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CNN Live Saturday

Chapman Remembered as Great Son, Father, Soldier

Aired January 05, 2002 - 18:02   ET

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

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: The body of the first American soldier killed by hostile fire in Afghanistan arrives in Germany. Sergeant First Class Nathan Chapman was a 31-year old father of two; his remains will be flown to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Sunday. And more now on Sergeant Chapman's story. An impressive military career -- Panama, Haiti, Desert Storm and his last mission, of course, Afghanistan. The Green Beret was gunned down in an ambush Friday near the border with Pakistan.

And CNN national correspondent Frank Buckley is at the Chapman family home in Georgetown, Texas. Thanks for joining us Frank -- an impressive career indeed.

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Catherine, Nathan Chapman's parents have been gracious enough that throughout the day to speak to reporters about the loss in their family. They want people to remember their son -- their boy who became the man who became the soldier who died serving his country.

Nathan Chapman was a professional soldier. As you say, he served in the U.S. Army from the time he graduated from high school in 1988. He became a Ranger; he parachuted into Panama. He served in Haiti. He served during the Gulf War, but he was also a family man. He was married to Renee (ph), his wife. He had two children, Amanda (ph), 2 years old; and Brandon (ph), 1-year old. His father says he loved parenting his children and he was also dedicated to being a soldier.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WILL CHAPMAN, FATHER: People who view the military from afar view these people as fighting men who may be arrogant; may be aggressive, but they're really not that way. They are confident, quietly competent individuals who have a job to do and they do it very professionally, but in their home life, Nathan -- and I know many of these other men are the same way, had a compassion and a tenderness and a loveliness about him that seemed to belie his other work -- you know the kind of a job that he had.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BUCKLEY: All right. Thank you. Will and Lynn Chapman say they accepted the risks associated with the profession that their son chose and they do not have any regrets in the fact that he sacrificed -- paid the ultimate sacrifice in serving his country. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHAPMAN: He just did his job. He did what he was trained to do, and he felt a certain duty to country and he served -- it cost him his life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BUCKLEY: His parents say that they hope that people will remember him in the way that they can honor his memory is by supporting the country and as his father put it, don't give up. Catherine, back to you.

CALLAWAY: All right. Thank you Frank.

Well, Sergeant Chapman called Fort Lewis, Washington his military home. And CNN's Rusty Dornin is there tonight.

Hello again, Rusty.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well Catherine, it really a home of sorts for -- or was a home of sorts for Sergeant First Class Nathan Chapman. He came here right after basic training and was here off and on for the last 13 years. He was with the First Special Forces group here in Fort Lewis near Tacoma, Washington. Now he was a communications specialist and he would go to Okinawa, he would go to Fort Bragg, he would go other places to train with Special Forces group, but he would always come back here, and he came here about six months ago. But during those years he earned the respect of all who knew him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED SOLDIER: I'm convinced that he was doing exactly what he joined the Army and Special Forces to do, and that's to contribute at the highest level to our nation's goals and policy. There's no higher calling; there's no greater sacrifice. He volunteered willingly and without hesitation, as all of our guys would have, and often do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORNIN: This is a day of mourning here at Fort Lewis, but it is also another day of training for the Special Forces group. Now the people who worked with Chapman say he was above all a professional soldier, but he also had a reputation that this buddies will never forget.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED SOLDIER: The big thing was his personality. People tend to be drawn to him by his personality. When he was around he -- excuse me -- he always made you laugh. He always, no matter how bad it sucked, he'd make you laugh.

(END VIDEO CLIP) DORNIN: Now, his family and two toddlers are being cared for by base personnel. Apparently an escort from Fort Lewis will be traveling back with the body. Sometime in the middle of this week a memorial service is expected at the end of the week -- Catherine.

CALLAWAY: All right, Rusty Dornin at Fort Lewis. Thank you Rusty.

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