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Live From...
Cease-Fire Endangered in Kufa; Fighting 69th Going to Iraq
Aired May 31, 2004 - 13:57 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.
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR: That's the sound of a cease-fire under fire. A street battle erupts near Najaf and CNN cameras give you an exclusive look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They took buckets of blood and threw it on the buses at us, I mean, "baby killer," all that kind of stuff. You know, these men ain't getting that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: What can soldiers fresh back from Iraq learn from veterans of the Vietnam War?
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I'm meteorologist Jacqui Jeras, after a weekend of deadly tornadoes, more severe weather on the way for the East. We'll have the latest and your travel forecast coming up.
GRIFFIN: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Drew Griffin.
NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. Miles and Kyra are off. This hour of CNN's LIVE FROM... starts right now.
A nation at war in Iraq and Afghanistan as pausing to remember those who died serving their country. You're looking at a live picture of the National Mall in Washington where there has been a steady drizzle for most of this Memorial Day. Today caps a weekend of events in the nation's capital. Some of the celebrations have been solemn, some more festive.
Thousands turned out for this morning's parade in Washington. At Arlington National Cemetery President Bush placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. He had a few words for those now fighting overseas.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Since the hour this nation was attacked, we have seen the character of the men and women who wear our country's uniform. In places like Kabul and Kandahar, in Mosul and Baghdad, we have seen their decency and their brave spirit. Because of their fierce courage, America is safer. Two terror regimes are gone forever, and more than 50 million souls now live in freedom.
(END VIDEO CLIP) GRIFFIN: Democratic presidential candidate and veteran of the Vietnam War, John Kerry, is among those marking Memorial Day in Washington. We're going to go to CNN's Sean Callebs who has been watching it all on the National Mall.
Good afternoon, Sean.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Drew.
From the celebratory, the parade this morning, to the more somber. You talked about Massachusetts Senator John Kerry. He was at the Wall early this morning with the family of William Bronson. Bronson was serving in Vietnam in 1968, was wounded. He passed away in 1976.
Kerry really leading the effort to have Bronson's name added to the list of 56,000-plus on the wall. That has been done. Today Kerry over there at a very silent, somber tribute this morning with Bronson's family.
Now, just a short while ago, homeland security chief Tom Ridge led a tribute to the Vietnam Memorial. That's wrapping up right now. It has really been quite a weekend here for veterans here in the nation's capital.
Of course, a centerpiece of all the attention focused on World War II veterans and the opening of the World War II Memorial, 195 million structure. Really, after listening to the vets, they think it is an absolutely phenomenal structure. Granite, lots of bronze, 4000 bronze stars, each one denoting 100 U.S. servicemen who lost their lives fighting in World War II.
A lot of veterans say this was a long time coming. But they're certainly gratified to see it today, very heartfelt by the outpouring of emotions this weekend for the World War II veterans.
We have to talk about the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Richard Myers. We've seen him at the Pentagon briefings wearing, of course, his brass. Well, he traded it in for some leather chaps this weekend, taking part in Rolling Thunder. Some 2600 motorcycles making their way from the Pentagon to Washington. Their cause, they're trying to bring attention to the POW/MIA issue, something they feel very strongly about. They really make their presence known in the Washington, D.C. area over the weekend. Even had a short meeting with President Bush trying to bring the plight of MIA/POW issue to light.
So Drew, it has been a very full weekend here in the nation's capital. Of course a lot of people still talking about the World War II Memorial. And even though it is raining, drizzling, not the best weather conditions here today, we see a lot of World War II veterans out certainly enjoying the attention focused on them this weekend.
GRIFFIN: Sean, a lot of us who haven't been to the memorial yet have been wondering if the same feeling you get at the Vietnam Memorial, it is much more somber at the Vietnam Memorial. It always has been. Is it more celebratory at the World War II monument? CALLEBS: It certainly -- you don't get that sort of somber -- when you go by the wall, is it virtually quiet. People just make their way down through, looking at the seemingly endless list of 56.000 names. The World War II monument, dramatically different. It's a very open structure. The water sort of adds a certain sense of life to it. And you can walk through and you can look at the various names of the various battles that we've all read about in our history books.
And It is interesting to see the veterans there themselves. A lot of young people going up, talking to them, asking them what it was like, offering their thanks for the service that the greatest generation gave to this nation. Certainly isn't that same somber feeling. Something a lot closer to your heart.
GRIFFIN: Sean Callebs on the National Mall, thanks for that. Memorial Day has special meaning for U.S. forces serving in war zones, especially those in Iraq and Afghanistan where the fighting and dying continues.
(TAPS PLAYING)
"Taps" and a moment of silence observed earlier today at Camp Phoenix, outside Afghanistan's capital. The troops there are among 20,000 U.S.-led coalition forces still serving in Afghanistan. And in Baghdad, the top U.S. commander in Iraq reminded his troops of their mission. Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez also urged them never to forget their comrades who have died.
NGUYEN: From the war zone to the storm zone. The Midwest has been battered by severe storms this Memorial Day holiday. Eight people have been killed. Those storms also spawned a slew of tornadoes that cut a widespread path of destruction.
CNN's Keith Oppenheim surveys the damage in Marengo, Indiana.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You can see the power of the tornado as you look around here in Marengo, Indiana. Behind me the roof of that house was sheared off. We have another camera perspective just to show you how much debris has been strewn around as a result of this fast moving tornado. And as we move on up, you can see all the power lines that are dangling and also the crews that are busy working here to try to restore some of the services. But it's going to take a long time to clean up the tree damage, the power lines that are down, and, of course, all the home damage.
Back to our other camera. We can see that there are people looking around and also a lot of people who are very busy trying to clean up. It is really neighbor helping neighbor out here. For a while people were just looking around devastated, trying to figure out what to do. But they've become quite busy.
The good news is that there has only been one fatality as a result. And when you see all the damage that we have had out here, it is amazing that only one person has died from this terrible storm.
Now there are damage assessments going on to try to find out not only the strength of this system but also how much money and time it is going to take to clean up the community of Marengo, Indiana.
Reporting in Marengo, I'm Keith Oppenheim. Now back to you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: We want to get a check on those storms now. CNN meteorologist Jacqui Jeras is in this Weather Center following it all.
Jacqui, what's the latest at this hour?
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, Betty, still some very strong storms across parts of the Southeast. This is a 24-hour radar loop here showing you these storms as they evolve and move on through. And look at those bright reds just holding together all the way through. Our biggest concern at this hour is the potential for some isolated tornadoes.
There is a tornado watch from New Orleans extending all the way along the I-10 corridor here over into the southwestern parts of Georgia, includes much of the Florida panhandle. So far things looking OK. Just a lot of lightning, maybe some small hail. Another area that we're watching for today is the mid-Atlantic. We saw the reports earlier, a little bit of drizzle around Washington, D.C.
This is an area that may fire up later on this afternoon. The reason why we still have a little bit of a question mark, take a look at this satellite picture. A lot of cloudiness here across parts of the East. If we get that sunshine breaking out today, things are going to destabilize very, very quickly, and that's when those thunderstorms are going to start developing and erupting and could become severe.
So a large area that we're looking at for today in the slight risk category. It was high risk yesterday and the day before. So we're not anticipating any big outbreaks today. But isolated severe storms are going to be possible. Some other travel troubles for you. Atlanta looking at delays around an hour. You're sitting on the ground at least two hours at Chicago O'Hare.
Some travel trouble on the roadways across the upper Midwest and some very windy conditions. Even Denver a bit on the breezy side for today. All throughout the Dakotas and into parts of Minnesota. Best travel back today will be across the West. Heat also a bit of an issue across southern parts of Texas, Victoria into Corpus Christi. And also Orlando, looking at heat indices right around 100 degrees today. So a lot of weather hazards across this country. Slight risk of severe thunderstorms tomorrow right here along the tail end of our front -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Kind of a rainy day on this Memorial Day, not good for those barbecues, Jacqui.
JERAS: I know. Out west they can do it, that's about it.
NGUYEN: All right, thank you.
GRIFFIN: In other news across America now, a day on the links turns deadly for a golfer in Colorado. A 47-year-old man was killed Saturday when lightning struck a driving range at a golf course in Littleton. The golfer's teen son and three other people were hurt. Witnesses say the lightning came without warning from overcast skies.
Rites denied at a Catholic Church in Chicago. The Holy Name Cathedral refused to give communion to gay rights supporters wearing rainbow colored sashes. Chicago's cardinal instructed these priests to do so, saying the sashes oppose the church's doctrine on homosexuality.
It's a drive to victory for late night talk show host David Letterman. His driver, Buddy Rice, won the Indy 500 yesterday. Letterman co-owns Rice's racing team. Buddy Rice will talk about his funny boss and his first Indy victory on LIVE FROM... Wednesday, don't miss it.
And your long commute could be making you fat. A new study finds the more people drive, the larger their waistlines. A survey here in Atlanta found drivers had a 3 percent greater chance of being obese, and that appears for every 30 extra minutes they drive.
NGUYEN: We should all move closer to work then.
Well, people along coastal Georgia are enjoying this Memorial Day before thousands of security forces and journalists hit the beach. President Bush will hit host the Group of Eight summit on Sea Island next week. CNN's David Mattingly has more on the security preps there and anxieties about terrorism.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHIEF MATT DOERING, GLYNN COUNTY POLICE: We have an area that's not a metropolitan that's really backed up with traffic all the time.
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For 21 years, Chief Matt Doering has worked to keep the peace on some of Georgia's most visited coastal islands. In just a matter of days, quiet towns that are known for towering live oaks and lavish resorts will brace for what some are calling a hurricane; a storm of security, media and protesters for the G-8 summit on Georgia's Sea Island.
DOERING: Our most concern is an act of terrorism that is very hard to predict.
MATTINGLY: Hard to predict and unsettling in a local culture accustomed to dealing only with changes of tides and seasons. Shrimper Marcus McCall worries enough about terrorism to send his family away and sail his boat out of state waters.
MARCUS MCCALL, SHRIMP BOAT CAPTAIN: I don't care how much security they say they have. They were supposed to have security on the World Trade Center.
MATTINGLY: The Army has set up anti-aircraft weapons in full view, just ahead of the 20,000-strong security force due to arrive. Already the 76 officers of the town of Brunswick patrol on the lookout for FBI suspects. And the public is encouraged to report anyone suspicious. Look what happened to us after taking pictures of the local airport.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Does everything check out?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you. Yes, sir.
MATTINGLY: Acting on a call, three officers converged to collect our IDs and Social Security numbers.
(on camera): And security will only get tighter. By the time G- 8 delegates arrive, airports will close, marinas will shut down and beaches that should be filled with tourists could be replaced by highways snarled by checkpoints.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We just don't feel like there's going to be a lot of tourism.
MATTINGLY (voice-over): So some shops will be closing. And some residents say they'll take their own vacations. But most, like Benji Bluestein (ph) plan to hunker down, worried not so much about terrorism as about protest-driven vandalism and gridlock, all in a place developed by people trying to get away from it all and wondering what to do now that it's all coming to them.
David Mattingly, CNN, Sea Island, Georgia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GRIFFIN: And up next, the breaking of a cease-fire. CNN is there as insurgents open fire on U.S. forces in Kufa, Iraq.
NGUYEN: Held in reserve for decades. The famous Fighting 69th is back in action, packing up and shipping out.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GRIFFIN: In Iraq, the sprint to June 30 and sovereignty has hit more hurdles as the violence and bloodshed continues. A car bomb went off near the coalition Green Zone in Baghdad today. The powerful explosion killed four Iraqis and wounded 25 more. Meanwhile, it is still not clear who will be Iraq's interim president. U.S. officials in Iraq's Governing Council are said to be divided over the issue. A coalition spokesman would say that U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi will announce the new government when he's "ready."
NGUYEN: And there is supposed to be a cease-fire in the Iraqi city of Kufa, but it hasn't been holding very well. And last night it exploded in a gun battle that left two American soldiers dead. Our Guy Roz filed this exclusive report from Kufa where he is embedded 237th Armored Battalion. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GUY ROZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This was supposed to be day three of a truce. But as a reconnaissance patrol, Task Force 237, approached the center of town, insurgents opened fire from a cemetery near the Kufa mosque.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Shooting at 2:00.
ROZ: For well over an hour, 100 U.S. troops and tanks and armored carriers fought a pitched battle with fighters loyal to the Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Mehdi militia fighters remain holed up behind this wall of a Kufa cemetery. U.S. military officials believe at least 30 suspected insurgents were killed in this fight. Rocket- propelled grenades and small arms fire for the insurgents killed two U.S. soldiers as well. The first time u.s. troops have fallen in battle here in six weeks of fighting.
The truce, declared by Sadr's militia, is viewed with considerable skepticism among U.S. forces.
PFC NOAH FREEDMAN, TASK FORCE 237: I didn't expect the other side would be respecting the cease-fire. I figured the other side, they were going to keep firing. I mean, the first day of the cease- fire we took mortar fire here on camp.
ROZ: Military commanders have temporarily suspended offensive operations. This is regarded as a defensive engagement.
LT. COL. PAT WHITE, TASK FORCE 237: We will continue to develop the situation in Kufa to get a feel for what's going on with the Mehdi Army. And at some point Sadr is going to have to come out and tell the world and at least Najaf, OK, this is the situation that I'm in, tell my guys to disarm. And he's either going to have to disown the people in Kufa and say, hey, those aren't my guys over there, my guys are all over here with me, or he's going to have to own up to it that those are Mehdi Army that are still inside that mosque with weapons, as you saw tonight.
ROZ: Six weeks since intense fighting broke out here, hundreds of insurgents have been killed. U.S. forces are hoping the latest fighting may finally force Muqtada al-Sadr's hand.
Guy Roz, CNN, Kufa, Iraq.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Well, it is off to war for one of New York's most famous National Guard Reserve units. The Fighting 69th is headed to Iraq. It's the first time the unit has gone into battle in decades.
CNN's Jason Carroll has their war story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They marched in unison, stood before their family members. It's a proud day for the 69th Infantry, and a sad one, too.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, daddy doesn't come home for a long time..
CARROLL: Christopher Daniels (ph) and Alejandro Cintano (ph) are leaving their families.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Listen to your teachers and listen to your mother.
CARROLL: They'll be gone for more than a year, fighting in a National Guard Reserve units that been doing battle for more than 100 years.
LT. COL. JEFFREY BLACK, FIGHTING 69TH: I'd say we're probably New York's most famous regiment.
CARROLL: Tour their armory...
BLACK: That's an original letter by Abraham Lincoln.
CARROLL: ... and get a lesson in why they're called the Fighting 69th. Formed in 1851, most Irish immigrants. So tough Robert E. Lee added fighting to their name after battling them in Fredericksburg. Their faces have changed, so has their focus.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is your boots, your chemical suit.
CARROLL: For the first time since World War II, they're headed back into battle. They're packed...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You've got your blankets, your sleeping pad.
CARROLL: ... trained...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
CARROLL: ... but few are ready to say good-bye.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You going to miss daddy?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can I have a kiss?
CARROLL (on camera): So you have one that's 5, another child that's 3. How do you explain to them in terms that they can understand what's happening, what's going on?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I just try to tell her that daddy's not coming home for a long time. Where is daddy going, Kimmy?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Iraq. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They know that there's a war going on out there, and there are soldiers dying and stuff like that. And I think that's the part that scares them the most.
CARROLL (voice-over): These are the good-byes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I love you. Don't forget that.
CARROLL: One last hug as the 69th marches on.
Jason Carroll, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Ahead on LIVE FROM... this Memorial Day, fighting for the veterans' vote, who has the advantage, Bush or Kerry?
GRIFFIN: And everybody into the pool, even the babies. Teaching the youngest children to love the water.
NGUYEN: Plus, the boy wizard returns. Watch out, "Shrek" you're about to get some competition.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Plan on relaxing by the pool this Memorial Day? Well, don't forget to keep a close eye on those kids. A new campaign is urging parents to supervise young children to prevent drownings. Some families are also finding out a simple program can save a child's life.
CNN's John Zarrella has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Not long ago, 4 1/2-year-old Avi Stein (ph) climbed the backyard pool fence for a ball and fell in the water. His mother had left him alone for just a minute.
CYNTHIA STEIN, MOTHER: Luckily he learned the skills here and when I found him, he was at the pool's edge already.
ZARRELLA: Avi had taken a children's swim program called Aqua Child. It teaches kids to get on their backs, float, catch their breath and swim to the edge when they fall into the water. With summer upon us, the National Safe Kids Campaign is urging parents to actively supervise their young children. A Safe Kids study analyzed 490 cases of children who drowned during a two-year period. Shockingly, nine of 10 were being supervised at the time. Safe Kids found parents are not always focused.
ANGELA MICKALIOE, SAFE KIDS CAMPAIGN: They talked about some alarmingly distracting behaviors including talking on the cell phone, talking to friends, eating, reading. And some even admitted to closing their eyes and relaxing while they were watching the kids around the pool or the lake.
ZARRELLA: Safe Kids recommends layers of protection, fencing around the pool, active supervision, wearing personal flotation devices, and swimming lessons.
:UNIDENTIFIED CHILD I don't want to do it again.
ZARRELLA: Savannah Rudy (ph) was not a happy camper at her first Aqua Child swim lesson. But halfway through the six-week program, she's coming along swimmingly. Instructor Scott Launer says the course is tough love. Kids cry a lot. But he says the parents understand it's worth it.
SCOTT LAUNER, AQUA CHILD INSTRUCTOR: I said to her, man, I'm really sorry that he hasn't stopped crying. And she said, well, I'd rather him cry here six weeks than me cry the rest of my life if he drowns.
ZARRELLA: Safe Kids cautions a parent's responsibility doesn't change just because a child had swim lessons. Active supervision is still the best protection.
John Zarrella, CNN, Miami.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GRIFFIN: The chairman of the joint chiefs of staff speaking out about wars past and present this Memorial Day. General Richard Myers compares the stakes during World War II to the war against terrorism. He also talked about the Rolling Thunder rally of Vietnam-era veterans.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEN. RICHARD MYERS, CHMN., JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: It's indescribable as you turn the corner onto Memorial Bridge and there are hundreds, thousands of people lining the streets, and they're all cheering, they're all waving American flags. And there's a chill that goes up your spine that is so, so important. And I think for the Vietnam vets, many of whom returned to this country having to change uniforms before they went to an international airport or before they went home, so they wouldn't be jeered at, I think it's a very appropriate event and very poignant for many, many people, to include myself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GRIFFIN: And as we mentioned earlier, General Myers, donned in leather, was among those who took part in the Rolling Thunder ride today.
NGUYEN: Her colleagues call her "killer chick". That's right. It's a sign of respect for the fighter pilot who survived a missile attack over Baghdad. CNN's Gary Tuchman has her story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): During the peak of the air war over Iraq, A-10 pilot Kim Campbell's life hung in the balance on a cloudy night over Baghdad.
(on camera): Do you think you're a hero?
CAPT. KIM CAMPBELL, U.S. AIR FORCE: No, not at all. I was doing my job that day and I'm very lucky to be back home.
TUCHMAN: Luck had something to do with it. But Air Force colleagues say heroism did, too. Captain Campbell, also known as "killer chick" or K.C., was hit by Iraqi fire over Baghdad. Her attack jet lost its hydraulic power. CNN was embedded with her squadron at the base on the Iraqi border where she safely landed.
UNIDENTIFIED CNN CORRESPONDENT: Did you think you were going to make it back or that you would have to eject from the plane?
CAMPBELL: There was a quick second where I knew it was a possibility. But in my mind, I knew I had no desire to eject over Baghdad.
Experts believe that a surface-to-air missile impacted somewhere in this area, and then as it hit it sent shrapnel from the missile into both the inside of the right tail and also the fuselage here.
TUCHMAN: K.C. is now back at North Carolina's Pope Air Force Base with her new A-10. Home since July, she says she remains a strong supporter of the U.S. role in Iraq.
CAMPBELL: No one said this was going to be easy. And we know it's going to be tough. And we'll be there as long as the mission calls for it.
TUCHMAN: The 28-year-old has received awards and accolades. She makes two to three speeches a month while continuing her training.
CAMPBELL: Our squadron will most likely be deploying later on this year. And I'm more than happy to go back.
TUCHMAN (on camera): Would your family like to see you not fly combat missions anymore?
CAMPBELL: They know that I love what I do. And they know that I'm willing to take risks, and this is something that I'd be willing to give my life for because I believe in it . And my parents aren't going to tell me that I can't do it, certainly not at age 28 anyway.
TUCHMAN (voice-over): Gary Tuchman, CNN, Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina.
(END VIDEOTAPE) 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 May 31, 2004 - 13:57 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR: That's the sound of a cease-fire under fire. A street battle erupts near Najaf and CNN cameras give you an exclusive look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They took buckets of blood and threw it on the buses at us, I mean, "baby killer," all that kind of stuff. You know, these men ain't getting that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: What can soldiers fresh back from Iraq learn from veterans of the Vietnam War?
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I'm meteorologist Jacqui Jeras, after a weekend of deadly tornadoes, more severe weather on the way for the East. We'll have the latest and your travel forecast coming up.
GRIFFIN: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Drew Griffin.
NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. Miles and Kyra are off. This hour of CNN's LIVE FROM... starts right now.
A nation at war in Iraq and Afghanistan as pausing to remember those who died serving their country. You're looking at a live picture of the National Mall in Washington where there has been a steady drizzle for most of this Memorial Day. Today caps a weekend of events in the nation's capital. Some of the celebrations have been solemn, some more festive.
Thousands turned out for this morning's parade in Washington. At Arlington National Cemetery President Bush placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. He had a few words for those now fighting overseas.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Since the hour this nation was attacked, we have seen the character of the men and women who wear our country's uniform. In places like Kabul and Kandahar, in Mosul and Baghdad, we have seen their decency and their brave spirit. Because of their fierce courage, America is safer. Two terror regimes are gone forever, and more than 50 million souls now live in freedom.
(END VIDEO CLIP) GRIFFIN: Democratic presidential candidate and veteran of the Vietnam War, John Kerry, is among those marking Memorial Day in Washington. We're going to go to CNN's Sean Callebs who has been watching it all on the National Mall.
Good afternoon, Sean.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Drew.
From the celebratory, the parade this morning, to the more somber. You talked about Massachusetts Senator John Kerry. He was at the Wall early this morning with the family of William Bronson. Bronson was serving in Vietnam in 1968, was wounded. He passed away in 1976.
Kerry really leading the effort to have Bronson's name added to the list of 56,000-plus on the wall. That has been done. Today Kerry over there at a very silent, somber tribute this morning with Bronson's family.
Now, just a short while ago, homeland security chief Tom Ridge led a tribute to the Vietnam Memorial. That's wrapping up right now. It has really been quite a weekend here for veterans here in the nation's capital.
Of course, a centerpiece of all the attention focused on World War II veterans and the opening of the World War II Memorial, 195 million structure. Really, after listening to the vets, they think it is an absolutely phenomenal structure. Granite, lots of bronze, 4000 bronze stars, each one denoting 100 U.S. servicemen who lost their lives fighting in World War II.
A lot of veterans say this was a long time coming. But they're certainly gratified to see it today, very heartfelt by the outpouring of emotions this weekend for the World War II veterans.
We have to talk about the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Richard Myers. We've seen him at the Pentagon briefings wearing, of course, his brass. Well, he traded it in for some leather chaps this weekend, taking part in Rolling Thunder. Some 2600 motorcycles making their way from the Pentagon to Washington. Their cause, they're trying to bring attention to the POW/MIA issue, something they feel very strongly about. They really make their presence known in the Washington, D.C. area over the weekend. Even had a short meeting with President Bush trying to bring the plight of MIA/POW issue to light.
So Drew, it has been a very full weekend here in the nation's capital. Of course a lot of people still talking about the World War II Memorial. And even though it is raining, drizzling, not the best weather conditions here today, we see a lot of World War II veterans out certainly enjoying the attention focused on them this weekend.
GRIFFIN: Sean, a lot of us who haven't been to the memorial yet have been wondering if the same feeling you get at the Vietnam Memorial, it is much more somber at the Vietnam Memorial. It always has been. Is it more celebratory at the World War II monument? CALLEBS: It certainly -- you don't get that sort of somber -- when you go by the wall, is it virtually quiet. People just make their way down through, looking at the seemingly endless list of 56.000 names. The World War II monument, dramatically different. It's a very open structure. The water sort of adds a certain sense of life to it. And you can walk through and you can look at the various names of the various battles that we've all read about in our history books.
And It is interesting to see the veterans there themselves. A lot of young people going up, talking to them, asking them what it was like, offering their thanks for the service that the greatest generation gave to this nation. Certainly isn't that same somber feeling. Something a lot closer to your heart.
GRIFFIN: Sean Callebs on the National Mall, thanks for that. Memorial Day has special meaning for U.S. forces serving in war zones, especially those in Iraq and Afghanistan where the fighting and dying continues.
(TAPS PLAYING)
"Taps" and a moment of silence observed earlier today at Camp Phoenix, outside Afghanistan's capital. The troops there are among 20,000 U.S.-led coalition forces still serving in Afghanistan. And in Baghdad, the top U.S. commander in Iraq reminded his troops of their mission. Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez also urged them never to forget their comrades who have died.
NGUYEN: From the war zone to the storm zone. The Midwest has been battered by severe storms this Memorial Day holiday. Eight people have been killed. Those storms also spawned a slew of tornadoes that cut a widespread path of destruction.
CNN's Keith Oppenheim surveys the damage in Marengo, Indiana.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You can see the power of the tornado as you look around here in Marengo, Indiana. Behind me the roof of that house was sheared off. We have another camera perspective just to show you how much debris has been strewn around as a result of this fast moving tornado. And as we move on up, you can see all the power lines that are dangling and also the crews that are busy working here to try to restore some of the services. But it's going to take a long time to clean up the tree damage, the power lines that are down, and, of course, all the home damage.
Back to our other camera. We can see that there are people looking around and also a lot of people who are very busy trying to clean up. It is really neighbor helping neighbor out here. For a while people were just looking around devastated, trying to figure out what to do. But they've become quite busy.
The good news is that there has only been one fatality as a result. And when you see all the damage that we have had out here, it is amazing that only one person has died from this terrible storm.
Now there are damage assessments going on to try to find out not only the strength of this system but also how much money and time it is going to take to clean up the community of Marengo, Indiana.
Reporting in Marengo, I'm Keith Oppenheim. Now back to you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: We want to get a check on those storms now. CNN meteorologist Jacqui Jeras is in this Weather Center following it all.
Jacqui, what's the latest at this hour?
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, Betty, still some very strong storms across parts of the Southeast. This is a 24-hour radar loop here showing you these storms as they evolve and move on through. And look at those bright reds just holding together all the way through. Our biggest concern at this hour is the potential for some isolated tornadoes.
There is a tornado watch from New Orleans extending all the way along the I-10 corridor here over into the southwestern parts of Georgia, includes much of the Florida panhandle. So far things looking OK. Just a lot of lightning, maybe some small hail. Another area that we're watching for today is the mid-Atlantic. We saw the reports earlier, a little bit of drizzle around Washington, D.C.
This is an area that may fire up later on this afternoon. The reason why we still have a little bit of a question mark, take a look at this satellite picture. A lot of cloudiness here across parts of the East. If we get that sunshine breaking out today, things are going to destabilize very, very quickly, and that's when those thunderstorms are going to start developing and erupting and could become severe.
So a large area that we're looking at for today in the slight risk category. It was high risk yesterday and the day before. So we're not anticipating any big outbreaks today. But isolated severe storms are going to be possible. Some other travel troubles for you. Atlanta looking at delays around an hour. You're sitting on the ground at least two hours at Chicago O'Hare.
Some travel trouble on the roadways across the upper Midwest and some very windy conditions. Even Denver a bit on the breezy side for today. All throughout the Dakotas and into parts of Minnesota. Best travel back today will be across the West. Heat also a bit of an issue across southern parts of Texas, Victoria into Corpus Christi. And also Orlando, looking at heat indices right around 100 degrees today. So a lot of weather hazards across this country. Slight risk of severe thunderstorms tomorrow right here along the tail end of our front -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Kind of a rainy day on this Memorial Day, not good for those barbecues, Jacqui.
JERAS: I know. Out west they can do it, that's about it.
NGUYEN: All right, thank you.
GRIFFIN: In other news across America now, a day on the links turns deadly for a golfer in Colorado. A 47-year-old man was killed Saturday when lightning struck a driving range at a golf course in Littleton. The golfer's teen son and three other people were hurt. Witnesses say the lightning came without warning from overcast skies.
Rites denied at a Catholic Church in Chicago. The Holy Name Cathedral refused to give communion to gay rights supporters wearing rainbow colored sashes. Chicago's cardinal instructed these priests to do so, saying the sashes oppose the church's doctrine on homosexuality.
It's a drive to victory for late night talk show host David Letterman. His driver, Buddy Rice, won the Indy 500 yesterday. Letterman co-owns Rice's racing team. Buddy Rice will talk about his funny boss and his first Indy victory on LIVE FROM... Wednesday, don't miss it.
And your long commute could be making you fat. A new study finds the more people drive, the larger their waistlines. A survey here in Atlanta found drivers had a 3 percent greater chance of being obese, and that appears for every 30 extra minutes they drive.
NGUYEN: We should all move closer to work then.
Well, people along coastal Georgia are enjoying this Memorial Day before thousands of security forces and journalists hit the beach. President Bush will hit host the Group of Eight summit on Sea Island next week. CNN's David Mattingly has more on the security preps there and anxieties about terrorism.
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CHIEF MATT DOERING, GLYNN COUNTY POLICE: We have an area that's not a metropolitan that's really backed up with traffic all the time.
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For 21 years, Chief Matt Doering has worked to keep the peace on some of Georgia's most visited coastal islands. In just a matter of days, quiet towns that are known for towering live oaks and lavish resorts will brace for what some are calling a hurricane; a storm of security, media and protesters for the G-8 summit on Georgia's Sea Island.
DOERING: Our most concern is an act of terrorism that is very hard to predict.
MATTINGLY: Hard to predict and unsettling in a local culture accustomed to dealing only with changes of tides and seasons. Shrimper Marcus McCall worries enough about terrorism to send his family away and sail his boat out of state waters.
MARCUS MCCALL, SHRIMP BOAT CAPTAIN: I don't care how much security they say they have. They were supposed to have security on the World Trade Center.
MATTINGLY: The Army has set up anti-aircraft weapons in full view, just ahead of the 20,000-strong security force due to arrive. Already the 76 officers of the town of Brunswick patrol on the lookout for FBI suspects. And the public is encouraged to report anyone suspicious. Look what happened to us after taking pictures of the local airport.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Does everything check out?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you. Yes, sir.
MATTINGLY: Acting on a call, three officers converged to collect our IDs and Social Security numbers.
(on camera): And security will only get tighter. By the time G- 8 delegates arrive, airports will close, marinas will shut down and beaches that should be filled with tourists could be replaced by highways snarled by checkpoints.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We just don't feel like there's going to be a lot of tourism.
MATTINGLY (voice-over): So some shops will be closing. And some residents say they'll take their own vacations. But most, like Benji Bluestein (ph) plan to hunker down, worried not so much about terrorism as about protest-driven vandalism and gridlock, all in a place developed by people trying to get away from it all and wondering what to do now that it's all coming to them.
David Mattingly, CNN, Sea Island, Georgia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GRIFFIN: And up next, the breaking of a cease-fire. CNN is there as insurgents open fire on U.S. forces in Kufa, Iraq.
NGUYEN: Held in reserve for decades. The famous Fighting 69th is back in action, packing up and shipping out.
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GRIFFIN: In Iraq, the sprint to June 30 and sovereignty has hit more hurdles as the violence and bloodshed continues. A car bomb went off near the coalition Green Zone in Baghdad today. The powerful explosion killed four Iraqis and wounded 25 more. Meanwhile, it is still not clear who will be Iraq's interim president. U.S. officials in Iraq's Governing Council are said to be divided over the issue. A coalition spokesman would say that U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi will announce the new government when he's "ready."
NGUYEN: And there is supposed to be a cease-fire in the Iraqi city of Kufa, but it hasn't been holding very well. And last night it exploded in a gun battle that left two American soldiers dead. Our Guy Roz filed this exclusive report from Kufa where he is embedded 237th Armored Battalion. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GUY ROZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This was supposed to be day three of a truce. But as a reconnaissance patrol, Task Force 237, approached the center of town, insurgents opened fire from a cemetery near the Kufa mosque.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Shooting at 2:00.
ROZ: For well over an hour, 100 U.S. troops and tanks and armored carriers fought a pitched battle with fighters loyal to the Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Mehdi militia fighters remain holed up behind this wall of a Kufa cemetery. U.S. military officials believe at least 30 suspected insurgents were killed in this fight. Rocket- propelled grenades and small arms fire for the insurgents killed two U.S. soldiers as well. The first time u.s. troops have fallen in battle here in six weeks of fighting.
The truce, declared by Sadr's militia, is viewed with considerable skepticism among U.S. forces.
PFC NOAH FREEDMAN, TASK FORCE 237: I didn't expect the other side would be respecting the cease-fire. I figured the other side, they were going to keep firing. I mean, the first day of the cease- fire we took mortar fire here on camp.
ROZ: Military commanders have temporarily suspended offensive operations. This is regarded as a defensive engagement.
LT. COL. PAT WHITE, TASK FORCE 237: We will continue to develop the situation in Kufa to get a feel for what's going on with the Mehdi Army. And at some point Sadr is going to have to come out and tell the world and at least Najaf, OK, this is the situation that I'm in, tell my guys to disarm. And he's either going to have to disown the people in Kufa and say, hey, those aren't my guys over there, my guys are all over here with me, or he's going to have to own up to it that those are Mehdi Army that are still inside that mosque with weapons, as you saw tonight.
ROZ: Six weeks since intense fighting broke out here, hundreds of insurgents have been killed. U.S. forces are hoping the latest fighting may finally force Muqtada al-Sadr's hand.
Guy Roz, CNN, Kufa, Iraq.
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NGUYEN: Well, it is off to war for one of New York's most famous National Guard Reserve units. The Fighting 69th is headed to Iraq. It's the first time the unit has gone into battle in decades.
CNN's Jason Carroll has their war story.
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JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They marched in unison, stood before their family members. It's a proud day for the 69th Infantry, and a sad one, too.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, daddy doesn't come home for a long time..
CARROLL: Christopher Daniels (ph) and Alejandro Cintano (ph) are leaving their families.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Listen to your teachers and listen to your mother.
CARROLL: They'll be gone for more than a year, fighting in a National Guard Reserve units that been doing battle for more than 100 years.
LT. COL. JEFFREY BLACK, FIGHTING 69TH: I'd say we're probably New York's most famous regiment.
CARROLL: Tour their armory...
BLACK: That's an original letter by Abraham Lincoln.
CARROLL: ... and get a lesson in why they're called the Fighting 69th. Formed in 1851, most Irish immigrants. So tough Robert E. Lee added fighting to their name after battling them in Fredericksburg. Their faces have changed, so has their focus.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is your boots, your chemical suit.
CARROLL: For the first time since World War II, they're headed back into battle. They're packed...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You've got your blankets, your sleeping pad.
CARROLL: ... trained...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
CARROLL: ... but few are ready to say good-bye.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You going to miss daddy?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can I have a kiss?
CARROLL (on camera): So you have one that's 5, another child that's 3. How do you explain to them in terms that they can understand what's happening, what's going on?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I just try to tell her that daddy's not coming home for a long time. Where is daddy going, Kimmy?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Iraq. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They know that there's a war going on out there, and there are soldiers dying and stuff like that. And I think that's the part that scares them the most.
CARROLL (voice-over): These are the good-byes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I love you. Don't forget that.
CARROLL: One last hug as the 69th marches on.
Jason Carroll, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Ahead on LIVE FROM... this Memorial Day, fighting for the veterans' vote, who has the advantage, Bush or Kerry?
GRIFFIN: And everybody into the pool, even the babies. Teaching the youngest children to love the water.
NGUYEN: Plus, the boy wizard returns. Watch out, "Shrek" you're about to get some competition.
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NGUYEN: Plan on relaxing by the pool this Memorial Day? Well, don't forget to keep a close eye on those kids. A new campaign is urging parents to supervise young children to prevent drownings. Some families are also finding out a simple program can save a child's life.
CNN's John Zarrella has more.
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JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Not long ago, 4 1/2-year-old Avi Stein (ph) climbed the backyard pool fence for a ball and fell in the water. His mother had left him alone for just a minute.
CYNTHIA STEIN, MOTHER: Luckily he learned the skills here and when I found him, he was at the pool's edge already.
ZARRELLA: Avi had taken a children's swim program called Aqua Child. It teaches kids to get on their backs, float, catch their breath and swim to the edge when they fall into the water. With summer upon us, the National Safe Kids Campaign is urging parents to actively supervise their young children. A Safe Kids study analyzed 490 cases of children who drowned during a two-year period. Shockingly, nine of 10 were being supervised at the time. Safe Kids found parents are not always focused.
ANGELA MICKALIOE, SAFE KIDS CAMPAIGN: They talked about some alarmingly distracting behaviors including talking on the cell phone, talking to friends, eating, reading. And some even admitted to closing their eyes and relaxing while they were watching the kids around the pool or the lake.
ZARRELLA: Safe Kids recommends layers of protection, fencing around the pool, active supervision, wearing personal flotation devices, and swimming lessons.
:UNIDENTIFIED CHILD I don't want to do it again.
ZARRELLA: Savannah Rudy (ph) was not a happy camper at her first Aqua Child swim lesson. But halfway through the six-week program, she's coming along swimmingly. Instructor Scott Launer says the course is tough love. Kids cry a lot. But he says the parents understand it's worth it.
SCOTT LAUNER, AQUA CHILD INSTRUCTOR: I said to her, man, I'm really sorry that he hasn't stopped crying. And she said, well, I'd rather him cry here six weeks than me cry the rest of my life if he drowns.
ZARRELLA: Safe Kids cautions a parent's responsibility doesn't change just because a child had swim lessons. Active supervision is still the best protection.
John Zarrella, CNN, Miami.
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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GRIFFIN: The chairman of the joint chiefs of staff speaking out about wars past and present this Memorial Day. General Richard Myers compares the stakes during World War II to the war against terrorism. He also talked about the Rolling Thunder rally of Vietnam-era veterans.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEN. RICHARD MYERS, CHMN., JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: It's indescribable as you turn the corner onto Memorial Bridge and there are hundreds, thousands of people lining the streets, and they're all cheering, they're all waving American flags. And there's a chill that goes up your spine that is so, so important. And I think for the Vietnam vets, many of whom returned to this country having to change uniforms before they went to an international airport or before they went home, so they wouldn't be jeered at, I think it's a very appropriate event and very poignant for many, many people, to include myself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GRIFFIN: And as we mentioned earlier, General Myers, donned in leather, was among those who took part in the Rolling Thunder ride today.
NGUYEN: Her colleagues call her "killer chick". That's right. It's a sign of respect for the fighter pilot who survived a missile attack over Baghdad. CNN's Gary Tuchman has her story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): During the peak of the air war over Iraq, A-10 pilot Kim Campbell's life hung in the balance on a cloudy night over Baghdad.
(on camera): Do you think you're a hero?
CAPT. KIM CAMPBELL, U.S. AIR FORCE: No, not at all. I was doing my job that day and I'm very lucky to be back home.
TUCHMAN: Luck had something to do with it. But Air Force colleagues say heroism did, too. Captain Campbell, also known as "killer chick" or K.C., was hit by Iraqi fire over Baghdad. Her attack jet lost its hydraulic power. CNN was embedded with her squadron at the base on the Iraqi border where she safely landed.
UNIDENTIFIED CNN CORRESPONDENT: Did you think you were going to make it back or that you would have to eject from the plane?
CAMPBELL: There was a quick second where I knew it was a possibility. But in my mind, I knew I had no desire to eject over Baghdad.
Experts believe that a surface-to-air missile impacted somewhere in this area, and then as it hit it sent shrapnel from the missile into both the inside of the right tail and also the fuselage here.
TUCHMAN: K.C. is now back at North Carolina's Pope Air Force Base with her new A-10. Home since July, she says she remains a strong supporter of the U.S. role in Iraq.
CAMPBELL: No one said this was going to be easy. And we know it's going to be tough. And we'll be there as long as the mission calls for it.
TUCHMAN: The 28-year-old has received awards and accolades. She makes two to three speeches a month while continuing her training.
CAMPBELL: Our squadron will most likely be deploying later on this year. And I'm more than happy to go back.
TUCHMAN (on camera): Would your family like to see you not fly combat missions anymore?
CAMPBELL: They know that I love what I do. And they know that I'm willing to take risks, and this is something that I'd be willing to give my life for because I believe in it . And my parents aren't going to tell me that I can't do it, certainly not at age 28 anyway.
TUCHMAN (voice-over): Gary Tuchman, CNN, Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina.
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