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Interview With Community Member of Jessica Lynch's Hometown

Aired July 22, 2003 - 13:30   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.


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Also with us, Annette Easton, Patty talked a lot about the community. Annette works for Dick's Market, a local story there in Jessica Lynch's hometown. She joins us live. Annette, tell us how the community is reacting to just the homecoming of your local girl.
ANNETTE EASTON, OWNER, DICK'S MARKET: Oh it's just -- it's ecstatic. People are running around with smiles and all kinds of energy.

PHILLIPS: And tell me what you are planning as an employee there at the local market. What are you planning? What are you providing for this homecoming?

EASTON: Actually, most of the employees, I said, are dressed in their, you know, yellow ribbons and red white and blue attire. We haven't been real busy today. Yesterday, we were a little bit busy. But most of the employees, we're all going to be standing out front with flags and our ribbons and shirts on to show Jessi that we've missed her and we're welcoming her back.

PHILLIPS: Annette, tell me what your t-shirt says. I'm trying to read it.

EASTON: It says "Welcome Home, Jessi." And it says, "Pride of Wirt County and our world."

PHILLIPS: Are you passing these t-shirts out to everybody in the community there?

EASTON: Actually, these went on sale after Jessica's -- was found. And there's a couple places in town that has them for sale, but we are not one of them. I hear they're hard to come by.

PHILLIPS: I'm sure they are. You're lucky that you received one.

Tell me where you're standing. What's behind you? Is this the podium where she's expected to come in front of and speak? What is this behind you?

EASTON: Yes. Yes that is what that is where all the important people will be sitting.

PHILLIPS: Well, Annette, tell me, is this going to be an all-day affair? Give us a feel for what we can expect. And also, too, so many people have talked about how they're hoping that Jessica's privacy will be respected and she'll be given just the time to relax and not be overwhelmed. How has the community planned that out? Does everybody come together and sort of devise a strategy on how you're not going to overwhelm this hometown hero?

EASTON: Yes. A lot of people just when they come in and talking to them, a lot of people realize that she's going to need the quiet time, the time with her family, the time to heal.

And, you know, this is a close-knit community. And, you know, we were there, you know, when she was gone. We're there when she was found. We're here now and she knows we're going to be here. And this town is going to give her that time to heal. And when she's ready, then, we're -- then we'll be ready for her.

And the streets are lined -- it's unbelievable. I was surprised at the number of people that were out.

PHILLIPS: Now, Dick's Market, this is the local -- is this where everybody shops?

EASTON: It's one of two of the big grocers in this small town.

PHILLIPS: Sop I'm just wondering, are you guys going to provide free groceries for her and her family?

EASTON: Actually, through all this, we have made several donations.

PHILLIPS: I can just...

EASTON: You know, a lot of people -- Coca-Cola, right now, is set up here at the park, at several places in town, handing out, you know, free drinks and beverages for today. And they have donated beverages to go out to the Lynch home a family member was in this morning and got.

PHILLIPS: That's wonderful. Annette Easton, there, local employee in Dick's Market, getting ready for the homecoming of Jessica Lynch. Annette, thank you so much for your time and enjoy the celebration.

EASTON: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com





Hometown>


Aired July 22, 2003 - 13:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Also with us, Annette Easton, Patty talked a lot about the community. Annette works for Dick's Market, a local story there in Jessica Lynch's hometown. She joins us live. Annette, tell us how the community is reacting to just the homecoming of your local girl.
ANNETTE EASTON, OWNER, DICK'S MARKET: Oh it's just -- it's ecstatic. People are running around with smiles and all kinds of energy.

PHILLIPS: And tell me what you are planning as an employee there at the local market. What are you planning? What are you providing for this homecoming?

EASTON: Actually, most of the employees, I said, are dressed in their, you know, yellow ribbons and red white and blue attire. We haven't been real busy today. Yesterday, we were a little bit busy. But most of the employees, we're all going to be standing out front with flags and our ribbons and shirts on to show Jessi that we've missed her and we're welcoming her back.

PHILLIPS: Annette, tell me what your t-shirt says. I'm trying to read it.

EASTON: It says "Welcome Home, Jessi." And it says, "Pride of Wirt County and our world."

PHILLIPS: Are you passing these t-shirts out to everybody in the community there?

EASTON: Actually, these went on sale after Jessica's -- was found. And there's a couple places in town that has them for sale, but we are not one of them. I hear they're hard to come by.

PHILLIPS: I'm sure they are. You're lucky that you received one.

Tell me where you're standing. What's behind you? Is this the podium where she's expected to come in front of and speak? What is this behind you?

EASTON: Yes. Yes that is what that is where all the important people will be sitting.

PHILLIPS: Well, Annette, tell me, is this going to be an all-day affair? Give us a feel for what we can expect. And also, too, so many people have talked about how they're hoping that Jessica's privacy will be respected and she'll be given just the time to relax and not be overwhelmed. How has the community planned that out? Does everybody come together and sort of devise a strategy on how you're not going to overwhelm this hometown hero?

EASTON: Yes. A lot of people just when they come in and talking to them, a lot of people realize that she's going to need the quiet time, the time with her family, the time to heal.

And, you know, this is a close-knit community. And, you know, we were there, you know, when she was gone. We're there when she was found. We're here now and she knows we're going to be here. And this town is going to give her that time to heal. And when she's ready, then, we're -- then we'll be ready for her.

And the streets are lined -- it's unbelievable. I was surprised at the number of people that were out.

PHILLIPS: Now, Dick's Market, this is the local -- is this where everybody shops?

EASTON: It's one of two of the big grocers in this small town.

PHILLIPS: Sop I'm just wondering, are you guys going to provide free groceries for her and her family?

EASTON: Actually, through all this, we have made several donations.

PHILLIPS: I can just...

EASTON: You know, a lot of people -- Coca-Cola, right now, is set up here at the park, at several places in town, handing out, you know, free drinks and beverages for today. And they have donated beverages to go out to the Lynch home a family member was in this morning and got.

PHILLIPS: That's wonderful. Annette Easton, there, local employee in Dick's Market, getting ready for the homecoming of Jessica Lynch. Annette, thank you so much for your time and enjoy the celebration.

EASTON: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com





Hometown>