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Veterans Honored at Arlington National Cemetery; Penn State Board Launches Inquiry; Interview With Founder of American Widow Project; Rick Perry Tries to Laugh Off Debate Flub; Perry's Flub Overshadows Herman Cain's Sexual Allegation Battle; Obama's Live Remarks on Veteran's Day

Aired November 11, 2011 - 10:59   ET

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

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks Martin. I want to go directly live. I understand we're going to be going live soon to Arlington National Cemetery.

But I want to get you up to speed first for Friday, November 11th. It is actually a unique date on the calendar. It is 11-11-11. It is also Veterans Day.

President Obama he is at Arlington National Cemetery where he is going to place a wreath at the "Tomb of the Unknowns" shortly. In just a few minutes, the President is going to pay tribute to the men and women who served in the U.S. military. We're going to bring you his remarks live.

The mother of one of the boys allegedly molested by former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky says she and her son are now living a nightmare. She also says that coach Joe Paterno had a moral duty to alert police and agrees with the school's decision to fire him. She spoke to ABC's "Good Morning America" with her identity concealed and her voice altered.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want justice. I want him -- I want him to be locked up. There is no help for somebody that does this, you know, not like this. He needs to be put away. He needs to be put away for a long time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: I want to go directly to Arlington National Cemetery, where the president and officials have gathered to pay tribute to America's veterans.

You're watching veterans gathered there to honor veterans, pay tribute on this very important day at Arlington National Cemetery. It started, the ceremony, with a 21-cannon salute that announced the president's arrival to Arlington National Cemetery.

The official party has arrived at the Tomb of the Unknowns. That is where President Obama is escorted by Major General Linnington of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington. We are just waiting for the playing of the National Anthem.

And here you see the president making his way with an official entourage. The president will place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, followed by "Taps" and a moment of silence.

We are watching the first lady, Michelle Obama, arrive, as well as General Shinseki. She is actually -- one of her platforms, the first lady, has been reaching out to veterans, to those who currently serve in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the wives and spouses of those who serve.

And now we are watching President Obama arrive as well.

(MUSIC)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Present!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Present!

(MUSIC)

MALVEUAX: We have just concluded a moment of silence for the veterans. This is just the first part of a ceremony that the president is going to be involved in today at Arlington National Cemetery.

You see those who have gathered there following this. There will be a Parade of Colors, an invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance, as well as the introduction of the Veterans Day Committee.

There will be welcoming remarks by various military officials. And then the introduction of the guest speaker by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki.

We will be hearing from President Obama, who will give the Veterans Day address, and that will be followed by "God Bless America" and Retiring of the Colors. Let's listen in.

(MUSIC)

(APPLAUSE)

MALVEAUX: You're watching part one of a two-part ceremony on this Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetery. We are awaiting President Obama to make remarks shortly.

President Obama is going to be hitting the road for nine days after the events at Arlington. The president and first lady will be traveling to San Diego, where they're going to board the USS Carl Vinson for more Veterans Day tributes.

After that, they're going to head to Honolulu, where the U.S. is hosting the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Summit, or APEC. While in San Diego, the first couple will attend the first annual Veterans Day Carrier Classic basketball game on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson. The University of North Carolina plays Michigan State in front of about 7,000 fans, most of them military service members.

By the way, the Carl Vinson, that's the aircraft carrier that also buried Osama bin Laden at sea.

Coming up in a few minutes, I'm going to talk to a CNN Top Ten Hero who is a war widow. She founded a group that helps other young widows cope with their grief.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: Penn State is heading into tomorrow's big game against Nebraska with heightened security now, and for the first time in 46 years without coach Joe Paterno.

Our Mary Snow, she's joining us from the Penn State campus to talk a little bit about what's happening there.

First of all, Mary, the university's board of trustees is meeting today. What are they taking on here, what do they hope to accomplish?

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Suzanne, they've formed a committee to look into what happened and who was responsible in the failures that occurred after sex abuse allegations against former coach Jerry Sandusky were first surfaced. And this committee is saying that there will be no restrictions on the scope or activities into what went wrong, and it named Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier, a Penn State alum, as the head of that committee.

And this also comes two days after the board of trustees ousted Penn State's president and former coach Joe Paterno. Rodney Erickson was named the new interim president. He also addressed the board about moving Penn State forward.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RODNEY ERICKSON, PENN STATE INTERIM PRESIDENT: This is a tragedy for many lives, and it will take all of us some time to come to grips with the full magnitude of all the damage that has been done.

I want to thank the board of trustees for your leadership and guidance through this difficult time. Your deliberations and decisive actions have now set a course for the university's future.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNOW: And part of this investigation, Suzanne, will include independent counsel and investigative teams to find out what went wrong. This, of course, after the uproar that's engulfed this campus this week -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: And Mary, tell us about the assistant coach who reportedly told Paterno, Coach Paterno, about this alleged incident which he saw a 10-year-old boy being raped in Penn State showers. Where is he going to be? He going to be at the game? What is his fate? SNOW: Yes. His name is Mike McQueary, and, Suzanne, of all the Penn State staff members who are involved in this current investigation, he, according to the grand jury report, was the only one to have witnessed an alleged rape involving Jerry Sandusky and a 10-year-old boy. This was outlined in the grand jury report. He was a graduate assistant at the time.

Just yesterday, Penn State was saying that he would be coaching at the game, but late last night, the university came out saying that there had been -- that they had received multiple threats. This, of course, after questions have been coming up about Mike McQueary, why he didn't do more.

He went to Joe Paterno after he allegedly saw what had happened, but there are questions about why he didn't contact police, why he didn't do more. He is keeping his job, but he will not be at the game. The university says that it's in their best interest that he not be in attendance at tomorrow's game.

We should point out, CNN has also spoken with Sandusky's attorney, who is maintaining his innocence.

MALVEAUX: And Mary, tell us about tonight's vigil. I understand that there are students who are getting together, trying to call attention to the alleged victims in this case.

SNOW: Yes. And, you know, there is usually a pep rally before a big game like tomorrow, but tonight, at 9:30, the students have organized a candlelight vigil to really put focus on the victims here.

And we saw two nights ago, when, you know, the campus -- there were thousands of students out, mostly peaceful, but it did get unruly at certain times. And there have been calls for people to not do that again, of course, and tonight the focus is going to be on those victims. And also, tomorrow, students are being asked to wear blue to remember the victims of child sexual abuse.

MALVEAUX: All right. Mary Snow, thank you very much.

We are waiting for President Obama to speak on Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetery. We're going to bring that to you live as soon as it happens.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: For Veterans Day, many Americans are focused on remembering the troops who have lost their lives in war. But one woman is spending her energy helping the widows get past their grief.

Taryn Davis founded the group American Widow Project four months after her husband was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq. Now, to date, she has helped 900 young military widows like herself get through the pain and learn to enjoy life again.

That is why she is a Top Ten CNN Hero. And Taryn joins us live from Austin, Texas. Taryn, such an honor, a pleasure to be with you this morning.

TARYN DAVIS, FOUNDED AMERICAN WIDOW PROJECT: Good morning. Thank you for having me.

MALVEAUX: Good morning. Congratulations already for just being one of the finalists.

Tell us how --

DAVIS: It's pretty unbelievable.

MALVEAUX: Yes, it's great.

Tell us how this came about. I understand that you became a widow when you were just 21.

DAVIS: Yes, I was 21 years old when two men came to my house on May 21st of 2007 to let me know that my 22-year-old husband had been killed in Baghdad, Iraq. And I kind of felt like the world had ended at that point.

I think due to my young age, my grief was almost pushed aside, and in a lot of ways I felt ostracized even though I had family and friends around. So I wanted to create an organization and a place that -- not so typical when it comes to grief and dying. And we really just have taken off, I think, due to the amazing women and the legacies that they are carrying on as well.

MALVEAUX: Tell us a little bit about that program and how it's different than some of the others. I understand that you were involved, you guys taped a video together. You met each other. And you were all relatively young widows.

DAVIS: Yes. Well, I started off with a documentary where I went around the country and interviewed six military widows on everything from how they fell in love, to how they told their children that their father or mother would not be coming home. And then, from there, we actually started the full-out nonprofit organization.

And our events are very life-embracing. We don't put them in a room with a speaker. We don't have counselors. We have fellow widows.

And we do things like sky diving and surfing. We even volunteer and help different communities. We give these women a way to love life once again, and to take up that title that they now hold as a military widow and be proud of it, because it signifies their sacrifice and, most importantly, their survival.

MALVEAUX: It's really a very unique approach to healing, and it's so good to see you and the other military spouses really living life to the fullest in some of the things that you've done. There are now, from what we understand, 3,000 military spouses who have either lost their husbands or wives in Afghanistan and Iraq. How do you hope to reach out to them? DAVIS: I think one at a time. It's the only way that we can do it.

And, you know, their husbands and wives, they are far more than a statistic to us. I want to be able to say the name of their hero and know that it's going to be remembered. And that's really important with our organization, is knowing that they're not something that is just a passing blip or statistic on the 5:00 news, that their hero and they, themselves, are important and remembered and honored, at least in our organization.

MALVEAUX: Taryn, it's been a pleasure, and we wish you all the best. You're already a hero. You should already be very proud. And it's good to see you and the others really embracing this new part of your life as well as you get through your grief.

So, if you feel Taryn Davis should be CNN's Hero of the Year, you can vote for her or any other Top Ten Hero by going to CNN.com/heroes.

We are awaiting President Obama. He'll be speaking at the Arlington National Cemetery, where he will be offering his remarks on this Veterans Day.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: We are awaiting President Obama, who will be at Washington Arlington National Cemetery to pay tribute to the veterans here on Veteran's Day. As soon as he goes to the podium we'll bring that to you live.

Rick Perry is trying to laugh off his big flub at this week's Republican presidential debate. The Texas governor made an "awe shucks, I'm not a slick politician" appearance on David Letterman's "Late Show." Watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. RICK PERRY, (R-TX), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Actually, there were three reasons I messed up last night.

(LAUGHTER)

One, was the nerves and, two, was the headache, and three --

(LAUGHTER)

Um -- uh -- oops.

(LAUGHTER)

LETTERMAN: That's all right. Don't worry about it.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP) MALVEAUX: All right. So during Wednesday night's debate, Perry tried to name three government departments he wanted to kill, but he drew a blank on the third. Rick Perry's debate blunder has taken some of the attention away from Herman Cain's battle against sexual harassment allegations.

For some perspective on all of this, I want to bring in CNN contributor, John Avlon, senior political columnist for "Newsweek" and "The Daily Beast.

Hi, John.

JOHN AVLON, SENIOR POLITICAL COLUMNIST, NEWSWEEK & THE DAILY BEAST: Hey, Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: Let's start with Rick Perry. He's trying to kind of laugh off this debate flub. Do we think that the strategy is actually working for him?

AVLON: Look, he's playing a bad hand pretty well. And given his performance on "Letterman," if the whole president thing doesn't work out, he can always get a career as a standup. Maybe not top tier.

But look. He's owning the mistake. He's going on tour to play offense with it and show that he's got a sense of humor about himself. It always is good to be self-effacing. It is, however, never good to be the butt of a joke if you're running for president, a perpetual joke. He compounded a lot of his negatives. Points for playing a bad hand well but he is still on defense and will be for quite sometime.

MALVEAUX: He reminds me quite a bit of our former president, President Bush -- I covered for about six years or so. He is making the case here that he is not this like slick politician like some of the other candidates. Do you think that approach is going to get him past this difficult time, particularly the debate season?

AVLON: Well, look, it's the best -- it's the best argument he's got to make because he's had a lot of public instances where he has compounded his worst negative stereotypes.

That said, you know, this guy is apparently the best retail politician in the bunch. He's been in office for 10 years. His best play probably isn't just to do the talk show circuit but to try to hunker down in Iowa and convince folks there that he is relatable. That he is the acceptable, conservative alternative to Mitt Romney. And to try to use some of that authenticity, best possible way to spin it, I guess, as something that will make him relatable and thus electable. But his poll numbers and his money numbers have been weighed down even before this epic face plant. So let's not try to go too much.

MALVEAUX: Face plant. OK. Let's talk about Herman Cain. So a little bit of attention has been taken off of him because of the flub Perry made. but his campaign now says that they have raked in like $9 million in just the last six weeks. Why has he been so successful in cashing in on this controversy? AVLON: This is fascinating. I think it says a lot about what's our current political environment, the polarization, the almost bunker mentality, where candidates can say something, do something controversial and then, all of a sudden, receive -- be the beneficiary of a rally around the flag impulse. Kind of play the victim card and reap financial benefits. We saw this with Joe Wilson after he yelled, "You lie." Made an enormous amount of money on the Internet, saying he was attacked by the liberal media.

Michele Bachmann raised almost $14 million for her congressional campaign playing the same strategy. Sort of the talk-radio approach to politics, in which there is no such thing as too extreme. She ended up using that to seed her presidential campaign.

And now Herman Cain. Keep in mind, last quarter, he made $2.8 million. And he is saying, in basically a month, he raised $9 million. That is fascinating. And unfortunately, does say something about our current political environment where accusations of sexual harassment can, all of a sudden, mean an attention bonanza and a financial windfall for a candidate running for president. It applies much more to the primary than the general though.

MALVEAUX: Yes, sure.

AVLON: There's no way this is a positive.

MALVEAUX: Let's talk about that accusation, several accusations. One of the comments that were made during the debate potentially offended some women. I want you to hear how Jon Stewart put it on "The Daily Show."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JON STEWART, HOST, THE DAILY SHOW: Chief Romney rival in the polls, Herman Cain. Guy is in the middle of a scandal involving his treatment of women. Watch him lay down this turd discussing --

(LAUGHTER)

The highest-ranking female official this country has ever had.

HERMAN CAIN, (R), FORMER GODFATHER'S PIZZA CEO & PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The legislation has already been written. We didn't hear about it in the previous Congress because Princess Nancy sent it to committee and it stayed there.

(LAUGHTER)

STEWART: There is an age above which most women do not wish to be referred to --

(LAUGHTER)

-- as princess. And I believe that age is 5.

(LAUGHTER) There's only three times you should ever use that term. With an actual female member of the royal family --

(LAUGHTER)

-- a new Maltese puppy you got --

(LAUGHTER)

-- and -- oh, what's the third?

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: All right. John, in all fairness Cain has apologized for that princess reference.

AVLON: Yes.

MALVEAUX: But does it seem to you that he's not really taking this issue seriously?

AVLON: Well, look. I mean, not only this instance, which is an old rift he used to use on his radio show. Again, evidence of politics being played by talk-radio rules, especially on the right. But a statement he made that is making the rounds now, where he joked the other day on stage about, was he getting Anita Hill's vote? This is not someone who's had the gravity of the sexual harassment claims maybe really sink in, if you're making jokes about Anita Hill in front of a live mike.

So, no. I think it's fair to say that, you know, his defense probably is just letting Herman be Herman. But there a downside to that. If you don't seem to be taking very serious accusations seriously while you're running for president, which is, by definition, a serious process.

MALVEAUX: All right, John Avlon, thank you so much. Have a good weekend.

AVLON: Thank you. You, too.

MALVEAUX: We're awaiting President Obama at Arlington National Cemetery, just moments away where he'll be making remarks on Veteran's Day.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: We are waiting for President Obama to make live remarks from Arlington National Cemetery where he'll be addressing the nation on this Veteran's Day.

The secretary of Veteran's Affairs there, making the introductory remarks. We'll bring that to you as soon as he steps to the podium.

Well, Americans are having -- he is stepping up right now. Let's listen in.

(APPLAUSE)

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

Thank you, Eric Shinseki, for your extraordinary service to our country and tireless service to our veterans.

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Chairman Dempsey and Mrs. Dempsey, to our wonderful veterans service organizations for the extraordinary work that you do for our nation's heroes, to all who tend to and watch over this sacred cemetery, and above all, to every active-duty member, Guardsman, Reservist, and veteran of the United States Armed Forces.

There are many honors and responsibilities that come with this job. But none are more humbling than serving as your commander in chief. I am proud to be with so many of you here today.

Here, where our heroes come to rest, we come to show our gratitude. A few moments ago, I laid a wreath to pay tribute to all who have given their lives to our country. For even though this is the day we rightly honor America's veterans, we gather today in solemn respect, mindful that we are guests here, mindful that we share this hallowed space with a family's moment of quiet grief, mindful that many veterans not far from here are tracing their fingers over black granite for friends who never came home. And expect us to do all we can to bring every missing American service member home to their families.

To all our nation's veterans, whether you fought in Salerno or Samarra, Keson (ph) or the Coringle (ph), you are part of an unbroken chain of men and women who have served this country with honor and distinction. On behalf of a proud and grateful nation, we thank you.

When I spoke here on this day two years ago, I said there would be a day before long when this generation of servicemen and women would begin to step out of uniform. And I made them a promise. I said that when your tour ends, when you see our flag, when you touch our soil, you'll be home in an America that is forever here for you just as you've been there for us.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: For many, that day has come. Over the past decade, more than five million Americans have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. Of these, three million stepped forward after the attacks of September 11, knowing full well that they could be sent into harm's way. And in that time, they have served in some of the world's most dangerous places. Their service has been selfless, their accomplishments have been extraordinary.

In Iraq, they have battled a brutal insurgency, trained new security forces, and given the Iraqi people the opportunity to forge a better future. In Afghanistan, they have pushed back the Taliban, decimated al Qaeda, delivered the ultimate justice to Osama bin Laden. In concert, with our allies, they have helped end Gadhafi's brutal dictatorship and returned Libya to its people.

Because of their incredible efforts, we can stand here today and say with confidence the tide of war is receding. In just a few weeks, the long war in Iraq will finally come to an end.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: Our transition in Afghanistan is moving forward. My fellow Americans, our troops are coming home.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: For many military families, this holiday season will be a season of home comings. And over the next five years, more than one million Americans in uniform will transition back to civilian life, joining the nearly three million who have done so over the past decade and embraced a proud new role, the role of veteran. This generation of service members, this 9/11 generation has borne the burden of our security during a hard decade of sacrifice.

Our serviceman and women make up less than 1 percent of Americans, but also more than one million military spouses and two million children and millions more parents and relatives, all of whom have shared the strains of deployment and sacrificed on behalf of the country that we love.

Only 27 years old, on average, these young men and women have shattered the false myth of their generation's apathy, for they came of age in an era when so many institutions failed to live up to their responsibilities, but they chose to serve a cause greater than themselves. They saw their country threatened but they signed up to confront that threat. They felt some tug. They answered some call. And they said, let's go. And they've earned their place among the greatest of generations.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: That is something for America to be proud of. That is the spirit America needs now, a stronger, newer spirit of service and of sacrifice. That spirit that says, what can I do to help? What can I do to serve? That spirit that says, when my country is challenged, I will do my part to meet that challenge.

So on this Veteran's Day, let us commit ourselves to keep making sure that our veterans receive the care and benefits that they have earned, the opportunity they defend and deserve, and above all, let us welcome them home as what they are, an integral, essential part of our American family.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: See, when our men and women sign up to become a soldier or sailor, an airman, Marine, or Coast Guardsman, they don't stop being a citizens. When they take off that uniform, their service to this nation doesn't stop either. Like so many of their predecessors, today's veterans come home looking to continue serving America however they can. At a time when America needs all hands on deck, they have the skills and strength to help lead the way. Our government needs their patriotism and sense of duty, and that's why I've ordered the hiring of more veterans by the federal government.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA; Our economy needs their tremendous talents and specialized skills, so I challenged our business leaders to hire 100,000 post-9/11 veterans and their spouses over the next few years. And yesterday, many of these leaders joined Michelle to announce that they will meet that challenge.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: Our communities have always drawn strength from our veterans' leadership. Think of all who have come home and settled on in a quiet life of service, as a doctor, police officer, an engineer or an entrepreneur, as a mom or a dad, and in the process, changed countless lives. Other veterans seek new adventures, from taking on a new business to building a team of globe-trotting veterans who use skills learned in combat to help after a natural disaster.

There are also so many in this young generation who still feel that tug to serve but just don't quite know where to turn. So on this Veteran's Day, I ask every American -- recruit our veterans. If you're a business owner, hire them. If you're a community leader, a mayor, a pastor, a preacher, call on them to join your efforts. Organize your community to make a sustained difference in the life of a veteran, because that veteran can make an incredible difference in the life of your community.

If you're a veteran looking for new ways to serve, check out serve.gov. If you're a civilian looking for new ways to support our veterans and our troops, join Michelle and Jill Biden at joingforces.gov. Find out what you can do. There's no such thing as too small a difference. That effort you make may have the biggest impact.

I say this because recently I received a letter from a Vietnam veteran. She wasn't writing to tell me about her own experience. She just wanted to tell me about her son, Jeremy. Now Jeremy isn't deployed. Jeremy's not a veteran or even in the military at all, as badly as he wants to follow in the footsteps of his family and enlist. You see, Jeremy has Downs Syndrome, so Jeremy chooses to serve where he can best, with his local Vietnam Veterans of America chapter in Beaver, Pennsylvania. He calls them the soldiers.

And one day last spring, Jeremy spent the day with several of these veterans cleaning up a local highway. He worked tirelessly, wrote his mother. He never asked to take a break. He didn't stop to talk about his beloved Steelers. He didn't even ask for anything to eat or drink. He only asked one thing several times, "Mom, will President Obama be proud of me for helping the soldiers"? Well, Jeremy, I want you to know, yes, I am proud of you. I could not be prouder of you, and your country is proud of you. Thank you for serving our veterans by helping them to continue their service to America.

And Jeremy's example, one young man's example, is one that we must all now follow. Because after a decade of war, the nation we now need to build is our own. And just as our greatest generation left a country recovering from depression and returned home to build the largest middle class in history, so now will the 9/11 generation play a pivotal role in building America's opportunity and prosperity in the 21st century.

We know it will be hard. We have to overcome new threats to our security and prosperity. And we've got to overcome cynical voices warning that America's best days are behind us. But if there is anything our veterans teach us, it is that there is no threat we cannot meet. There is no challenge we cannot overcome. America's best days are still ahead. And the reason for that is because we are a people who defy those voices that insist otherwise. We are a country that does what is necessary --

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: -- for future generations to succeed.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: You, our veterans, fight so our children won't have to. We build and we invent and we learn, so that we will know greater opportunity. America leads so that the next generation, here and around the world, will know a more hopeful life on this earth. So today, I thank you all for making that possible.

God Bless you, God Bless our veterans and our troops, and God Bless the United States of America.

(APPLAUSE)

ERIC SHINSEKI, SECRETARY OF VETERAN'S AFFAIRS: Please rise and join the United States Army band in singing "God Bless America."

(SINGING)

(APPLAUSE)

SHINSEKI: Ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing as we retire the colors.

Retire the colors.

(MUSIC)

MALVEAUX: President Obama and military officials at attention there, offering his remarks on this Veteran's Day.