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CNN Live Saturday
West Virginia Town Awaits Jessica Lynch's Return
Aired July 19, 2003 - 18:19 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.
FREDERICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Palestine, West Virginia is anxiously awaiting the return of its most endearing hero and local sweetheart. Private First Class Jessica Lynch is to be released from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington on Tuesday but the welcome mat is already rolled out.
Jennifer McAndrews of affiliate WCHS has more now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JENNIFER MCANDREWS, WCHS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Rows of new American flags and fresh yellow ribbons decorate poles and street signs in Elizabeth all the way to Palestine, including the bridge the Jessica Lynch will travel over Tuesday on her way home that's amid a swirl of media.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, it's very hectic, a little overwhelming but it was nice. Everyone was showing their support.
MCANDREWS: That's what Alisha Hall (ph), Jessie's former classmate remembers about the media storm after the soldier was rescued and she knows it's coming again but expects it to be just as exciting for a reason.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: More of a celebration Tuesday of her coming home instead of before we were kind of mourning because we wasn't sure what she was doing but I think it will be really nice.
MCANDREWS: There are mixed emotions from people in town about all the attention Jessica will be getting next week when she comes home both from the local and national media but judging from all of the flags and yellow ribbons of support, just like this gigantic one outside of her house in Palestine, there are plenty of people who want to give the rescued soldier a hero's welcome home.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But if I were in her shoes I think it would be too much for me.
MCANDREWS: Many say it's a big change to adapt to all the people who filter in for the Lynch story. Convenience stores even have the Jessi flair. Jessica herself will have to do some adapting too to a different looking home. Jessi's project is well underway but not completed. Volunteers are making improvements to the family home while everyone tries to get ready for the homecoming amid a national spotlight.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The whole community is like a family and I don't know her personally but she's a (unintelligible) and she's part of the county.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's amazing that she went and done that for our country and our state and our community and I'm really proud of her.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: And, that report from Jennifer McAndrews of affiliate WCHS.
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 July 19, 2003 - 18:19 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDERICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Palestine, West Virginia is anxiously awaiting the return of its most endearing hero and local sweetheart. Private First Class Jessica Lynch is to be released from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington on Tuesday but the welcome mat is already rolled out.
Jennifer McAndrews of affiliate WCHS has more now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JENNIFER MCANDREWS, WCHS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Rows of new American flags and fresh yellow ribbons decorate poles and street signs in Elizabeth all the way to Palestine, including the bridge the Jessica Lynch will travel over Tuesday on her way home that's amid a swirl of media.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, it's very hectic, a little overwhelming but it was nice. Everyone was showing their support.
MCANDREWS: That's what Alisha Hall (ph), Jessie's former classmate remembers about the media storm after the soldier was rescued and she knows it's coming again but expects it to be just as exciting for a reason.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: More of a celebration Tuesday of her coming home instead of before we were kind of mourning because we wasn't sure what she was doing but I think it will be really nice.
MCANDREWS: There are mixed emotions from people in town about all the attention Jessica will be getting next week when she comes home both from the local and national media but judging from all of the flags and yellow ribbons of support, just like this gigantic one outside of her house in Palestine, there are plenty of people who want to give the rescued soldier a hero's welcome home.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But if I were in her shoes I think it would be too much for me.
MCANDREWS: Many say it's a big change to adapt to all the people who filter in for the Lynch story. Convenience stores even have the Jessi flair. Jessica herself will have to do some adapting too to a different looking home. Jessi's project is well underway but not completed. Volunteers are making improvements to the family home while everyone tries to get ready for the homecoming amid a national spotlight.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The whole community is like a family and I don't know her personally but she's a (unintelligible) and she's part of the county.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's amazing that she went and done that for our country and our state and our community and I'm really proud of her.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: And, that report from Jennifer McAndrews of affiliate WCHS.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
