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American Morning

America's New War: Four Soldiers Ready For Call

Aired September 21, 2001 - 09:52   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: When the U.S. launches its attack against terrorism, American men and women in the military will be on the front lines.

CNN's Brian Cabell joins us live from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where the 101st Airborne Division is preparing for possible deployment.

Hi, Brian.

BRIAN CABELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Paula.

Let me tell you first of all who we are with. We're with four soldiers who just successfully completed air-assault school, a grueling two-week course that culminated with a 12-mile road march early this morning. Not all the soldiers got to see the speech last night. As you might expect, they got up at 2:30 this morning, some of them.

But let's -- we do have one, Sergeant Jewl (ph) here, who did see the speech last night. What was your impression of President Bush last night?

UNIDENTIFIED SOLDIER: I liked everything that he said. It was -- I thought that...

CABELL: Was he too tough? Was he not tough enough?

UNIDENTIFIED SOLDIER: Well, actually, I thought he was well within his rights of saying everything that he said.

CABELL: Let's go to Lieutenant Oliver (ph) over here.

He basically proclaimed war on anybody who wasn't with the United States on this? is that the right thing to do?

UNIDENTIFIED SOLDIER: I believe that it is. All those who support terrorism should be sought out and brought to justice. And if you're America and you're with us, you are within your rights to go to war and support anybody that you need to.

CABELL: You yourself may be going to war. Is that a concern?

UNIDENTIFIED SOLDIER: No, it's not really a concern, it's part of my job. It's what I'm called to do. And if the call comes down, I will gladly answer it.

CABELL: OK. Let me talk to one of the privates down here, Private Youder (ph).

A couple of weeks ago you weren't expecting to go to war. There is a possibility that folks here at Fort Campbell could be going to war.

UNIDENTIFIED SOLDIER: This is very true. I had -- I was actually not expecting at all, not expecting any deployment. It's hard to believe, but it is my job, and I'm ready for it.

CABELL: Private Shartey (ph), are you concerned?

UNIDENTIFIED SOLDIER: I'm just a little concerned, we'll see what happens, and whatever the president says we're going to do, we're going to do.

CABELL: Thank you very much.

Once again, Paula, these are four soldiers, just graduated, very proud, very tired, but you've heard their feelings. They didn't expect this, but sounds, from what they tell us, they are ready.

ZAHN: It does sound like that, indeed.

Brian, thanks so much.

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