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CNN Live Saturday
Seven Ex-POWs Head Home
Aired April 19, 2003 - 13:33 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.
JONATHAN KARL, CNN ANCHOR: Imagine the anticipation as seven former prisoners of war head home to their families today. Their 13- hour flight to Fort Bliss, Texas is well under way. They should arrive this evening. And after dropping off five of the soldiers there in Fort bliss, the plane will then take the remaining two on a much shorter trip to Fort Hood, Texas. And there, they will see CNN's Jamie Colby.
Jamie, how's it going?
JAMIE COLBY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Jon, it's going great. You can imagine the excitement here at Fort Hood. It's a historic base. Elvis, in fact, once used to live here. And let me show you the headline today in "The Killeen Daily Herald," "Hood Ready to Welcome Two Ex-POWs." And they certainly are making preparations on the base today at a hangar. The POWs are expected to arrive late this evening. David Williams and Ronald Young, the two Apache pilots, will deplane, be reunited with family and are expected to make some brief comments, though, we've been told they will not answer questions from reporters, at least not today.
They will then join their families for a quiet weekend, I am told. Michelle Williams telling me that she cannot wait to get her husband home. After seeing those pictures today of the patriotic sendoff in Germany, you can imagine the families are counting the hours until they can wrap their arms around their loved ones. And then after the weekend with family here and more family arriving, the Williams will have a subdued Easter dinner, but a very happy one at the same time. Their two children, 2-year-old Jason, and 6-month- year-old Madison will surely add some smiles to the events. David has talked to his son Jason -- 2-year-old Jason -- several times since his release. Jason telling him, "Hi Daddy," every time and getting very excited. Michelle Williams telling me that a huge burden has been lifted. She feels she's been blessed to have her husband home for Easter.
And also during the next couple of days after the celebration whereas off-base personnel, including psychologists and chaplains and other military personnel, will keep a close eye on both of the ex- POWs, the concern of course post-traumatic stress and mental conditions from being in captivity. Recent studies show that family history and also genetics playing a bigger role than length of captivity. So even though they were only held for a short time, whatever they went through -- and I'm sure details of that will come out once they come home -- will be taken into consideration in their care and counseling. Those services also being provided to their family members who have already been briefed on what they can expect and what they can do to help their loved ones continue to adjust to freedom -- Jon.
KARL: Jamie, an incredible Easter story, thank you very much for bringing it to us.
COLBY: Sure.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired April 19, 2003 - 13:33 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JONATHAN KARL, CNN ANCHOR: Imagine the anticipation as seven former prisoners of war head home to their families today. Their 13- hour flight to Fort Bliss, Texas is well under way. They should arrive this evening. And after dropping off five of the soldiers there in Fort bliss, the plane will then take the remaining two on a much shorter trip to Fort Hood, Texas. And there, they will see CNN's Jamie Colby.
Jamie, how's it going?
JAMIE COLBY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Jon, it's going great. You can imagine the excitement here at Fort Hood. It's a historic base. Elvis, in fact, once used to live here. And let me show you the headline today in "The Killeen Daily Herald," "Hood Ready to Welcome Two Ex-POWs." And they certainly are making preparations on the base today at a hangar. The POWs are expected to arrive late this evening. David Williams and Ronald Young, the two Apache pilots, will deplane, be reunited with family and are expected to make some brief comments, though, we've been told they will not answer questions from reporters, at least not today.
They will then join their families for a quiet weekend, I am told. Michelle Williams telling me that she cannot wait to get her husband home. After seeing those pictures today of the patriotic sendoff in Germany, you can imagine the families are counting the hours until they can wrap their arms around their loved ones. And then after the weekend with family here and more family arriving, the Williams will have a subdued Easter dinner, but a very happy one at the same time. Their two children, 2-year-old Jason, and 6-month- year-old Madison will surely add some smiles to the events. David has talked to his son Jason -- 2-year-old Jason -- several times since his release. Jason telling him, "Hi Daddy," every time and getting very excited. Michelle Williams telling me that a huge burden has been lifted. She feels she's been blessed to have her husband home for Easter.
And also during the next couple of days after the celebration whereas off-base personnel, including psychologists and chaplains and other military personnel, will keep a close eye on both of the ex- POWs, the concern of course post-traumatic stress and mental conditions from being in captivity. Recent studies show that family history and also genetics playing a bigger role than length of captivity. So even though they were only held for a short time, whatever they went through -- and I'm sure details of that will come out once they come home -- will be taken into consideration in their care and counseling. Those services also being provided to their family members who have already been briefed on what they can expect and what they can do to help their loved ones continue to adjust to freedom -- Jon.
KARL: Jamie, an incredible Easter story, thank you very much for bringing it to us.
COLBY: Sure.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
