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CNN Live Today

Memorial Day in Iraq; War on Terror Review; Good Grief Camp; Wedding Gift Tips

Aired May 30, 2005 - 10:00   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.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: And we'll go ahead and get started and take a look at what's happening "Now in the News." Just so you know, the control room, I can't hear a thing.
It is the unofficial start to summer. And we are going to go ahead and start.

Later this hour, President Bush arrives at Arlington National Cemetery to honor the nation's war dead on this Memorial Day. At the top of the hour, Mr. Bush will take part in the traditional wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Also attending today's honors, is a 103-year-old veteran of World War I.

This is one of two U.S. citizens charged with conspiring to support al Qaeda. Rafiq Sabir, also known as "The Doctor," is a Boca Raton, Florida, physician. The second man is a self-described martial arts expert in New York. Federal investigators say both conspired to support terrorists.

For the first time in 30 years, Lebanon has held its first parliamentary elections, largely free of Syrian control, and candidates loyal to the assassinated politician Rafik Hariri captured all 19 seats in the legislative body. In February, outraged Lebanese forced the ouster of Syrian troops, blaming Damascus for the bombing death of the former prime minister.

French voters have slapped down a proposed European Union constitution and dealt a blow to the Chirac government, which had lobbied hard for ratification. The supporters said the measure would unify Europe and establish the euro as the official currency. Opponents argued it would diminish France's national identity.

Good morning on this Memorial Day. I'm Daryn Kagan.

On this day, Americans remember the war dead. While in Iraq, Operation Lightning gets underway. Iraqi forces have set up new checkpoints throughout Baghdad. That crackdown against insurgents in the capital will include raids, as well as cordons. The U.S. military now says this morning's arrest of an Iraqi politician and his sons was a mistake. U.S. and Iraqi forces raided the family's home in Northwest Baghdad. Iraqi police sources earlier said there was evidence of phone conversations between the politicians and al Qaeda cells in Iraq.

South of Baghdad, insurgents struck this morning. Twin suicide bombings killed at least 27 people in Hilla. More than 100 others were wounded. The bombs exploded outside two government buildings. Many of the dead were police officers.

U.S. troops in Iraq will take time out today to salute comrades who have fallen in the line of duty. Our Senior Baghdad Correspondent Jane Arraf, joins us now from Camp Victory.

Jane, hello.

JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn.

We've just had a memorial service here, a memorial to the more than 700 soldiers, Marines and other U.S. service people killed in just the past year. The background of that, the conflict continuing.

Right now, behind me, Daryn, is sort of activity. We have a codo (ph) here, a congressional delegation. Senator Joe Biden and others who are here visiting what used to be Saddam's palace, now the main military headquarters here in Baghdad for the coalition.

Now, we have been - hi, welcome to Baghdad. Very nice to see you.

SEN. JOE BIDEN, (D) FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE: Hi. It's good to be back. Good to be back in Baghdad.

ARRAF: And . . .

BIDEN: This is Congressman Weldon.

ARRAF: Very nice to see you, Congressman.

Since we have you on air and we're live, if we can just pick up a microphone.

BIDEN: Oh, you're live.

ARRAF: You know, we are going to improvise a little bit since this is Baghdad.

BIDEN: Oh, there you go. You've got this one.

ARRAF: Tell me - thank you. Tell me your impressions on Memorial Day here in Iraq.

BIDEN: Well, our impressions are that the American forces are doing a hell of a job here and particularly in training up Iraqi forces. And we came, all of us - actually I'm along with the congressman who headed up a delegation. I just hopped a ride in. This is my fifth time in and there's a sense of optimism. We got a chance to meet with most of the Iraqi ministers and as well as the elected prime minister and the - and speaker of the parliament. And there's a lot of work to do but we're here to pay respects to our troops today on Memorial Day.

ARRAF: Since it is your fifth time in, did you notice anything different? There's apparently a huge operation going on in Baghdad, Operation Lightning, 40,000 troops. BIDEN: Well, since we were mostly by helo between here and the green zone, we observed it from the air but it did not affect our movement.

ARRAF: Congressman, what was your impression from the (INAUDIBLE) that you met?

REP. DAVE WELDON, (R) FLORIDA (ph): We were here yesterday with the troops up at Falluja and other locations and we were here on Memorial Day to show the sympathy and the praise we have for our patriots and we let the Iraqi leaders today know, the prime minister, the speaker, those involved with writing the constitution, that we're also here to pay tribute to the patriots from Iraq. They've paid the ultimate price. And moving them this far in their democracy. We've let them know as Republicans and Democrats and across America, the House and Senate, that we stand together with the people of Iraq in this very difficult battle.

In terms of our military meetings, we talked about some of the tough issues, like IEDs, the additional use of UAVs. We went to up armoring facilities to make sure that we're giving the military the proper tools and equipment they need. With the political leadership, we talked about staying the course and being inclusive for all the various groups in this country in this very difficult task of bringing the country together. And we talked about, when they eventually write the constitution and assemble the first parliament, we're prepared, as Democrats and Republicans, to begin a former inter-parliamentary process with the new parliament of Iraq and the Congress and the House and the Senate of the United States.

ARRAF: We're talking over 1,600 Americans have lost their lives in this war. How much is too much?

WELDON: Well, one is too much. I was on my last trip here, up in the Tikrit, Kirkuk area with General O'Near (ph). Now he told a story of a young 24-year-old West Point grad and what a great American he was. It turned out it was my constituent, and I happened to be carrying a three-page letter from his parents. One loss is too many lives to be lost. But in that letter from that young man's parents, the Bernsteins (ph), they told of a pride in their son because he died doing what he loved and he died knowing full well that he was giving the Iraqi children a chance to have what he had in America growing up. So I'm convinced that the policy was the right policy to come over, to help this country liberate itself from the terrible oppressor, and to now stay with the course until we can allow them to take over their country, hopefully sooner rather than later, and to make sure they have the proper training for their security forces, working with our military so that the American folks that are here can come back to their families.

ARRAF: Thank you so much, gentlemen. Thank you.

Daryn, that was the latest congressional delegation here to Baghdad. Now as you've seen, this is still the kind of city where they come by helicopter, heavily guarded into this town. It's not the kind of place that they can come and walk around. A major operation going out there on these streets. But another commemoration of Memorial Day here in Baghdad.

Daryn.

KAGAN: Jane, it doesn't get much more current than that. I think you took the congressional delegation by surprise there. Good work. Thank you.

U.S. military officials believe that Iraq's most wanted man is indeed wounded. Recent postings on a militant Web site said Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was wounded in battle. Joint Chiefs Chairman, General Richard Myers, told CNN's "American Morning" officials still aren't sure just how badly he's hurt.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEN. RICHARD MYERS, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN: What we believe is that the reports posted on their own Web site saying that he's been wounded, we believe those reports are true. We do not know the severity, though, of those wounds.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Some Web sites have reported Zarqawi may have left Iraq for treatment.

The war on terrorism is never far from over but the campaign is evolving. Our Bob Franken reports on review that's now underway.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): As President Bush devotes part of his Memorial Day to commemorating the nation's war dead, his advisers are engaged in a significant review of today's war - the global war on terrorism.

GEN. RICHARD MYERS, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN: And what they're trying to do, and we're trying to do, is look at our strategy and ensure that we use the right words, the right vocabulary, and focus all instruments of national power, just a refinement of what our current strategy is.

FRANKEN: That strategy, since the September 11th attacks, has included an intense emphasis on breaking the back of al Qaeda. But even though efforts to kill or capture Osama bin Laden have been unsuccessful, several other leaders have been removed. Still, others have moved in. As the president's chief terrorism adviser told "The Washington Post," "nature abhors a vacuum." So officials in and out of the administration believe the time has come to expand the focus. And the co-chairman of the 9/11 commission agrees.

LEE HAMILTON, CO-CHAIR, 9/11 COMMISSION: The threat remains still very formidable. But it's much more diffuse than it was in a single little al Qaeda cell.

FRANKEN: Critics charge this review is long overdue. SEN. CHRISTOPHER DODD, (D) CONNECTICUT: This is a debate they should have been having months ago, not just more recently, about whether or not there's a broader problem out there than just al Qaeda.

FRANKEN: In fact, a debate has been going on for some time, hampered by a delay in filling key positions in the anti-terrorism hierarchy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKEN: And in about an hour, President Bush will be laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, commemorate those who have fought and died in America's wars and who continue to.

Daryn.

KAGAN: Bob, thank you.

And, of course, we'll be showing that ceremony live as we do each year on Memorial Day here on CNN.

Thank you.

Among those joining President Bush at this morning's ceremony, some children whose military paints have died in service. The kids have just finished taking part in a type of group therapy experience. Our Kathleen Koch has more on what they call "Good Grief Camp."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNKNOWN FEMALE: He'd do push-ups and we'd all get on his back and he'd pick us up. He'd go up and down, up and down.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): Memories of a father no longer alive. Memories military children feel safe to share at "Good Grief Camp."

UNKNOWN MALE: What do you miss now because -- he passed away?

UNKNOWN FEMALE: I never got to know him.

KOCH: The Virginia program pairs children who've lost a loved one with a military mentor - some who've seen their own parents die in military tragedies.

MICKI KUZEWSKI, MENTOR: So I had to step up and kind of take over and really be there for my mom. And whatever you guys do, don't ever lose your youth. Like just enjoy it while you can.

KOCH: Airman First Class Micki Kuzewski's father, Michael, died in 1996 in a helicopter collision at Camp Lejeune.

KUZEWSKI: I wanted to touch a child's life and really help them out and guide them through the process of grieving.

PATRICIA LATHAM, GOOD GRIEF CAMPER: He was gonna bomb this building. And when he did, a piece of metal got right in here and it got into his brain so they couldn't take it out.

KOCH: Micki was paired with Patricia Latham, whose father, William, died two years ago after being wounded in Iraq. And with Tori Hall, whose father, Kelly (ph), died in 1988 in a plane crash in Germany.

TORI HALL, GRIEF CAMPER: I remember the funeral. And the guys, that carried him in.

It's good to cry. It's not - I'm not ashamed of it because if you keep it all bundled up, then eventually it's gonna come out some way that you don't want.

KOCH: But the camp is about more than grieving. Children learn coping skills. They make crafts to celebrate their loved one's life. They even learn to build relationships with the parent some were too young to know.

BONNIE CARROLL, GOOD GRIEF CAMP FOUNDER: Even if they were infants at the time that their dad was killed, we teach them how to create those memories. How to honor that person and make them a part of their lives.

KOCH: The children, too, are honored by top military brass.

UNKNOWN MALE: You lose your daddy? Where? HALL: In Germany.

KOCH: And they learn how to support one another.

LATHAM: It's different here because I can talk about it and I'm not the only one. There's other people that have - know how it feels.

HALL: It's hard. It's hard but you'll make it through. I mean, you will go on. You will start over your life.

KOCH: Kathleen Koch, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And as we were saying, some of those kids are going to be with President Bush today for today's ceremony. As a programming reminder for you, we're going to have live coverage of President Bush's wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns. That is at the top of the hour.

Now an interesting interview coming up. A young man who lost his father in Vietnam has grown up for his own search for the story of the father he never knew. That becomes the subject of a Memorial Day documentary. We'll go behind the scenes with the maker of the documentary known as the "Unknown Soldier."

Also ahead . . .

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The most common surname in the United States. 21 Smiths have died in "Operation Iraqi Freedom."

KAGAN: One name, many sacrifices. The stories behind the faces and the names of the fallen.

DE LA CRUZ: CNN.com remembers the men and women who have sacrificed their lives fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since fighting in Iraq began on March 19, 2003, more than 1,800 coalition troops have lost their lives there. This list shows the names and faces of the soldiers, Marines, airmen, sailors and Coast Guardsmen whose families have been notified of their death by each country's government.

On May 1, 2003, President Bush declared an end too major combat. But insurgent attacks continue to claim lives. This interactive breaks down the human cost of the war by country, age, race, and gender. The war on terror also continues. This list honors those killed in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Memorial Day serves as a day to remember the nation's men and women killed or missing in action in all American wars. This gallery takes a historical look at U.S. war casualties from the Revolutionary War in the 1700s to the Civil War, the deadliest war in U.S. history, to the wars the U.S. is fighting today. You can log on to CNN.com/casualties.

From the dot-com news desk, I'm Veronica De La Cruz.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's take a look at some stories making news coast to coast.

Danica Patrick didn't actually win yesterday's Indy 500, but she still made history. She became the first woman ever to lead the race and she finished in fourth place. Last hour on CNN, she downplayed her groundbreaking role.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DANICA PATRICK, RACE CAR DRIVER: I don't think of it. I don't - I'm not consciously trying to do anything for women but I'm just being myself and I think that it's really neat that just being myself is enough to break ground and to be a role model and all kinds of other things.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Well, whatever she's doing is working. By the way, trivia question. Englishman Dan Wheldon actually passed Danica Patrick with six laps to go and he took the checkered flag. But that's not who everyone is talking about this morning.

How about the one lucky lottery player. This holiday weekend mark as whole new life of leisure. A Powerball player in Boise, Idaho, picked the right numbers to claim a $220 million jackpot. That would be the tenth largest prize in U.S. history. Because of the holiday, the winner will have to wait until tomorrow to present the winning ticket.

To Houston, Texas, there is a problem - actually a lot of problems - all tied to the heavy thunderstorms that rolled across the region yesterday. Texans had to deal with power outages, street flooding, wind damage and even an apartment fire that was sparked by lightning. Two counties received as much as seven inches of rain.

Not the only place with a soggy Memorial Day weekend. We're experiencing it right here in Atlanta, Georgia, as well.

JACQUI JERAS, METEOROLOGIST: I know. Yes. Misery loves company. Actually, a lot of the country today, unfortunately, is going to be dodging the raindrops on the barbe (ph).

(WEATHER REPORT)

JERAS: Daryn.

KAGAN: Jacqui, we look forward to that. Thank you.

With the unofficial start of summer, now begin a season of weddings. Gerri Willis has some tips to get you through a parade of nuptials.

Hey, Ger.

GERRI WILLIS, PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hi, Daryn. Good to see you.

Along with the "I do"s comes the challenge of finding the perfect wedding gift. We're going to help you when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: So the markets are closed today on Memorial Day, but it also, today, is also the unofficial open of summer. Also the wedding season as well. One in every 62 Americans will walk down the aisle this year - is that right, one in 62 Americans? That means nearly - that's what we're hearing. That's what I'm being told. It must be true. Nearly 300 million of us will be shopping for wedding gifts. Joining us with her top five tips on that topic, personal finance editor Gerri Willis.

WILLIS: Hey, Daryn, some of those people are doing it for not the first time. Maybe the second.

KAGAN: Well, that's true. But one in every 62 Americans will walk down the aisle this year.

WILLIS: It's one of our favorite things to do this spring.

KAGAN: I guess so. Yes, yes, yes. OK. So that means a lot of gifts that have to be purchased.

WILLIS: That's right. And you have to spend the right amount of money. Listen to this. If you think one in 62 is a big number . . . KAGAN: It is.

WILLIS: People are spending $26,000 on their wedding. That's according to a survey that we found on the web. And that sounds like an astonishing amount of money, which begs the question, how much do you spend on a gift?

KAGAN: Right.

WILLIS: Well, we've got some rules of the road. Starting out, you got to spend at least $50. Below that, you look like a cheap skate. You don't want to go there. Check out this list. $50 to $75 if it's a co-worker, distant family friend. We've all been there. If it's a relative, though, or somebody you're pretty close to, about $75 to $100. And you're into $150 if it's a close relative or a close friend. So you've got to spend the right amounts.

KAGAN: What if you've already dropped like $1,000 as the bridesmaid in the ugly dress? Different topic? I'm a retired . . . WILLIS: Words of wisdom.

KAGAN: I'm a retired bridesmaid. It was the fifth peach dress. I said, that's it.

OK. So it can get expensive. Why don't you pitch in for a group gift?

WILLIS: Well, you know, if you're in your 20s say, Daryn, or maybe you're retired and you have a limited amount of money that you can spend on the gift, why not do it as a group and then you can afford to buy that $600 vacuum cleaner that the couple wants and not spend every single cent that you own.

KAGAN: Your next tip is one thing I just don't like doing - stick to the registry. It's so boring!

WILLIS: Well, a lot of people feel that way. But think of it this way, some 85 percent of people surveyed recently said that they wanted people to stick to the registry because it's really a list of things they want. The problem is that people think of the registry, they think of buying the China, you know, the place settings. You don't have to do that. More and more people are signing up for some fun kitchen gadgets and gizmos. And let's face it, even if you're buying that crystal bowl, you can still send them, say, a DVD of their favorite movie and some popcorn to put into that crystal bowl. It's all in how you present it to make it interesting.

KAGAN: OK. I get you on the creativity on that.

And, besides, it's not just kitchen stuff that people are registering for these days.

WILLIS: That's right. It's not just the classic place setting, as we were saying before. You know, a lot of kitchen stuff out there. You know, it's so popular, cooking. We have all the cooking shows on television and people are buying all these wonderful things to buy for their kitchen. But you know what, Daryn? I think one thing's bad and I've seen people do this. No re-gifting. This is not a time that you want to take a present that you've gotten and give it to someone else.

KAGAN: The toaster that you didn't want for your wedding, you pass on to the next wedding.

WILLIS: I don't think so.

KAGAN: No. Not to be done.

Hey, do you have to - is there a deadline? Do you have to have the gift at the wedding day?

WILLIS: No. You have a year, in fact, 12 months to actually get it together and get the gift there. But one down side here, if you are buying from the registry, the best gifts are gone almost immediately and so you'll miss out.

KAGAN: Yes, that's true. WILLIS: Even though they're held online for 12 months or so. So get busy, spend the right amount of money and pick something terrific.

KAGAN: Yes, ma'am.

How many weddings are you invited to this summer?

WILLIS: I've got one this weekend.

KAGAN: Oh. Do you have the gift?

WILLIS: Yes, I do.

KAGAN: OK.

WILLIS: And did I use the registry? Yes, I did.

KAGAN: Oh, good girl! Good girl. Do as you say and as you do.

Thank you, Gerri.

WILLIS: You're welcome.

KAGAN: A somber ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery this morning. The president is scheduled to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. We'll bring that to you live.

And it's the most common surname in America. Also the most common on the casualty list from the war in Iraq. The Smiths. That story just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired May 30, 2005 - 10:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: And we'll go ahead and get started and take a look at what's happening "Now in the News." Just so you know, the control room, I can't hear a thing.
It is the unofficial start to summer. And we are going to go ahead and start.

Later this hour, President Bush arrives at Arlington National Cemetery to honor the nation's war dead on this Memorial Day. At the top of the hour, Mr. Bush will take part in the traditional wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Also attending today's honors, is a 103-year-old veteran of World War I.

This is one of two U.S. citizens charged with conspiring to support al Qaeda. Rafiq Sabir, also known as "The Doctor," is a Boca Raton, Florida, physician. The second man is a self-described martial arts expert in New York. Federal investigators say both conspired to support terrorists.

For the first time in 30 years, Lebanon has held its first parliamentary elections, largely free of Syrian control, and candidates loyal to the assassinated politician Rafik Hariri captured all 19 seats in the legislative body. In February, outraged Lebanese forced the ouster of Syrian troops, blaming Damascus for the bombing death of the former prime minister.

French voters have slapped down a proposed European Union constitution and dealt a blow to the Chirac government, which had lobbied hard for ratification. The supporters said the measure would unify Europe and establish the euro as the official currency. Opponents argued it would diminish France's national identity.

Good morning on this Memorial Day. I'm Daryn Kagan.

On this day, Americans remember the war dead. While in Iraq, Operation Lightning gets underway. Iraqi forces have set up new checkpoints throughout Baghdad. That crackdown against insurgents in the capital will include raids, as well as cordons. The U.S. military now says this morning's arrest of an Iraqi politician and his sons was a mistake. U.S. and Iraqi forces raided the family's home in Northwest Baghdad. Iraqi police sources earlier said there was evidence of phone conversations between the politicians and al Qaeda cells in Iraq.

South of Baghdad, insurgents struck this morning. Twin suicide bombings killed at least 27 people in Hilla. More than 100 others were wounded. The bombs exploded outside two government buildings. Many of the dead were police officers.

U.S. troops in Iraq will take time out today to salute comrades who have fallen in the line of duty. Our Senior Baghdad Correspondent Jane Arraf, joins us now from Camp Victory.

Jane, hello.

JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn.

We've just had a memorial service here, a memorial to the more than 700 soldiers, Marines and other U.S. service people killed in just the past year. The background of that, the conflict continuing.

Right now, behind me, Daryn, is sort of activity. We have a codo (ph) here, a congressional delegation. Senator Joe Biden and others who are here visiting what used to be Saddam's palace, now the main military headquarters here in Baghdad for the coalition.

Now, we have been - hi, welcome to Baghdad. Very nice to see you.

SEN. JOE BIDEN, (D) FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE: Hi. It's good to be back. Good to be back in Baghdad.

ARRAF: And . . .

BIDEN: This is Congressman Weldon.

ARRAF: Very nice to see you, Congressman.

Since we have you on air and we're live, if we can just pick up a microphone.

BIDEN: Oh, you're live.

ARRAF: You know, we are going to improvise a little bit since this is Baghdad.

BIDEN: Oh, there you go. You've got this one.

ARRAF: Tell me - thank you. Tell me your impressions on Memorial Day here in Iraq.

BIDEN: Well, our impressions are that the American forces are doing a hell of a job here and particularly in training up Iraqi forces. And we came, all of us - actually I'm along with the congressman who headed up a delegation. I just hopped a ride in. This is my fifth time in and there's a sense of optimism. We got a chance to meet with most of the Iraqi ministers and as well as the elected prime minister and the - and speaker of the parliament. And there's a lot of work to do but we're here to pay respects to our troops today on Memorial Day.

ARRAF: Since it is your fifth time in, did you notice anything different? There's apparently a huge operation going on in Baghdad, Operation Lightning, 40,000 troops. BIDEN: Well, since we were mostly by helo between here and the green zone, we observed it from the air but it did not affect our movement.

ARRAF: Congressman, what was your impression from the (INAUDIBLE) that you met?

REP. DAVE WELDON, (R) FLORIDA (ph): We were here yesterday with the troops up at Falluja and other locations and we were here on Memorial Day to show the sympathy and the praise we have for our patriots and we let the Iraqi leaders today know, the prime minister, the speaker, those involved with writing the constitution, that we're also here to pay tribute to the patriots from Iraq. They've paid the ultimate price. And moving them this far in their democracy. We've let them know as Republicans and Democrats and across America, the House and Senate, that we stand together with the people of Iraq in this very difficult battle.

In terms of our military meetings, we talked about some of the tough issues, like IEDs, the additional use of UAVs. We went to up armoring facilities to make sure that we're giving the military the proper tools and equipment they need. With the political leadership, we talked about staying the course and being inclusive for all the various groups in this country in this very difficult task of bringing the country together. And we talked about, when they eventually write the constitution and assemble the first parliament, we're prepared, as Democrats and Republicans, to begin a former inter-parliamentary process with the new parliament of Iraq and the Congress and the House and the Senate of the United States.

ARRAF: We're talking over 1,600 Americans have lost their lives in this war. How much is too much?

WELDON: Well, one is too much. I was on my last trip here, up in the Tikrit, Kirkuk area with General O'Near (ph). Now he told a story of a young 24-year-old West Point grad and what a great American he was. It turned out it was my constituent, and I happened to be carrying a three-page letter from his parents. One loss is too many lives to be lost. But in that letter from that young man's parents, the Bernsteins (ph), they told of a pride in their son because he died doing what he loved and he died knowing full well that he was giving the Iraqi children a chance to have what he had in America growing up. So I'm convinced that the policy was the right policy to come over, to help this country liberate itself from the terrible oppressor, and to now stay with the course until we can allow them to take over their country, hopefully sooner rather than later, and to make sure they have the proper training for their security forces, working with our military so that the American folks that are here can come back to their families.

ARRAF: Thank you so much, gentlemen. Thank you.

Daryn, that was the latest congressional delegation here to Baghdad. Now as you've seen, this is still the kind of city where they come by helicopter, heavily guarded into this town. It's not the kind of place that they can come and walk around. A major operation going out there on these streets. But another commemoration of Memorial Day here in Baghdad.

Daryn.

KAGAN: Jane, it doesn't get much more current than that. I think you took the congressional delegation by surprise there. Good work. Thank you.

U.S. military officials believe that Iraq's most wanted man is indeed wounded. Recent postings on a militant Web site said Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was wounded in battle. Joint Chiefs Chairman, General Richard Myers, told CNN's "American Morning" officials still aren't sure just how badly he's hurt.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEN. RICHARD MYERS, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN: What we believe is that the reports posted on their own Web site saying that he's been wounded, we believe those reports are true. We do not know the severity, though, of those wounds.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Some Web sites have reported Zarqawi may have left Iraq for treatment.

The war on terrorism is never far from over but the campaign is evolving. Our Bob Franken reports on review that's now underway.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): As President Bush devotes part of his Memorial Day to commemorating the nation's war dead, his advisers are engaged in a significant review of today's war - the global war on terrorism.

GEN. RICHARD MYERS, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN: And what they're trying to do, and we're trying to do, is look at our strategy and ensure that we use the right words, the right vocabulary, and focus all instruments of national power, just a refinement of what our current strategy is.

FRANKEN: That strategy, since the September 11th attacks, has included an intense emphasis on breaking the back of al Qaeda. But even though efforts to kill or capture Osama bin Laden have been unsuccessful, several other leaders have been removed. Still, others have moved in. As the president's chief terrorism adviser told "The Washington Post," "nature abhors a vacuum." So officials in and out of the administration believe the time has come to expand the focus. And the co-chairman of the 9/11 commission agrees.

LEE HAMILTON, CO-CHAIR, 9/11 COMMISSION: The threat remains still very formidable. But it's much more diffuse than it was in a single little al Qaeda cell.

FRANKEN: Critics charge this review is long overdue. SEN. CHRISTOPHER DODD, (D) CONNECTICUT: This is a debate they should have been having months ago, not just more recently, about whether or not there's a broader problem out there than just al Qaeda.

FRANKEN: In fact, a debate has been going on for some time, hampered by a delay in filling key positions in the anti-terrorism hierarchy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKEN: And in about an hour, President Bush will be laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, commemorate those who have fought and died in America's wars and who continue to.

Daryn.

KAGAN: Bob, thank you.

And, of course, we'll be showing that ceremony live as we do each year on Memorial Day here on CNN.

Thank you.

Among those joining President Bush at this morning's ceremony, some children whose military paints have died in service. The kids have just finished taking part in a type of group therapy experience. Our Kathleen Koch has more on what they call "Good Grief Camp."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNKNOWN FEMALE: He'd do push-ups and we'd all get on his back and he'd pick us up. He'd go up and down, up and down.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): Memories of a father no longer alive. Memories military children feel safe to share at "Good Grief Camp."

UNKNOWN MALE: What do you miss now because -- he passed away?

UNKNOWN FEMALE: I never got to know him.

KOCH: The Virginia program pairs children who've lost a loved one with a military mentor - some who've seen their own parents die in military tragedies.

MICKI KUZEWSKI, MENTOR: So I had to step up and kind of take over and really be there for my mom. And whatever you guys do, don't ever lose your youth. Like just enjoy it while you can.

KOCH: Airman First Class Micki Kuzewski's father, Michael, died in 1996 in a helicopter collision at Camp Lejeune.

KUZEWSKI: I wanted to touch a child's life and really help them out and guide them through the process of grieving.

PATRICIA LATHAM, GOOD GRIEF CAMPER: He was gonna bomb this building. And when he did, a piece of metal got right in here and it got into his brain so they couldn't take it out.

KOCH: Micki was paired with Patricia Latham, whose father, William, died two years ago after being wounded in Iraq. And with Tori Hall, whose father, Kelly (ph), died in 1988 in a plane crash in Germany.

TORI HALL, GRIEF CAMPER: I remember the funeral. And the guys, that carried him in.

It's good to cry. It's not - I'm not ashamed of it because if you keep it all bundled up, then eventually it's gonna come out some way that you don't want.

KOCH: But the camp is about more than grieving. Children learn coping skills. They make crafts to celebrate their loved one's life. They even learn to build relationships with the parent some were too young to know.

BONNIE CARROLL, GOOD GRIEF CAMP FOUNDER: Even if they were infants at the time that their dad was killed, we teach them how to create those memories. How to honor that person and make them a part of their lives.

KOCH: The children, too, are honored by top military brass.

UNKNOWN MALE: You lose your daddy? Where? HALL: In Germany.

KOCH: And they learn how to support one another.

LATHAM: It's different here because I can talk about it and I'm not the only one. There's other people that have - know how it feels.

HALL: It's hard. It's hard but you'll make it through. I mean, you will go on. You will start over your life.

KOCH: Kathleen Koch, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And as we were saying, some of those kids are going to be with President Bush today for today's ceremony. As a programming reminder for you, we're going to have live coverage of President Bush's wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns. That is at the top of the hour.

Now an interesting interview coming up. A young man who lost his father in Vietnam has grown up for his own search for the story of the father he never knew. That becomes the subject of a Memorial Day documentary. We'll go behind the scenes with the maker of the documentary known as the "Unknown Soldier."

Also ahead . . .

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The most common surname in the United States. 21 Smiths have died in "Operation Iraqi Freedom."

KAGAN: One name, many sacrifices. The stories behind the faces and the names of the fallen.

DE LA CRUZ: CNN.com remembers the men and women who have sacrificed their lives fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since fighting in Iraq began on March 19, 2003, more than 1,800 coalition troops have lost their lives there. This list shows the names and faces of the soldiers, Marines, airmen, sailors and Coast Guardsmen whose families have been notified of their death by each country's government.

On May 1, 2003, President Bush declared an end too major combat. But insurgent attacks continue to claim lives. This interactive breaks down the human cost of the war by country, age, race, and gender. The war on terror also continues. This list honors those killed in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Memorial Day serves as a day to remember the nation's men and women killed or missing in action in all American wars. This gallery takes a historical look at U.S. war casualties from the Revolutionary War in the 1700s to the Civil War, the deadliest war in U.S. history, to the wars the U.S. is fighting today. You can log on to CNN.com/casualties.

From the dot-com news desk, I'm Veronica De La Cruz.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's take a look at some stories making news coast to coast.

Danica Patrick didn't actually win yesterday's Indy 500, but she still made history. She became the first woman ever to lead the race and she finished in fourth place. Last hour on CNN, she downplayed her groundbreaking role.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DANICA PATRICK, RACE CAR DRIVER: I don't think of it. I don't - I'm not consciously trying to do anything for women but I'm just being myself and I think that it's really neat that just being myself is enough to break ground and to be a role model and all kinds of other things.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Well, whatever she's doing is working. By the way, trivia question. Englishman Dan Wheldon actually passed Danica Patrick with six laps to go and he took the checkered flag. But that's not who everyone is talking about this morning.

How about the one lucky lottery player. This holiday weekend mark as whole new life of leisure. A Powerball player in Boise, Idaho, picked the right numbers to claim a $220 million jackpot. That would be the tenth largest prize in U.S. history. Because of the holiday, the winner will have to wait until tomorrow to present the winning ticket.

To Houston, Texas, there is a problem - actually a lot of problems - all tied to the heavy thunderstorms that rolled across the region yesterday. Texans had to deal with power outages, street flooding, wind damage and even an apartment fire that was sparked by lightning. Two counties received as much as seven inches of rain.

Not the only place with a soggy Memorial Day weekend. We're experiencing it right here in Atlanta, Georgia, as well.

JACQUI JERAS, METEOROLOGIST: I know. Yes. Misery loves company. Actually, a lot of the country today, unfortunately, is going to be dodging the raindrops on the barbe (ph).

(WEATHER REPORT)

JERAS: Daryn.

KAGAN: Jacqui, we look forward to that. Thank you.

With the unofficial start of summer, now begin a season of weddings. Gerri Willis has some tips to get you through a parade of nuptials.

Hey, Ger.

GERRI WILLIS, PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hi, Daryn. Good to see you.

Along with the "I do"s comes the challenge of finding the perfect wedding gift. We're going to help you when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: So the markets are closed today on Memorial Day, but it also, today, is also the unofficial open of summer. Also the wedding season as well. One in every 62 Americans will walk down the aisle this year - is that right, one in 62 Americans? That means nearly - that's what we're hearing. That's what I'm being told. It must be true. Nearly 300 million of us will be shopping for wedding gifts. Joining us with her top five tips on that topic, personal finance editor Gerri Willis.

WILLIS: Hey, Daryn, some of those people are doing it for not the first time. Maybe the second.

KAGAN: Well, that's true. But one in every 62 Americans will walk down the aisle this year.

WILLIS: It's one of our favorite things to do this spring.

KAGAN: I guess so. Yes, yes, yes. OK. So that means a lot of gifts that have to be purchased.

WILLIS: That's right. And you have to spend the right amount of money. Listen to this. If you think one in 62 is a big number . . . KAGAN: It is.

WILLIS: People are spending $26,000 on their wedding. That's according to a survey that we found on the web. And that sounds like an astonishing amount of money, which begs the question, how much do you spend on a gift?

KAGAN: Right.

WILLIS: Well, we've got some rules of the road. Starting out, you got to spend at least $50. Below that, you look like a cheap skate. You don't want to go there. Check out this list. $50 to $75 if it's a co-worker, distant family friend. We've all been there. If it's a relative, though, or somebody you're pretty close to, about $75 to $100. And you're into $150 if it's a close relative or a close friend. So you've got to spend the right amounts.

KAGAN: What if you've already dropped like $1,000 as the bridesmaid in the ugly dress? Different topic? I'm a retired . . . WILLIS: Words of wisdom.

KAGAN: I'm a retired bridesmaid. It was the fifth peach dress. I said, that's it.

OK. So it can get expensive. Why don't you pitch in for a group gift?

WILLIS: Well, you know, if you're in your 20s say, Daryn, or maybe you're retired and you have a limited amount of money that you can spend on the gift, why not do it as a group and then you can afford to buy that $600 vacuum cleaner that the couple wants and not spend every single cent that you own.

KAGAN: Your next tip is one thing I just don't like doing - stick to the registry. It's so boring!

WILLIS: Well, a lot of people feel that way. But think of it this way, some 85 percent of people surveyed recently said that they wanted people to stick to the registry because it's really a list of things they want. The problem is that people think of the registry, they think of buying the China, you know, the place settings. You don't have to do that. More and more people are signing up for some fun kitchen gadgets and gizmos. And let's face it, even if you're buying that crystal bowl, you can still send them, say, a DVD of their favorite movie and some popcorn to put into that crystal bowl. It's all in how you present it to make it interesting.

KAGAN: OK. I get you on the creativity on that.

And, besides, it's not just kitchen stuff that people are registering for these days.

WILLIS: That's right. It's not just the classic place setting, as we were saying before. You know, a lot of kitchen stuff out there. You know, it's so popular, cooking. We have all the cooking shows on television and people are buying all these wonderful things to buy for their kitchen. But you know what, Daryn? I think one thing's bad and I've seen people do this. No re-gifting. This is not a time that you want to take a present that you've gotten and give it to someone else.

KAGAN: The toaster that you didn't want for your wedding, you pass on to the next wedding.

WILLIS: I don't think so.

KAGAN: No. Not to be done.

Hey, do you have to - is there a deadline? Do you have to have the gift at the wedding day?

WILLIS: No. You have a year, in fact, 12 months to actually get it together and get the gift there. But one down side here, if you are buying from the registry, the best gifts are gone almost immediately and so you'll miss out.

KAGAN: Yes, that's true. WILLIS: Even though they're held online for 12 months or so. So get busy, spend the right amount of money and pick something terrific.

KAGAN: Yes, ma'am.

How many weddings are you invited to this summer?

WILLIS: I've got one this weekend.

KAGAN: Oh. Do you have the gift?

WILLIS: Yes, I do.

KAGAN: OK.

WILLIS: And did I use the registry? Yes, I did.

KAGAN: Oh, good girl! Good girl. Do as you say and as you do.

Thank you, Gerri.

WILLIS: You're welcome.

KAGAN: A somber ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery this morning. The president is scheduled to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. We'll bring that to you live.

And it's the most common surname in America. Also the most common on the casualty list from the war in Iraq. The Smiths. That story just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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