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American Morning
Interview with Veterans of World War II and Vietnam
Aired November 09, 2001 - 11:06 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Gus Streeter is a spry 105 years old and a veteran of the first World War. Today, he's got something he's waited most of his life for, the Purple Heart. The man from Indiana did not get the award after his service in the battlefields of France and Belgium and Germany. There wasn't a paper trail to prove he was wounded. That's because Streeter treated his own wounds rather than leaving his buddies in the trenches. When the people who care for Streeter got wind of his story, they helped persuade the powers that be to give him that Purple Heart, which they did, yesterday. Congratulations!
The nation will pause on Sunday to honor the men and women who have worn this country's uniform. And Veteran's Day, taking on special significance with the ongoing campaign in Afghanistan.
Two vets with us now. Nelson Rummel served in the second World War, and took part in the D-Day invasion of France, he's live in New York.
Sir, good morning to you.
NELSON RUMMEL, WORLD WAR II VETERAN: Good morning, sir.
HEMMER: Nice to see you. And from Indianapolis, Richard Santos, a Vietnam vet, now National Commander of the American Legion. Gentlemen, good to have you this morning.
RUMMEL: Thank you.
RICHARD SANTOS, NATIONAL COMMANDER OF THE AMERICAN LEGION: Thank you.
HEMMER: First, first to Mr. Rummel. At the age of 22, you were part of what is considered America's greatest generation. When you look at the current generation, what comes to mind?
RUMMEL: It comes to mind that the current generation has a very definite challenge ahead of them, and I think that although we may not think too much of some of the current generation, they will honor those challenges and overcome those challenges the same way that the greatest generation did before. Yes?
HEMMER: No, please. Continue. I was just agreeing with you. RUMMEL: Yes. And they will undoubtedly come out of it as well as we did. And I think that we should -- we all owe them a great deal of thanks.
HEMMER: Mr. Santos, we've been told it's a different war. We know that. How do you see it?
SANTOS: Well, it's -- again, it's quite different than Vietnam. Korea or World War II. Everything is standoffish. Most of the men don't see the enemy on the other side of the hill. Everything is through a bomb site or through radio and television. It's a different type of battle, a different type of fight. And I think in this battle here, it -- it's more will and mental preparedness than it is physical, for many of us, especially on the home front.
HEMMER: When you look at current conflict, Mr. Santos, and you think about the challenges ahead, tell us what you believe at this point is the most critical thing for veterans like your yourself to pass on too younger Americans? The president made his claim, he said on Sunday, this Veterans Day, many vets should go out and talk to younger people in America. Have you done that?
SANTOS: Yes. We propose and we are a proponent of the schools and other orders to invite veterans in to listen to their history and to learn from them what has happened in the past, hoping it might prevent incidents in the future.
HEMMER: To Mr. Rummel. I'm curious. Are you treated differently by people who meet you now, over the past two months? Knowing that you are a veteran of the second World War? Knowing you participated in D-Day in western France?
RUMMEL: No. They don't treat us any differently. It's still the same. There's been nothing along those lines, that indicated that they felt any differently towards us than they do towards the members of the armed forces that are serving today.
HEMMER: I guess what I suggesting, sir, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I was wondering if you sense a greater sense of respect in light of the events and what's happening now?
RUMMEL: There is some of that, yes. Definitely.
HEMMER: How do you feel it?
RUMMEL: Well, you feel it by the actions of the -- shall I call them civilians?
HEMMER: Sure.
RUMMEL: Who are not that -- people who are not that (UNINTELLIGIBLE)? And they recognize that you -- we have served and are still serving, in a sense, by taking care of the veterans. And therefore a greater sense of -- of responsibility comes across.
HEMMER: Do they ask you questions? RUMMEL: Not too many.
HEMMER: No?
RUMMEL: No, not too many. I haven't come across that so far, that too many people have not asked too many questions. They do ask some. But not the number that you would expect.
HEMMER: Well I've got a lot of questions. So pardon me.
RUMMEL: I can imagine.
HEMMER: Oh, I got it. Back to Mr. Santos. I have read where many vet have said it is critical at this point, as they look at the long-term conflict here, how we treat the men and women who come home. When you think about that, what comes to mind as a veteran of Vietnam?
SANTOS: We should always prepare ourselves to treat that returning veteran, he or she, with respect, and remember their commitment they've made on our behalf. And in their absence, while they're overseas, we should do the utmost to make sure their families are taken care of, in their absence. So they always know there's a friend in their local community to take care of their families and to respect that veteran while he's gone or while she -- and when she -- and when she returns.
HEMMER: Yeah. Think the country learned something over the past 30 years?
SANTOS: Oh, definitely. Definitely. I think the experiences from Vietnam have -- have brought -- brought us together in a sense now to realize that veterans do have feelings. And their families do have feelings and we've got to be -- we've got to pay attention to those veterans and their families with those feelings, by all means.
HEMMER: Richard Santos, a Vietnam veteran. Nelson Rummel, a veteran of the second World War. Gentlemen, thank you,
SANTOS: Thank you.
HEMMER: Much appreciate...
RUMMEL: Thank you.
HEMMER: ...your time, the thoughts and your service as well.
SANTOS: Thank you very much.
HEMMER: And enjoy Sunday, Veteran's day. 11th of November.
RUMMEL: Thank you very much, sir.
HEMMER: You got it..
SANTOS: Thank you.
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