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Lou Dobbs Tonight

Salute to Military Heroes

Aired May 25, 2009 - 19:00   ET

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

KITTY PILGRIM, GUEST HOST, "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT": Good evening, everybody, tonight on this Memorial Day, we salute our heroes, all the men and women serving this country in uniform and we honor everyone who has served.

Also, how Americans can keep our fallen heroes, our severely wounded troops, and their families. Bill White, president of the Intrepid Fallen Hero fund is our guest.

And a special tribute to the husbands a wives of those who served in harm's way. We'll have an exclusive interview with the military spouse of the year.

Well, as we mark this Memorial Day, tens of thousands of our troops are in the line of fire, in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines are taking the same risks as previous generations of servicemen and women.

The technology available to our troops has changed dramatically, of course, but combat infantrymen still have to close with the enemy on the ground, to clear territory, and to protect civilians.

It's a mission familiar to our troops' fathers, their grandfathers, and their forebears.

More than 180,000 of our troops are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan -- 135,000 troops are in Iraq, another 49,000 troops are in Afghanistan. And by the end of this year, the number of our troops in Afghanistan will rise to 68,000.

President Obama's decision to send reinforcements to Afghanistan reflects the much improved security situation in Iraq and the escalating violence in Afghanistan.

Now, those re-enforcements will fight a more aggressive Taliban. The radical Islamist terrorist group has extended its influence in Afghanistan, raising concerns that the U.S. and NATO do not have enough troops there.

Many of our troops will be deployed in areas where our NATO allies are struggling to defeat the enemy.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has appointed a new commander to lead our troops in Afghanistan. The new command is Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal, and he has held a series of top jobs in special operations command. General McChrystal replaces General David McKiernan in Afghanistan. Defense Secretary Gates said the U.S. mission there requires what he calls a "new thinking and new approaches."

Joining me now, two of the best Pentagon correspondents anywhere, Barbara Starr, who has made frequent trips to both Iraq and Afghanistan, and Chris Lawrence, a veteran of the U.S. Navy Reserve, who recently joined our Pentagon Bureau.

And thanks very much for being with us this afternoon.

Secretary Gates just returned from Afghanistan. He said he wanted to really see what it was like on the ground, get a sense of what the needs are on the ground.

Chris, I know that you accompanied Secretary Gates to Afghanistan. What are your thoughts on that mission?

CHRIS LAWRENCE, PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT, CNN: I think he saw what he thought are some successes, especially in eastern Afghanistan, where there's been a new program that's launched to try to get some of the local Afghans to defend their own areas.

They're not necessarily police officers or members of the Afghan army. But what they're doing is training and arming some of the local Afghans there to try to protect their own schools, mosques, buildings like that.

He also heard about some problems. He opened it up to some of the marines down south where almost all of these new troops are going to be going. He asked them pointblank, "What do you need? What are the problems here?"

And more than one marine told "We're getting here so quickly, we're beating some of our equipment here. Some of our communications equipment that we need is not keeping up."

Gates said that's not a matter of insurgents blowing up supply lines or anything like that. It's a logistical problem, one the military is responsible for, and one that Gates said that have to fix.

PILGRIM: That certainly does sound serious, but the mobilization is quite rapid.

Barbara, I would like to bring you in on this. What are you hearing about the grass roots scrutiny of the battlefield and some changes?

BARBARA STARR, PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT, CNN: Well, you know, what I think most commanders will tell you, as well as Secretary Gates, is they don't really see a military solution to this problem. It sounds a lot like Iraq, that there has to be some political developments here, economic reinstruction, economic aid.

Why is the fight going to be so severe in the coming weeks in the south? Two words, poppy crop. That is really the heartland of the narcotics trade in Afghanistan. That's where the Taliban are most likely, commanders will tell you, to make their last stand, because the money the Taliban get from that poppy crop in the south is what is fueling the insurgency, and the Taliban aren't going to go away easy, Kitty.

PILGRIM: It certainly sounds like a very difficult challenge on that.

You know, Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal is being called "fresh eyes" on the situation in Afghanistan. Chris, he has vast experience in counterinsurgency. What might he bring to this, and what really is the big challenge here?

LAWRENCE: Well, what I think you're seeing really is a completely new war in the south. I think Barbara kind of just touched on that, in that you're going to areas where the U.S. troops just haven't been.

And you're moving from, you know, more of a conventional conflict to a purely counterinsurgency fight, which possibly could mean, you know, deploying troops in smaller groups outside of armored vehicles, interacting with the Afghan people, you know.

Some of the skills that McChrystal has could come into play when you talk about tactically, you know, how to position those troops and the best way to do that.

PILGRIM: Barbara, you have just come back with the marines. You spent a lot of time in the field. I would like to get your thoughts on the broader picture.

We're seeing this shift of forces now. Would that imply that the security's improving in Iraq, the situation in Afghanistan deteriorating, that's the common interpretation. What nuances can you add to that interpretation, Barbara?

STARR: Well, I think that's pretty basically it, Kitty. The feeling is that the situation is getting better in Iraq.

And even though there have been some very significant bombing attacks in Iraq in recent weeks, the U.S. military really, under the Obama administration, is on the path to get out of there.

In Afghanistan, as Chris points out, the insurgency fight -- but there's really two challenges on the frontline for the U.S. troops there -- protecting themselves, having the right kind of armored vehicles and armored protection so they can move around that battlefield and still have sufficient protection from the IED threat, the roadside bomb threat.

But, very significantly, what we have all seen as we have traveled there, there is a lot of concern about medical evacuation. These areas are very remote and are at long distances.

And there is a good deal of concern that when combat really gets underway, there will be enough helicopters, enough Medevac in the far outlying areas to get U.S. troops out of there and back to medical care as fast as possible.

PILGRIM: Chris, I really would like to close with you.

Afghanistan's been the longest theater of war for this struggle against terrorism. We have learned many things. What do you think we can take with us for this next effort in Afghanistan?

LAWRENCE: Well, I think the thing that you keep hearing from the Pentagon and from the officials who are making this decision is that they learn something in Iraq.

You can't apply all the lessons, but I think the lesson of limiting civilian casualties and actually getting out into these communities so that the local people do not feel you are occupiers but more of their protectors, that is the lesson, especially in Afghanistan, where public opinion could quickly turn against the U.S.

And almost every official has gone on record saying if that happens, the war is lost.

PILGRIM: We are very thankful for your expertise analysis, both of you. Barbara Starr and Chris Lawrence, thank you very much.

The salute too our troops continues in a moment. We'll be joined by one of the nation's most decorated former military commanders.

And we'll also examine the struggle facing many of the military veterans as they look for civilian jobs after their service.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PILGRIM: The new G.I. Bill becomes effective on August 1. The benefits will help veterans pay for higher education and advanced job training, and many hope it will reduce unemployment among veterans.

As Barbara Starr now reports, many returning vets are having a difficult time finding civilian jobs.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: Tom Tarantino lived patrols through the most dangerous neighborhoods of Baghdad. Steven Taylor flew Navy reconnaissance planes over Iraq.

Both, now civilians, walking the halls of Capitol Hill to make sure Congress understands that veterans are struggling in the economic downturn.

Tyler is unemployed, Tarantino, after 10 months, found a job with a veterans' advocacy group.

TOM TARANTINO, IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN VETERANS OF AMERICA: I might have been about a month away from not being able to pay any of my bills.

STARR: Both men say the military isn't doing enough to get troops ready for tough times in the civilian job market.

Taylor is a Naval Academy graduate. His final tour of duty was the White House Operations Center.

STEPHEN TAYLOR, IRAQ VETERAN: I might not be actually taking the job that I actually think that I'm actually qualified to take because of the economy.

STARR: One estimate says unemployment among vets is more than 8 percent.

TARANTINO: I think you're going to find a lot of corporations are bit more reticent to hire, because they are afraid of things like post-traumatic stress.

STARR: And on the streets, veterans are falling between the cracks.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are 2,000 homeless Iraq and Afghanistan veterans on the streets right now.

STARR: To keep that from happening, these vets want more funding for programs to help veterans make the transition from the front line to the assembly line, or even to the boardroom.

TARANTINO: I got lucky. I can only imagine for the people that are really facing the end of the rope and figuring out what their operations are.

STARR: Barbara Starr, CNN, Capitol Hill.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PILGRIM: Joining me now is CNN military analyst General David Grange. General Grange, thanks for being with us this Memorial Day.

We just heard a piece about returning veterans. It's a very tough time for them. They're coming back into a very, very difficult economy.

At the same time, the war effort the intensifying. Thoughts on the challenges that they face today?

BRIG. GEN. DAVID GRANGE, (RET.) CNN MILITARY ANALYST: I think it's important to realize that as these fellow citizens go over into harm's way, it's important that the American people support their effort. Whether they support the war or not, they're there.

When they come back from conflict, many things happen. It depends. Many have injuries. Some are hidden injuries, like post traumatic stress syndrome. Some are traumatic brain injuries. Some may be physical injuries from wounds.

And they have to be integrated into society. They have to feel welcome. Many have family in duress, and some have troubles entering the job market and starting a new life. PILGRIM: General Grange, I would like that call up a comment that Secretary Gates just had to say about the challenges that he has in his job in dealing with all of this. Let's listen to what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERT GATES, DEFENSE SECRETARY: The truth of the matter is being secretary of war in a time of war is a very painful thing. And it's not a job anybody should like.

How can you like a job when you go to Walter Reed or Bethesda, and you know you sent those young men and women in harm's way. Every single person in combat today, I sent there. And I never forget that for a second.

So, no, I don't enjoy my job.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PILGRIM: A moment of emotional honesty, really quite stunning to hear that. What are you thought on his sentiment and the challenges that he faces, and, actually, you faced yourself when you were on active duty?

GRANGE: Well, the secretary's comments are very much those felt by many people that have responsibility and authority to execute warfare, using the most tremendous resource that we have as a nation, and that's our people, our troopers.

And so the secretary's talking about those responsibilities when he signs deployment orders overseas, much like the president feels as the commander in chief, or much like a general officer or other leaders responsible for lives besides their own.

And so when you enter something like this, like warfare, which is very obviously stressful, not only are you worried yourself, but you have your own personal fears or concerns, but also those you're responsible for. So it's very tough on people.

And sometimes we forget to think about the stress and what a leader goes through that has those responsibilities. It's very important and very tough to handle.

PILGRIM: We have a changing of the guard in Afghanistan. Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal takes over.

We have just a few seconds left, David Grange, but would you please give us your thoughts on the change of guard and where he'll take us next?

GRANGE: I know these officers quite well, General McKiernan, who was there before and who is now leaving that post, and General McChrystal, who is going in. I was in Desert Storm with General McChrystal. He's a very capable officer, understands irregular warfare, counterinsurgency, a good man in that position at this time. PILGRIM: We wish him the best, and thank you for being with us today. General David Grange, thank you.

GRANGE: My pleasure.

PILGRIM: Army Captain Matthew Myer fought in one of the bloodiest battles of the war in Afghanistan. During the battle of Wanat, hundreds of Taliban insurgents tried to overrun one of our border patrol bases.

Over soldiers were vastly outnumbered. The heroic actions of Captain Myer and his fellow troops repelled the attackers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PILGRIM: Chosen company, second battalion, 503rd infantry regiment, 173 airborne brigade combat team stationed for 15 months in Kunar and Nuristan provinces of Afghanistan, mountainous region near the border with Pakistan, and an active population of Taliban insurgents.

CAPT. MATTHEW MYER, U.S. ARMY: Our real mission was to the Afghan people, trying to build and construct their infrastructure, their government systems, economic development.

PILGRIM: Paving roads, handing out blankets and food, Army Captain Matthew Myer and his soldiers did what they could to win the trust of the Afghan people and build support for the Afghan government, all the while exchanging near daily fire with Taliban insurgents.

Then on July 13, 2008, a massive early morning attack, the battle of Wanat.

MYER: We established a base a few days earlier. We were in the beginning phases of building it up. I was on the ground. I had got there the night before. And the attack was early that morning.

Everyone was awake. It was obvious that the enemy far outnumbered us that day.

PILGRIM: 47 U.S. soldiers alongside 24 Afghan soldiers defending the base, 200 Taliban insurgents trying to overrun it.

After two hours of heavy fighting, nearly 50 Taliban fighters were killed. Nine Americans also lost their lives. It took a full two days to completely drive the enemy out of the area.

The army says Chosen company displayed uncommon valor in what's described as one of the bloodiest battles of this war.

Captain Myer received the Silver Star for his leadership, as did Specialist Michael Benton and Corporal Jonathan Ayers, who was killed in the battle. Sergeant First Class David Zwig received the Bronze Star with valor.

But Captain Myer says all his men were heroes.

MYER: They weren't thinking about themselves, obviously. It takes incredible human beings that were part of Chosen company that have incredible valor and courage to do something like that. It's nothing that comes natural, but it comes through training, and it comes through the character of these men.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PILGRIM: Captain Myer was one of many heroes that day. In all a remarkable 63 medals, including 11 Silver Stars, were awarded to those who fought in the battle of Wanat.

Our tribute to the nation's veteran will continue with the story of Sergeant Michael Gainey, awarded a Bronze Star for his heroic actions in Iraq.

And the unsung heroes, the spouses of our military men and women. The military spouse of the year will be my guest.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PILGRIM: Army Sergeant Michael Gainey served in Iraq, helping train the Iraqi national police. While on patrol in 2007, his unit came under heavy enemy fire. Sergeant Gainey's heroic action that day saved the lives of his comrades and repelled the Iraq insurgents.

The sergeant was honored for his heroism with a Bronze Star. Bill Tucker reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL TUCKER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Expect the unexpected. It's a sentiment Staff Sergeant Michael Gainey drills into this group of Navy officers trained for deployment to Afghanistan.

Gainey earned his perspective as an army reservist while deployed in Iraq.

SGT. FIRST CLASS MICHAEL GAINEY, U.S. ARMY RESERVE: It was a mission where they were wanting to move police headquarters. And our unit was assigned to clear this one area. Make sure everything's clear once you get there, that's the end of the mission.

TUCKER: Then the unexpected happened.

GAINEY: We were almost at the end of the mission, and we started getting attacked. And there was this one two-story building, so it could only been one place these people could be at.

TUCKER: Insurgent gunfire erupted, separating Gainey's men from the rest of the patrol.

GAINEY: You could see dirt just picking up where these guys where shooting at them. TUCKER: Acting as a shield, his humvee advanced on the insurgents. Gainey fired from the turret, provided the dismounted soldiers an escape to the rear.

GAINEY: You knew they were waiting on you, please come get me, come get me.

TUCKER: Exposed, Gainey suffered shrapnel wounds to his neck and his hand, but refused medical treatment until the ambush was over.

And when the hail of bullets ended, Gainey killed or repelled the insurgents.

GAINEY: Once we got them and got them to safety, it was so nice, so nice to give everybody high fives, and to as hugging, and thanks man. I didn't think you were ever going to come.

TUCKER: Back on the simulated battlefield, members of Gainey's squad listen to the instructor's hard fought experience.

GAINEY: Being trained theory isn't as good as somebody who has had to actually apply the training.

It's meant a lot to be able to receive training from somebody like him.

TUCKER: Gainey wears the Bronze Star with Valor for his bravery and a Purple Heart for his words. Yet he remains humble about his heroic actions.

GAINEY: I'm very appreciative that, you know, my commanders wanted to award me. We were all doing the exact same thing.

TUCKER: Army or Navy.

Bill Tucker, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PILGRIM: Up next, how we can help those who have made so many sacrifices for our nation. Bill White, president of the Intrepid Fallen Hero's fund is our special guest.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PILGRIM: Now the story of Sergeant Kelly Keck. The combat medic was providing aid to his fellow soldiers in Afghanistan when a landmine exploded, and Sergeant Keck suffered severe wounds.

The soldiers he was there to help saved his life. Ines Ferre reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

INES FERRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kelly Keck's story of survival is about family, family here at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center as he recovers from major limb loss.

SERGEANT KELLY KECK, U.S. ARMY: It'd definitely been a big help to me, just the love and the emotion and the caring for me.

FERRE: And it was family who got him through those dark days in September after Keck stepped on a landmine while serving in Afghanistan.

KECK: I remember them offloading me. And I woke up for a minute, and I remember seeing my brother there. And he tried to grab my ,hand and he was crying. But I was glad he was there to help me.

FERRE: Remarkably, Sergeant Keck's half-brother, Matthew Kellogg, an army officer, was serving in the same battalion.

KECK: I thought I would be watching over my little brother, but it turned out it was the other way around.

FERRE: It stated at a routine day. Activity had picked up in the area outside of Jalalabad near the Pakistan border. A combat medic, Keck was traveling with a convoy back to base.

KECK: We were coming back. And I think we were about two or three miles from our base, getting back to ours. And our lead vehicle got hit.

FERRE: Word came no one was wounded. But Keck had a responsibility to check, and headed toward the scene on foot.

KECK: All of a sudden I just heard a loud explosion. And the next thing I knew I was laying on the ground on my side. And I looked down and saw my right leg below the knee was gone.

FERRE: The platoon sergeant was close by and administered a tourniquet to stop Keck's leg from bleeding.

KECK: I taught previously the whole platoon, we had taught them skills in case something like this happened, to be able to help their buddies. You never know it would be the medic, actually, that happened to.

FERRE: This is Sergeant Keck at Walter Reed, his second day of learning to walk again.

KECK: It's really good just to be able to stand up again at my own height and see things again from that perspective. I make sure that I roll up to the inside.

FERRE: For Sergeant Keck, these are the best steps yet in his recovery.

Ines Ferre, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PILGRIM: When Sergeant Keck joined the army, military life was not new to him. Earlier in his life he served as a marine. And then later, he chose a career as a social worker.

When state social services were cut and he lost his job, Keck decided to join the military again, finding a true home with the army. We wish him the very, very best.

Well, there are organizations all over the country providing assistance to veterans and troops like Sergeant Keck and their families. The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund provides support for wounded service members and veterans.

Bill White is the president of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, and president of the Intrepid Air and Space Museum in New York, and he joins us from there. Bill, always nice to see you.

BILL WHITE, PRESIDENT, INTREPID FALLEN HEROES FUND: Hi Kitty. It's so nice to be with you today. And thank you so much for you're interest in our troops and their families.

PILGRIM: Bill, you have done so much. I would like to first get you're comments about Fleet Week which is wrapping up. There's been many events on the Intrepid. Tell us a little bit about what went on this past week.

WHITE: Well, thank you so much.

We had 5,000 troops in New York City for our 22nd Annual Fleet Week, the biggest and the best that we've ever had in 22 years since the Intrepid came back from its renovation.

We honored Secretary Bob Gates with the Intrepid Freedom Award, we honored today on Veteran's Day 3,000 veterans came. We really make today the day where we focus on them and say thank you for those that have given the ultimate sacrifice and service to our country so that the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans will continue for generations to come.

PILGRIM: We feel so lucky to have the Intrepid in New York with us.

I would like to go a little bit further into support for the troops. It's -- Bill, it's really become almost a catch phrase but so few people actually do something.

The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund is somewhere where they can really, really make a difference. Tell us about it, what it's doing and how they can support it.

WHITE: Well, thank you so much.

And on this day where we remember those who have fallen. We also have to remember those that have been wounded from these two wars. You know the IED explosions that are occurring in Iraq and Afghanistan are causing what is known as the signature wound of this war; traumatic brain injury.

And we are trying to tackle that right now, the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund has started construction last month on a National Intrepid Center of Excellence which is going to focus the country on this national crisis.

We have 300,000 troops that are estimated by the Rand Institute that are suffering from some form of traumatic brain injury. And so what we want to do as an organization is to say, "Wait a second. Let's help them, let's show them that we love them, we care for them and we respect them."

So this building is going up, we have $3 more million dollars to race for this project, $60 million project in total and 100 percent of every penny goes directly to this cause.

PILGRIM: Bill, you mentioned this Rand study; 300,000 returning servicemen with PTSD. Why is it so important that they get help? And why has it been somewhat lacking until now?

WHITE: Well, you know what? It is Kitty it's a great question, because this is kind of the invisible wound. You don't see it. You know, someone is killed in the line of duty, like last week we lost all these amazing heroes. Someone is wounded and they have lost their legs or their arms, you know you see that.

This is the invisible wound, you could be looking at a marine who suffered a horrific IED explosion and you'd never know and then six months down the line, this poor young soul is going through this major brain issues.

And so what we need to do is remind everybody that we have 300,000 of them, they need our help today. And we don't want to experience what we did in Vietnam, where they came home and we didn't care about them and we just forgot them.

So this is a chance for us to be the great country that we are and say, "Hey, we love you. We want to be there for you. We owe you so much for your freedom." And that's what we're doing.

PILGRIM: Bill, let's talk a little bit about physical injures -- injuries because they are also very severe. And in this war many people survive who wouldn't have survived in previous wars with the extensive physical injuries. What's being done for them?

WHITE: Well, this is so important. We have the greatest military on the face of the planet, the greatest generation that served on the Intrepid behind me in World War II, says this about the young people today, they're such great heroes and that also goes along with military medicine.

We have the greatest doctors on the battlefield that are saving these young men and women. We have great armor now that is protecting them. But there's one thing that we're just not able to stop, and that's these massive bombs that the enemy puts out on these young men and women where they are just trying to protect the people of Afghanistan and Iraq.

So you're right, this is a major problem, we have over 2,800 multiple amputees. We have service members that have had their faces you know, literally burned off by these horrific explosions. And the Intrepid is also doing things there to help repair the faces of our fallen, we have 22 marines and soldiers in a program called Operation Mend. A doctor of UCLA, Tim Miller who got the bronze star in Vietnam is actually repairing these faces so that they don't have to look so horrific.

So we're learning as we go along and I think that the military and the private sector are working together finally and we commend the Pentagon, we commend the VA for letting us be part of this solution to provide the best care for them.

PILGRIM: Bill White, thank you so much for being with us and thank you for all your very valuable work with the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Thank you very much sir.

WHITE: Thank you so much Kitty. And God bless you and thanks to all of our troops.

PILGRIM: Thanks Bill.

Another story of bravery and determination tonight, Army Sergeant Dan Metzdorf. He served in Afghanistan and Iraq and during a routine patrol, a roadside bomb exploded, killing some of his fellow soldiers.

Now, Metzdorf lost one of his legs and today, this courageous sergeant has a new career in the army and it's a career that many would say defies all odds.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Then he will face into the wind for a final approach.

PILGRIM: on November 1st, 2008, Sergeant Dan Metzdorf became a member of the U.S. Army's parachute team, the "Golden Knights." But when he first got to call to try out, Sergeant Metzdorf had his doubts.

SGT. DANIEL METZDORF, U.S. ARMY: You guys know that I'm -- I don't have my right leg, I'm an above the knee amputee and you want me to jump out of planes from over two miles above the earth surface and land like a feather?

PILGRIM: Metzdorf joined the army in 1995. He was sent to fight the war in Afghanistan in 2003 and did a second tour in Iraq in 2004.

METZDORF: We go to this place, Camp Kalsu (ph) and it is -- it's horrible. It is like, I was like -- oh, my gosh, we are -- we are in like bad guy territory.

PILGRIM: On January 27th, after only ten days in country, a routine patrol went terribly wrong.

METZDORF: This roadside bomb was triggered somehow and goes off. Kills my lieutenant, killed a staff sergeant and our fort observer. PILGRIM: Metzdorf was also wounded.

METZDORF: Like a concussion of just energy throws me backwards. I start to feel pieces of my flesh, pieces of muscle and tissue just kind of laying on top of my gear. And so I'm thinking to myself, something that is bad has happened right now.

PILGRIM: Metzdorf has lost his right leg, but not his determination. In fact, he was recruited by the "Golden Knights" because of that determination and courage.

METZDORF: When I was six years old I had a dream of being a soldier. It always excited me, I was like jump out of a planes, drive a tank, drive a Humvee, shoot a gun, you know go out there and fight for your country and just really live -- live that dream.

PILGRIM: Sergeant Metzdorf is the first above the knee amputee to serve on the Golden Knights Parachute Team.

METZDORF: The most satisfying part of being on the parachute team, is when you get down there and you take your helmet off and you get to interact with the American public and when you walk up to the kids that have the exact same dream you've had, and you get to look at them and just basically tell them, "Hey, really, dreams come true."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PILGRIM: Sergeant Metzdorf recently received a promotion. He is currently attending advanced infantry leadership school in Georgia. And when he completes the course later this summer, he will be a senior advisor to combat troops. We wish him the very best.

The SALUTE TO OUR HEROES continues, we'll introduce you to two heroes carrying on the family tradition of military service.

And unsung heroes; the spouses of servicemen and women, the "Military Spouse of the Year" joins me next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PILGRIM: Today's heroes are no different from generations of previous servicemen and women. All have displayed remarkable bravery under fire frequently putting their lives at risk to save their comrades.

Philippa Holland, reports on two servicemen who are following long family traditions. And she begins with the story of Sergeant Scott Ruske, a third generation soldier.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PHILIPPA HOLLAND, CNN CORRESPONDENT: On a routine patrol in Kapisa Province in Afghanistan, then army reserve specialist Gregory Ruske, his platoon and two members of the Afghan National Police stumbled upon a meeting of high level Taliban warlords. SGT. GREGORY RUSKE, U.S. ARMY RESERVE: We're watching by this house, the two afghan police are in the front and all of a sudden, rounds just started popping off everywhere. And like everyone hit the ground and I bolted for the corner of this house.

HOLLAND: 100 yards out, a policeman lays wounded, the other is presumed dead.

RUSKE: So we're swapping rounds with these guys. And I get this wild idea that maybe, we should go up on the roof of this guy's house and maybe we could get a better angle on him and take a fight to them.

HOLLAND: Ruske barely notices a bullet enter and exit his body.

RUSKE: I was wearing a magazine on my side from my rifle, it actually punched through the magazine, glanced off two other rounds, and missed my body armor by like half an inch, went in my hip and out my lower back. It hit nothing but me, I mean no bone.

HOLLAND: Bandaged, Ruske returned to the battle and made a difficult decision.

RUSKE: We found that out the other police officer was in fact still alive; the one we had thought was dead. And he had been trying to crawl towards our position.

HOLLAND: The injured Ruske and a platoon Sergeant pulled him to safety and started medical treatment. Ruske alternated fighting and reassuring the wounded Afghan until coalition forces came to the platoons rescue.

For his act of heroism, Gregory Ruske received the Silver Star.

Now, back home Ruske tries to use his experience to help others as a juvenile corrections officer in Denver, Colorado.

RUSKE: It can always be worse, so take a little pride, get the skills you need to get out and be of benefit instead of a burden.

HOLLAND: Ruske also has a different idea of what makes a hero.

RUSKE: I consider my mom my hero. She pretty much raised me by herself and instilled in me a lot of the values that I live by. And she did that by herself while going to college. And that's -- I couldn't do that.

HOLLAND: Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan Harris was in command of a Blackhawk helicopter last July when it took a direct high from an insurgent's rocket propelled grenade in Afghanistan.

C.W.O. JONATHAN HARRIS, U.S. ARMY: As soon as we landed the first RPG impacted right -- at the 10:00 position of the front of the aircraft. The second round impacted -- the cabin was on fire, the tail was on fire, the seats were on fire. So we got to fly our crippled aircraft probably 900 meters away before we had to get out.

HOLLAND: The crippled helicopter now abandoned, Harris took a position between his wounded crew chief and advancing insurgents.

HARRIS: We all assembled at the front of the aircraft, and no more than we had been on the ground, we started receiving small arms fire again and the people inside the village just collapsed on the aircraft.

HOLLAND: In the fight of their lives, Harris and his crew held off the advancing insurgents until an army Chinook helicopter moved in to rescue them.

HARRIS: To this day, I still say those guys are the true heroes of the battle because we actually had to stop firing so they could land. They positioned themselves between us and the advancing enemy and we all got loaded up and we took off out of there.

HOLLAND: Last November, Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan Harris was awarded a Silver Star for his actions in the firefight. It was an honor he wanted to share with a man he had long revered as a hero.

A generation ago, his father Gary Harris fought in Vietnam and was awarded a Silver Star for saving the lives of men in his squad. But instead of a ceremony, he received his medal in the mail.

GARY HARRIS, C.W.O. HARRIS'S FATHER: I didn't feel like a hero, I just felt like I did what I had to do at the time. You had to either fight or you're going to die. All we were thinking about was try to come out of there alive and take care of each other.

I think Jonathan is a much better soldier than I could have ever been.

HOLLAND: At his son's request, the elder Harris participated in the medal ceremony via satellite, receiving both a silver and bronze star for his actions in Vietnam.

J. HARRIS: I always thought my dad's a hero. Vietnam was just one of those forgotten wars that nobody really wanted to mess with. I have seen a big change in my father since this has all taken place. What better thing can you do for your country than go to war for them?

HOLLAND: Two soldiers separated by a generation, but united by a sense of service and duty to country.

Philippa Holland, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PILGRIM: Still to come on this Memorial Day, a tribute to those military families who is support the troops at home while so many of our heroes are fighting overseas.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PILGRIM: Welcome back to this Memorial Day salute to our troops. We have shared stories with you tonight about the heroes who have served our country in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And now we honor those who provide the support for those troops at home. There are more than 1 million military spouses doing heroic work of their own while their loved ones are overseas. We introduce you now to one of those spouses Tanya Queiro and she has been named "Military Spouse of the Year for 2009." And she joins us now from her home in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Thank you so much for being was, Tanya.

TANYA QUEIRO, 2009 MILITARY SPOUSE OF THE YEAR: Thanks, Kitty for having me.

PILGRIM: When I look at your schedule, I get exhausted. You have three children, Jose, Marcus and Adrianna. You are working full- time. You're getting your PhD. You are doing volunteer work.

How do you fit all this in your day? And how do you stay inspired because the stress of having a spouse overseas fighting is considerable? How do you motivate yourself?

QUEIRO: I think my upbringing had a lot to do with it. I was brought up knowing that for every individual there are dozens of people and agencies and communities that contribute to building the person. And through that upbringing, I just translate that into my military spouse lifestyle now.

And I want to -- I have a sense of responsibility. I want to give back to our military community. And it's also my children motivate me to keep going, to set that example for them and let them know that they can accomplish anything if they put their mind to it.

PILGRIM: They certainly are adorable. I have seen a video of them and they're absolutely adorable. In fact, I really loved it that your son in one of his statements about you said you were a very good cook. On top of this you manage to be a good cook which is just astonishing.

Tell me what your year will look like as Military Spouse of the Year. What are your activities? What will you be doing in that capacity?

QUEIRO: Well, through the "Military Spouse" magazine, they have afforded me the opportunity to pen a monthly column in which will be published in their magazine as well as online at milspouse.com. And through their online services I will have -- host a blog in which we can comment on articles and exchange ideas and share resources.

PILGRIM: Tanya, you know, your husband just came back from Afghanistan. He did two tours in Iraq. What advice do you have to other military spouses who are out there? This is extremely tough to be the one who stays home. What advice do you have? You clearly handle it well.

QUEIRO: Thank you. I do my best. My advice has always been for military spouses and family members to remain flexible. Maintain an open mind. And always just do your best and set your goals especially during deployments because there will be challenges ahead from your spouse being deployed. And if you have family members, you have to help them cope and manage and deal with the deployments, as well.

So again, just remain flexible. Things happen. Things change very frequently and maintain that open mind and positive attitude. That will help you get through any circumstances.

PILGRIM: You know, Tanya, it's very tough, I'm sure, when the spouse comes home. That's a whole different set of skills. Tell us a little bit about that.

QUEIRO: When the spouse returns, again, that same philosophy somewhat applies. You have to remain flexible because your spouse has just endured months or years worth of possible combat and with that entails a whole different mindset.

They also have to assimilate back in their home environment, assume the roles that they had before, whether it be the spouse or the father. And with that there comes that uneasy phase at first and then it takes a while for them to get back in the routine of the home life and somewhat relate and kind of reflect on what their responsibilities are here.

So again, remain flexible. Maintain that open mind. And also, if you see any instances or changes that may concern you, there are always programs and services out there to assist you as a spouse and assist your military service member to help, again, cope and manage and adjust when they return.

PILGRIM: There's really one thing I'd like to let our audience know about you. You were also a staff sergeant in the Marines yourself for 13 years. This gives you considerable insight.

We are almost out of time but with the multiple tours in this conflict, it certainly has to add considerably more pressure, don't you think?

QUEIRO: It does. If a household is dual service, there are additional challenges and obstacles but again as long as you maintain that positive mindset and you continue to strive to do your best, there are always -- there's always a support network. There are always programs and services there available to you. To use and that can help you get through any situation.

PILGRIM: Tanya Queiro, you are an inspiration to us all. Congratulations on your award as Military Spouse of the Year and we wish you the absolute best and all your family. Thanks for being with us this afternoon.

QUEIRO: Thank you so much. Have a great Memorial Day.

PILGRIM: You, too.

Next, a combat nurse treats wounded soldiers while recovering from her own wounds.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PILGRIM: Commander Lenora Langlais has been a military nurse for more than 20 years serving in the Air Force, Army and the Navy. She was deployed to Iraq where she cared for wounded troops while recovering from wounds of her own.

Philippa Holland has her story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) HOLLAND: As a senior naval officer, Commander Lenora Langlais didn't have to deploy to Iraq. But a conversation with a junior sailor changed her life.

LENORA LANGLAIS, U.S. NAVY NURSE CORPS: And he said, "Commander, have you deployed?" That was a moment of just realization that I have yet to deploy and I had no idea where I was sending my sailors so I wanted to be able to identify with that.

HOLLAND: She volunteered to serve in Iraq leaving behind her husband and five children.

She was a senior combat nurse at Camp Taqaddum on the outskirts of Fallujah. Though her vast nursing experience served her well in the war zone, Langlais was surprised by what she learned.

LANGLAIS: I hadn't seen combat injuries so I learned quickly that my skills, although very important, were even at a point of development of its own.

HOLLAND: The nurse became the patient on April 7th, 2006, when her base came under attack. Langlais was hit in the neck by shrapnel of a mortar.

LANGLAIS: I knew that whatever it was it was bad and I was going to end up going to the OR and the patient of my team that I had just trained.

HOLLAND: Langlais was in surgery for two and a half hours to repair a laceration in her neck that severed three facial nerves. Only hours after her surgery she was back on duty.

LANGLAIS: We had unfortunately a young marine who was receiving medications that started to have a reaction. So at 10:00 that night I was up six hours later after major surgery and giving care.

HOLLAND: Langlais could have come home early because of her wound but she refused and stayed in Iraq for several months

DANIEL LANGLAIS, COMMANDER LANGLAIS'S HUSBAND: The only way that she was going to come home pretty much is if somebody told her that you have to come home, you have to leave. And so she stayed there and I think fortunate for the troops there, for the care she continued to give to the troops.

Philippa Holland, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PILGRIM: Commander Langlais was awarded the Purple Heart and she now works to recruit others for the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps.

Thanks for being with us tonight.

Please join us tomorrow.

For all of us here, Happy Memorial Day.

A "TIME 100 ANDERSON COOPER 360 SPECIAL: THE WORLD'S MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE" starts right now.