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CNN Live Today
Memorial Day: Day of Remembrance; CBS News Correspondent Critically Injured in Iraq; U.S. Marines Accused of Killing 24 Iraqi Civilians
Aired May 29, 2006 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: The top of the hour here at CNN. You're looking at live pictures from Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns. The president and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to make remarks shortly. But before that, President Bush and the first lady to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
And once again, everyone, you're looking at live pictures from Arlington National Cemetery. President Bush and the first lady just moments from now will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The Tomb of the Unknowns is actually near the center of the cemetery and is one of Arlington's most popular sites, as you see the president of the United States. The tomb contains the remains of American soldiers from world wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
The president of the United States.
An annual event to be sure, but always moving, the president of the United States, in the wreath-laying ceremoceremony. The president laying the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, Arlington National Cemetery.
And in just a couple of minutes, the president and the defense secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, will make remarks on this day. And when that happens, of course, twee w we will bring you those remarks live.
Breaking news now.
We are following a developing story out of Iraq. CBs News is reporting that two of its crew members have been killed. The team's correspondent, Kimberly Dozier, is critically injured.
Let's get the latest now from CNN's Ryan Chilcote in Baghdad.
And Ryan, what can you tell us?
RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tony, it's been an exceptionally violent day in Iraq. At least 43 Iraqis killed, at least 71 wounded. Now we're learning some details about a bombing attack that took place in the Iraqi capital a couple years ago.
It was a makeshift bomb that hit a U.S. military patrol with which CBS News was embedded at the time. CBS News saying that two members -- two crew members from that CBS News team were killed in that attack. That would be camera man Paul Douglas and soundman James Brolan. The CBS News correspondent Kimberly Dozier was also injured in that attack. She is receiving medical attention at this time.
We do not have any information on casualties among the U.S. servicemen that were involved in -- were at that site of that attack at this point. But obviously this is the kind of information that we never really want to report on. Our hearts certainly going out to our colleagues and the families and friends of our colleagues over at CBS today -- Tony.
HARRIS: And, of course, this brings us right back to the serious injuries sustained by ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff and his cameraman, Doug Vogt, not that very long ago -- Ryan.
CHILCOTE: That's right. And this now happening with CBS News, of course. The attack with Bob Woodruff and his cameraman, I believe, Jim Vogt, took place a couple of months back. They were traveling with Iraqi security forces on a joint patrol there when that happened.
Today the attack appears to involve a U.S. military patrol. They were moving through one of Baghdad's central squares, a square that just yesterday had been hit by two different bombing attacks.
We know at this time that the -- that everything is being done possible for Kimberly Dozier, the CBS News correspondent. Doctors really fighting for her life. She's actually, we know, receiving care at the same facility that Bob Woodruff and his cameraman went through a couple of months back when that attack took place affecting, of course, ABC News -- Tony.
HARRIS: Ryan, talk to us if you would about just how -- how dangerous it is to cover this war.
CHILCOTE: Well, it's exceptionally dangerous, and ironically and tragically, Kimberly -- Kimberly Dozier was talking about that herself several times, that it has become -- just one second. There's a helicopter flying overhead.
HARRIS: Sure.
CHILCOTE: She's talked about that herself, how difficult it is to cover this conflict. A lot of times journalists have to rely on the news agencies, on Iraqis who are willing to risk their lives to cover the news here.
Covering this conflict, if you will, sort of on -- in a remote fashion, from back at the bureaus, when you get outside of your bureau there are a lot of dangerous factors that you have to deal with. Of course, you know, roadside bombs, car bombs, makeshift bombs, or what are known as IEDs, are one of the biggest threats. But gunfire is another threat.
Any time you're out unilaterally covering civilian life here in Iraq, or any time, as we've seen today, when you're covering the U.S. military, you are certainly a target here in Iraq. Today just another reminder that that is something that we're all going to have to deal with. And, of course, our hearts really go out to our colleagues at CBS News today -- Tony.
HARRIS: Sure. OK.
And Ryan, let's just take a moment and recap this story for everyone who may just be joining us. A CBS news cameraman, Paul Douglas, and sound tech, James Brolan, killed. And correspondent Kimberly Dozier critically injured. Give us the details of -- as you know them -- of this attack.
CHILCOTE: Sure. They were embedded this morning with a U.S. military patrol. That patrol was moving through one of Baghdad's central squares, a square that was hit twice by bombs yesterday.
It was some kind of makeshift bomb we believe that hit their patrol. All three of them were hit, as you said. Paul Douglas, the cameraman, and James Brolan, the sound technician, were killed almost immediately in that attack.
Right now Kimberly Dozier, the CBS correspondent, is in critical -- critical condition. She is receiving medical attention at one of the U.S. military facilities here in Iraq. It is one that has treated U.S. -- U.S. journalists before. We still don't know at this point, Tony, what kind of casualties were suffered among the U.S. military servicemen that were there and taking part in that patrol -- Tony.
HARRIS: OK. Ryan, as you get more information, don't hesitate. Just give us -- give us a bit of a heads up and we'll come right back to you for those latest bits of information.
CHILCOTE: Sure thing.
HARRIS: We appreciate it.
Ryan Chilcote for us in Baghdad.
One lawmaker says it's a case that could be more damaging than the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal. At issue, whether U.S. Marines gunned down some two dozen innocent Iraqi civilians, then whitewashed the atrocity. The allegations are grave enough to launch swift action. The military is already investigating, and a Senate panel vows to hold hearings.
CNN Senior Pentagon Correspondent Jamie McIntyre is at his post with the latest -- Jamie.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Tony, members of Congress have already been told by senior Pentagon officials, including the commandant of the Marine Corps, to brace for the worse when the results of these investigations are made public in what we're told will probably be a couple of weeks. CNN has talked to sources close to the investigation who say the evidence gathered so far is somewhat incriminating, very incriminating, in fact, and tends to support the allegation that civilians were killed without provocation by a small group of Marines back in November of 2005 in a town called Haditha. This morning, the Joint Chiefs chairman, General Peter Pace, in an interview with CNN indicated that he still thinks it's too early to come to a judgment about what happened there.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEN. PETER PACE, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN: It's going to be a couple more weeks before those investigations are complete, and we should not prejudge the outcome. But we should, in fact, as leaders take on the responsibility to get out and talk to our troops and make sure that they understand that what 99.9 percent of them are doing, which is fighting with honor and courage, is exactly what we expect of them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MCINTYRE: General Pace did confirm that part of the investigation, in fact a separate investigation, is looking at whether there was a cover-up, and if so how high the cover-up went. We do know that the investigation found that the initial account by Marines that these civilian Iraqis were killed by a roadside bomb and then a firefight has not been substantiated. In fact, it appears that the Marines killed the civilians during a house-to-house search for a roadside bomber who -- when a bomb went off killing one of their own Marines earlier that morning.
What is at issue is whether there was any provocation for those attacks or whether they were done, in the words of Congressman John Murtha, in cold blood. And again, it will be several weeks before those investigations are made public. Already, though, we're told to expect criminal charges against a number of Marines, including the possibility of murder charges for some Marines who are now at Camp Pendleton, California, awaiting word of the -- of the investigators findings.
HARRIS: And Jamie, the Senate hearing, will that take place after we get the findings from the military investigations?
MCINTYRE: Yes, Senator John Warner, head of the Senate Armed Services Committee, indicated he wants to do pretty much the same thing he did in the Abu Ghraib scandal, which is call senior members of the Pentagon to give a full explanation, but that, he said, will happen after the military justice process has played out.
HARRIS: OK.
Senior Pentagon Correspondent Jamie McIntyre for us.
Jamie, thank you.
Back to Arlington National Cemetery now, where in just moments you will hear remarks from those two men, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and President George W. Bush.
We'll take a break. More CNN LIVE TODAY right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: The call of duty, the echoes of loss. President Bush honors the nation's war dead at Arlington National Cemetery. He's due to speak, and minutes from now we will carry his remarks live.
Memorial Day honors on the Washington Mall. A nation at war in Iraq pays tribute to Americans killed in Vietnam. This is the view from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall. And at this moment in New York, a tribute by air, land and sea from the flight deck of the Intrepid to the military fly-over in the skies above. Thousands gather for the somber remembrance.
Back to Arlington National Cemetery now and remarks from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace.
PACE: Lastly, when we put our children, our sons and our daughters, in harm's way to defend this nation, they deserve to have the very finest leadership that we're able to provide. It's an honor and a privilege to serve beside this president and this secretary of defense, who truly are providing to our men and women the very finest, strong, solid, steadfast, focused leadership that they so richly deserve.
Thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, the United States Navy Band and the Navy Sea Chanters will now perform "Mansions of the Lord".
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Back to Arlington National Cemetery now and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
DONALD RUMSFELD, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: In every era these citizen soldiers answered those who doubted our country's cause with grit and with gallantry. And because they served and because they sacrificed, America was proved not to be a fading nation, but as Franklin said, an always rising sun.
Our country has again been called to the great task of freedom's defense. And history has again blessed us with determined Americans who draw renewed strength from those we remember today. In their memories and in tribute to what they died for, and what they lived for, let us reknew our resolve.
Let us be proud that America has again answered history's high calling. And let us be grateful for a commander in chief, an historic leader, a selfless leader who found that in the plain bath of duty the strength he owes to fallen heroes, to a determined nation, and to a higher power.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is a privilege to introduce the president of the United States, George W. Bush.
(APPLAUSE)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you, all. Thank you, all.
Laura and I are honored to join you today. Thank you for coming.
Mr. Secretary, thank you for your kind words.
Members of my cabinet, General Pace, members of Congress, members of the United States military, veterans, honored guests, and the loved ones of the fallen, a few moments ago I placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. I was honored to do so on behalf of the American people as a sign of our solemn gratitude and our deep respect.
The names of those buried there are known only to god, yet their souls have entered into the spirit of America. And they will never be forgotten by our nation.
(APPLAUSE)
In this place where valor sleeps, we acknowledge our responsibility as Americans to preserve the memory of the fallen. On this Memorial Day, we look out on quiet hills and rows of white headstones, and we know that we're in the presence of greatness.
(APPLAUSE)
The markers here record the names of more than 296,000 men and women. Each of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines buried here answered the call to serve and stepped forward to protect the nation they loved.
All who are buried here understood their duty. They saw a dark shadow on the horizon and went to meet it. They understood that tyranny must be met with resolve and that liberty is always the achievement of courage.
(APPLAUSE)
Here in the presence of veterans they fought with, and loved ones whose pictures they carried, the fallen give silent witness to the price of our liberty, and our nation honors them this day and every day.
(APPLAUSE)
In this place where valor sleeps, we are reminded why America has always gone to war reluctantly, because we know the cost of war.
We have seen those costs in the war on terror we fight today. These grounds are the final resting place for more than 270 men and women who have given their lives in freedom's cause since the attacks of September the 11th, 2001. With us here are veterans who fought alongside them and who have come today to pay their respects. They're joined by veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam and other conflicts across the globe whose friends and comrades also lie in this sacred ground.
As we pray for their fallen friends, we also remember those who went to war and are still missing, and we are determined to account for them all.
(APPLAUSE)
In this place where valor sleeps, we find strength in knowing that those serving freedom's cause have acted with principles and steadfast faith.
Second Lieutenant Jack Lundberg was killed two weeks after D-Day. At the end of the World War II he wrote his mom and dad a letter to be opened in the event he did not come home. He wrote: "I'm sorry to add to your grief, but we of the United States have something to fight for. Never more fully have I realized that. The United States of America is worth the sacrifice."
That same feeling moves those who are now fighting the war on terror. First Lieutenant Mark Dooley was killed by a terrorist bomb last September in the Iraqi city of Ramadi. Before he left his tour, he gave his parents a last letter, just in case.
He wrote, "Remember that my leaving was in the service of something that we loved and be proud." The best way to pay respect is to value why a sacrifice was made.
(APPLAUSE)
Last week the family of Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Fenty Jr. gathered here at Arlington to pay their last respects to the husband, son and father they loved. Colonel Fenty was killed with nine of his fellow soldiers in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan earlier this month.
Hours before that crash he'd spoken to his wife Kristin about their newborn daughter he was waiting to meet. Some day she will learn about her dad from the men with whom she served -- he served. And one of them said this about her father: "We all wanted to be more like Joe Fenty. We were all in awe of him."
I'm in awe of the men and women who sacrifice for the freedom of the United States of America.
(APPLAUSE)
Our nation is free because of brave Americans like these who volunteer to confront our adversaries abroad so we do not have to face them here at home.
Our nation mourns the loss of our men and women in uniform. We will honor them by completing the mission for which they gave their lives, by defeating the terrorists, by advancing the cause of liberty and by laying the foundation of peace for a generation of young Americans.
(APPLAUSE)
Today we pray that those who lie here have found peace with their creator, and we resolve that their sacrifice will always be remembered by a grateful nation.
May God bless the United States of America.
(APPLAUSE)
ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen please remain standing for the playing of "Taps' and the benediction.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: And we're following a developing story out of Iraq. CBS news is reporting that two of its crew members have been killed. The team's correspondent Kimberly Dozier is seriously injured. She and her colleagues were embedded with a military unit when their convoy hit a roadside bomb. The CBS Web site identifies the dead as cameraman Paul Douglas, on the right of your screen, and sound tech James Brolan, there on the left. There's no word if there are casualties among the U.S. troops who were with them.
This memorial day a sad but proud time for one American family. Three brothers are putting on their Army uniforms and heading to Iraq for a 15-month tour of duty.
More now from Joe Dana with our affiliate KPNX in Phoenix.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOE DANA, KPNX AFFILIATE (voice-over): On Monday, Jackson Rogers will lace up his boots and pack his gear for 15 months in the Iraqi battlefield.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's hard. I mean, I'm not going to lie to you. But mean, I'm not going to lie to you, but I think going on with two of my brothers is going to be a lot easier.
DANA: That's right. Three brothers of this patriotic family of six boys will go to battle together. Jackson and Wesland got the call first. Their older brother Hank was on a track scholarship at ASU but dropped it all and is now at boot camp back east.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When this all came up, he came to first and said, hey, you know, it's not a chance you guys are going over there by yourselves. When he first told me, I was like, dude, you're graduation in two months, and just -- he's like, dude, I don't care about school. I don't care about track. I'm not married. I've got to go protect my little brothers.
DANA: Their last weekend filled with baked goods from their aunt and grandmother. She is still trying to come to grips with their deployment.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I guess if I'm honest, I have to say it's more -- it's three times the worry. I don't know how practical it is. I know that they think they're going to watch each other's back, and that's wonderful.
DANA: Their oldest brother keeps the mood light.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ever since we were little boys, my dad would take us to the barber, and this is how our haircut was, so it's no big deal.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Man, three bothers back in for the fight.
Let's take you to New York City now, where a ceremony is under way, as you can see, a tribute by air, land, and sea from the flight deck of the U.S.S. Intrepid. A military flyover to follow shortly. Thousands gathered there for this somber remembrance. We'll take a break. More CNN LIVE TODAY right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: It is a serious disease that affects as many as a million people in this country: Type I diabetes. While patients face considerable challenges and health risks, they can successfully manage the disease. That includes several famous people.
Here's CNN's Melissa Long.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HALLE BERRY, ACTRESS: We're getting killed out here.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Yes, I know.
MELISSA LONG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Oscar winner Halle Berry is big in the box office this weekend with the latest installment of "X-Men." But did you know this former model and beauty queen is also a Type 1 diabetic? Every day, Berry must check her blood glucose levels. Each day could also include several insulin injections. She has to be extremely careful of what she eats, not for weight control, but to keep her blood glucose levels under control.
ELIOTT YAMIN, "AMERICAN IDOL" CONTESTANT: I've got a thing for you and I can't let it go.
LONG: "American Idol" contestant Eliott Yamin shares a similar daily routine. Yamin discovered he had Type 1 Diabetes when he was 17. Yamin told an "Idol" audience one of his goals is to educate people about the disease.
March madness and those anything but obese or out of shape college basketball players. One player, Adam Morrison, of Gonzaga University, emerged as one of the best in the finals. But Morrison must monitor his blood constantly. Like Berry and Yamin, Morrison has Type 1 Diabetes.
Swimmer Gary Hall already had four Olympic medals when he was diagnosed with Type 1 in 1999. His doctors told him then not to expect to swim competitively. Hall ignored that advice and went on to win another four medals one year after being diagnosed. Some days he needs as many as 12 insulin injections.
Superstar Berry, "Idol" contestant Eliott Yamin, basketball star in the making Morrison and Olympian Hall, each a role model for Type 1 Diabetes.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: To get your "Daily Dose," you'll find the latest medical news at CNN.com/health.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: A Major League milestone. Stay tuned for an historic hit and one crazy catch. You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: On the Brangelina baby watch, so far no pictures of Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt yet, the firstborn of Hollywood superstars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, is swaddled in tight security, protected by Namibian guards at the couple's African hideaway. The family's treated like royalty by basking in world attention right now.
CNN's Robyn Curnow is on her way to Namibia. Before leaving Johannesburg, South Africa, she filed this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBYN CURNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): The latest reports are that celebrity mom, Angelina Jolie, and her newborn daughter are doing just fine in a Namibian clinic. Their reports say that Brad Pitt was there throughout the birth this weekend.
Now a Namibian tourism minister, as well as a Namibian doctor, have both said that the birth was uncomplicated, that it went according to plan and that the baby girl is healthy.
Now her name is Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt. And apparently Shiloh means peaceful one in Hebrew. And she can claim Namibian citizenship, if her parents wish.
Robyn Curnow, CNN, Johannesburg, South Africa.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(BUSINESS HEADLINES)
KAGAN: Well, it is out of here. Oh, maybe I'm just out of here. I'm Tony Harris in for Daryn Kagan. International news is up next. Stay tuned for YOUR WORLD TODAY, and I'll be back with the latest headlines from the U.S. in about 20 minutes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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