stalled contract negotiations. Classes are cancelled for Monday.
And America's war vets are being hit especially hard when it comes to finding a job. The unemployment rate for men and women returning from Afghanistan and Iraq is more than 11 percent.
CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr shows us how a former Marine is helping to fix that problem one crop at a time.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: I'm a city girl. You've got to tell me what all this stuff is?
MIKE HANES, IRAQ WAR VETERAN: Well, there's all kind of edibles growing over here. Right here is Curly Dock. It's kind of sour. You can cut this raw in a salad. You can cook it.
STARR (voice-over): After serving in a Marine Corps reconnaissance unit in Iraq, Mike Hanes returned home in 2004 plagued with such severe combat stress, he couldn't work. He found himself homeless.
HANES: When I came back, I really had an extremely difficult time transitioning. And I just could not interact or associate with society at all.
STARR: Then Mike came to this farm just outside San Diego. Here, fellow Marine Colin Archipley and his wife teach farming to combat veterans looking for new careers.
It's much needed help. The jobless rate for Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans is 11.5 percent in today's already fragile job market.
And Mike was vulnerable, says Colin.
COLIN ARCHIPLEY, ARCHIE'S ACRES FOUNDER: It was frequently that he would give us a call and said, I don't think I'm going to make it today. And we'd kind of coerce him and get him up here.
STARR: Now Mike is turning everything around. At the farm's kitchen table, a new life is mapped out.
HANES: I've got to find out if they sell it in big, huge containers, you know?
DWIGHT DETTER, ARMY VETERAN/WHOLE FOODS BUYER: Right. All right. So what I'll do is I'll call my main distributor.
STARR: Mike is going into production with his own hot sauce called Dang (ph). Whole Foods' buyer Dwight Detter is trying to get it on his market shelves this fall. An Army veteran, Dwight felt an instant connection.
DETTER: Here is a person I want to get involved in this, and it kind of fit in with what I do for work, but gave me new opportunities to help him develop his label, his brand.
STARR: Mike says he's learned to seek support, but for combat vets, getting any job can be tough.
HANES: It's hard to find support for these veterans coming back because there's so much involved with turning that off. You know, the on switch that's been triggered when you're in combat.
STARR: And perhaps something switched on for Dwight. Thinking about helping a young vet get ahead makes him feel like he's still serving.
DETTER: That's funny. I haven't even thought of that in that way. Yes? Maybe so. Maybe it's a rewarding feeling that I didn't get when I was doing it at the time. Interesting.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Barbara Starr joining me now from Washington.
So, what about other programs or people trying their best to help out veterans.
STARR: Well, you know, Fred, in the president's new job bill, there is a matter of fact a number of programs trying to offer tax credit and other incentives to hire veterans. It will remain to be seen if Congress passes that. But it's one of the big efforts to get jobs for veterans.
WHITFIELD: And it is bad, isn't it? Very difficult for too many veterans to find work.
STARR: It is, indeed. You know the veterans unemployment rate you mentioned, 11.5 percent for younger Iraq and Afghanistan veterans across the country. But in some places, it is running double that, especially in some rural areas, small towns veterans, home towns that they go back to. It can be up to double that.
And many young veterans say if they don't choose to go school when they come home, the best they can hope for right now is some minimum wage paying job and that is not what they are looking for. Most of them, of course, are looking for careers and good-paying jobs just like the rest of us -- Fred.
WHITFIELD: Absolutely. All right. Thanks so much, especially after so much that they have been through and experienced.
All right. Barbara Starr in Washington, thank you. You heard it before, your doctor says you should eat more fruits, vegetables. But what if you can't find them in your neighborhood store?
Our CNN hero is shipping it in, 33,000 pounds of produce at a time.
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WHITFIELD: Diabetes related amputations and deaths are rampant in many low-income areas. Stunned by the poor health and the lack of fresh foods in her East Harlem neighborhood, this week's CNN hero is bringing nutrition to the street.
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GINA KEATLEY, CNN HERO: I grew up in very low-income areas. I saw a lot of poverty, homelessness as a child as well, but it taught me to redefine myself and not let your past determine your future.
When I moved to New York four school, I was living in East Harlem and there's very few places to buy fruits and vegetables and healthy food. We've seen most diabetic and obese of all the neighborhoods of Manhattan. People were super malnourished.
I saw the connection between poverty and obesity, and it just seemed unjust and I had to do something about it.
My name is Gina Keatley, and I'm giving nourishment to people who are literally dying for it.
You want some free collard greens? Come on over.
Change is possible. If you want somebody to try a tomato, you give them a tomato. It's inspiration. They to feel it, touch it, taste it, because people will not change unless something in them changes.
We go places other people will not go. We're giving out produce. We're doing classes.
You really can eat healthy on a low budget.
What are these?
UNIDENTIFIED KID: Greens.
KEATLEY: Great. What's this?
UNIDENTIFIED KID: Chicken.
KEATLEY: Chicken.
We really want them to start early on. It can set a ripple effect for the rest of their lives.
Say tortilla.
KIDS: Tortilla!
KEATLEY: OK. Good. All right.
But in the end of the day, the parents are the ones doing the shopping. So, we have to win them over, as well.
Thank you, guys. Thanks for coming.
When I see any child, it reminds of something that I didn't have and I want them to see.
It's about pulling yourself up and never accepting no and I can see it in people's faces. I think people are getting it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All year, we've been introducing you to remarkable every day people who are changing the world. Next Thursday, we'll announce this year's top ten heroes on CNN.com and you can vote for the one CNN hero that inspires you the most online, and this year on your mobile device as well.
All 10 will be honored live at CNN heroes, an all-star tribute hosted by our Anderson Cooper. But only one will be named CNN Hero of the Year.
Witnesses to that horrible plane crash in Nevada say it was like a battle zone. We'll hear from one of the witnesses, next.
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WHITFIELD: All right. We're awaiting details from federal investigators out of Reno, Nevada as they look into why and how that vintage plane crashed. Three people were killed.
We understand a member of the NTSB is there in Reno and momentarily taking the podium there. When that happens we'll take it live, to give you the latest information on that crash.
So, witnesses are sharing some of the chilling details about what happened before, during and after that crash. This all happened during a race in Reno, Nevada.
Dr. Gerald Lent was sitting near the back of the bleachers when the P- 51 Mustang crashed. He's joining us right now by phone.
Explain to me, sir, what happened.
DR. GERALD LENT, EYEWITNEWSS TO THE RENO AIR CRASH (via telephone): Well, I just got in the grandstand to watch the last race, and I sat down on the edge of the grandstand. And there was a second, I think it was a second lap, and two planes went by and I watched the third plane and when he got in front of the grandstand, he just went straight up in the air. And I thought it was a mayday call where he had an engine fail where they pull s straight up to the air and turn infield. But he went straight up in the air, turned a loop upside down. He was coming down right for the grandstand. And so, everyone started diving for cover and he just turned a little bit and went right into the VIP area. There was about seven, eight rows of booths right on the flat tarmac in front of the grandstand.
He just dove right into one of the set of booths right there and big, big, terrific noise and big black cloud came up. No fire. And it was just devastation.
WHITFIELD: Incredible. It seemed to happen so fast. Did you see whether people started running, you know, for their lives? Was it a moment where people started worrying about where that plane was going to come down?
LENT: Yes. People on the grandstand, the guy beside me jumped off the edge of the grandstand just a split second before it hit. I jumped off the grandstand and sort of twisted an ankle. And people didn't have much time to react. People high in the grandstand didn't have anywhere to go.
But the people in the VIP booths, they didn't have time. They saw it coming straight down and they didn't have much time to do anything.
WHITFIELD: Have you been to these air races before?
LENT: Yes. I go to them just about every year except when I was in the military and I was gone out of the country. But I go to them every year.
WHITFIELD: And you never feel unsafe or that anything could possibly happen? You always feel pretty good about them?
LENT: Well, you're sitting in the bleachers and they come around the pylon there on the west side, they come down in front of you. If they miss the pylon, they're going to be right over the bleachers. But no, I don't feel unsafe. I wouldn't feel unsafe going to a race like the Indianapolis.
WHITFIELD: Oh, Dr. Gerald Lent, thanks so much for your perspective.
We're going to go to Reno now and hear from members of the National Transportation Safety Board. Let's listen in.
MARK ROSEKIND, NTSB BOARD MEMBER: The investigator in charge of the accident, Mr. Howard Plagens. So, he is what's called the IIC or investigator in charge, Mr. Howard Plagens.
At about 8:30 this morning the rest of the NTSB team arrived. And our first activity was to basically walk through what had happened so far. So, we walked the accident site, had a chance to speak with the NTSB investigators -- the three that were here at the time of the accident -- and get an update on their current activities.
So, let me tell you about those current activities. The investigators have isolated the accident site. They have walked the accident scene, which means that they have gone through and identified and processed the wreckage.
The Reno Police Department and Nevada Highway Patrol is mapping the wreckage area with a very high technology GPS laser system. The runway has been swept. That's in preparation to open up for operation again. The NTSB investigators have also made initial contact with the racing team crew.
Also, as part of the NTSB team that arrived today, we have members of the safety board's Office of Transportation Disaster Assistance. And they are here to work with local resources.
I really want to emphasize that this is just the beginning of this accident investigation. And the focus now is on gathering factual information. There will be periodic briefings and you will be informed by public affairs so that we can update you on information that's learned over the course of the investigation.
And I'd like to finish by thanking all of the first responders for their efforts yesterday and ongoing assistance and support of the NTSB in this investigation. We are going to take a few questions from you. We have some folks here on the phone as well.
And we are open for questions now.
REPORTER: What's the latest casualty count?
ROSEKIND: First of all, the city of Reno will be compiling all the information about fatalities and injuries. And since we knew that you would have that question, we are very fortunate to have Deputy Chief Evans from the Reno Police Department to actually give you an update.
REPORTER: First name, please?
DAVE EVANS, RENO POLICE DEPARTMENT: Excuse me?
REPORTER: First name.
EVANS: Dave Evans, deputy chief, Reno P.D.
I'm going to go through the latest totals we have. There is no more information that I have at this point, but we can update you at a later date. We transported 54 patients from the scene here to area hospitals. Of those 54, hospitals reported two fatalities. We also have a total of seven fatalities that we know of at this time on the tarmac to include the pilot.
Seventeen folks are still being treated at local hospitals. A total of 24 have been treated and released. And that's the very current information that we have at this time.
REPORTER: Would that be a total of nine fatalities then?
EVANS: Yes. Correct. Thank you.
ROSEKIND: Other questions.
REPORTER: Sir, can you talk about whether a plane like this has a black box or other data reporting device.
ROSEKIND: So, the question is whether a plane like this has any kind of recording device. It's very unlikely. The investigators actually have raised the question because of some of the modifications to the aircraft. It's unclear given the impact and the speed, whether there's actually going to be anything available, but they are definitely looking for that.
REPORTER: There is a photograph apparently out there showing the plane with a piece of the tail section missing prior to the crash. Is that an area of concentration for you guys?
ROSEKIND: So, the question is that there are pictures and video showing a piece of the -- appearing to show that a piece of the aircraft came off. We are aware of that. And, in fact, a component has been recovered in the area where that was observed.
But I think it is critical at this point to know that we have not identified the component. It will be examined. So we don't really know what the component is or if it came from this particular aircraft. We are very clearly going to focus on that. And that's part of the factual information gathering that's going on now.
REPORTER: We talk about video and photo (INAUDIBLE).
ROSEKIND: Yes. The question is how photos and video will play a role in this investigation. And, in fact, that's one of the activities that's now going on --
WHITFIELD: We'll continue to listen to this press conference involving the National Transportation Safety Board there, as they investigate the crash that took place in Reno, Nevada, at this air race. Now, officials are saying the death toll, nine people -- nine people died when this vintage aircraft, as you see right there also caught on videotape when it went down. Nine people, including the pilot.
All right. We'll return to Reno, the site of the crash at the top of the hour. CNN has two crews on the scene gathering new information. We'll be right back.
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