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American Morning
Marine in Afghanistan Sends Holiday Wishes Home
Aired December 24, 2001 - 09:17 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.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: We have been bringing you Operation Happy Holidays all this morning. It's a look at some of the Marines, specifically in Afghanistan, what they're doing on Christmas Eve in Kandahar.
CNN's Bill Hemmer is with the group there.
Bill, just watching your segments, I can't help but be so proud of these men and women over there. I know you feel the same way.
BILL HEMMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, great point, Miles. Yes, dead on. I thought it quite deeply over the past few days. We can talk more about that in a little bit, but you hit the nail on the head.
Cpl. Jose Martinez is with us now, Miles. He's from Vista, California.
CPL. JOSE MARTINEZ: I'm 22.
HEMMER: You're 22.
You have been out since when?
J. MARTINEZ: August 13.
HEMMER: So you were at sea when the attacks hit New York, Washington, western Pennsylvania -- is that right?
J. MARTINEZ: That's correct.
HEMMER: What did you feel as you look back on that time? And what did the others in your 15th (UNINTELLIGIBLE) feel at the time that that occurred?
J. MARTINEZ: At first, it didn't hit me. I couldn't believe it at first. The reaction I saw with other Marines was some of them where hurt more than others, seeing how they had family members in the Twin Towers. So we had a big formation, and we were told to start prepping, because we had to do what we had to do.
HEMMER: You've got a daughter at home. You've also got a wife back in Vista, California. How long has it been since you've seen your wife? J. MARTINEZ: August 13, so it's going on five months.
HEMMER: I guess the more appropriate question is how long has it been since she's seen you?
J. MARTINEZ: It's the exact same time.
HEMMER: Today, Corporal, your wife, Monica, and your daughter, Marisa, who is five years old, are standing by in Vista, California.
Monica, if you can hear us, here in Kandahar, Afghanistan, over the roar of that C-130 in the background, your husband has chosen you to offer the first comment, the first thought, the first question. So you are on the spot now, Monica. Go ahead, fire away, from Vista, California.
MONICA MARTINEZ: Hi, how are you doing?
J. MARTINEZ: How are you doing, baby?
MONICA MARTINEZ: I'm doing good. I miss you so much, baby. Merry Christmas.
J. MARTINEZ: Merry Christmas to you too, baby.
MONICA MARTINEZ: How are you doing?
J. MARTINEZ: Who is all there?
MONICA MARTINEZ: Look, this is Cassandra. This is Maria's baby.
J. MARTINEZ: How is everything at home?
MONICA MARTINEZ: Everything's doing good. Everybody misses you a lot. We all love you, and we can't wait for you to come home. Everybody is here to say hi to you, everybody in your family.
J. MARTINEZ: I'll be home soon, don't worry about that.
HEMMER: They're telling me your whole family is gathered there in Vista.
J. MARTINEZ: Merry Christmas, Happy New Year's, I love you all.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're waiting (UNINTELLIGIBLE). We're thinking about you all the time. So just be safe out there.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, Peppers, how are you doing? I know it's hard. Take care. We're all waiting for you here. Keeping everybody calm as much as I can. Your new niece is waiting for your. She is 10 pounds, 21 inches. We just got her ears pierced. She is really looking forward to seeing you. Take care of yourself. We're waiting for you. Bye.
MONICA MARTINEZ: Say hi to papa.
MARISA MARTINEZ: Hi, Papa.
MONICA MARTINEZ: Say "I miss you."
MARISA MARTINEZ: I miss you.
MONICA MARTINEZ: Show him your teeth. Smile, show everybody your teeth. Come on, baby.
Marisa lost another one of her teeth.
Smile. Smile, Marisa, you're on TV.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello, son, this is your dad. I'm here, and I'm thinking about you. This is my best Christmas present this year. Take care of yourself, son, and I'm thinking about you all the time.
(CROSSTALK)
J. MARTINEZ:
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Have a good Christmas...
(CROSSTALK)
J. MARTINEZ: I love you, Mom.
Passing it back and forth.
MARISA MARTINEZ: Hi, Papa. I love you. I miss you.
J. MARTINEZ: I love you too. I miss you too.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi, Pepe. I miss you.
J. MARTINEZ: How are you doing?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love you. I hope you come home soon.
J. MARTINEZ: I'll be home soon enough.
HEMMER: This sounds like one crowded house.
Tell us about your family, Corporal.
J. MARTINEZ: Basically, my whole family's in Vista. Right now, my wife is staying with her mom, which is approximately 1 1/2 miles from where my parents live. And my brother lives about two blocks away from my parents. And now my sister and my new brother-in-law, who is back from the rear in the battalion, live a couple of blocks away from the house too. So we're all gathered around.
HEMMER: It sounds like a big, crowded house, and that's a really good thing during the holidays. Why don't you give us another greeting to your family back there and tell them about how you are doing out here.
J. MARTINEZ: Well, don't worry about me. I can take care of myself. I'm doing fine. I just wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and I'll get home soon as they let me get home. Don't worry. That's pretty much it.
HEMMER: To the Martinez family, please, the final words to Jose, here in Kandahar.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, I want to say that we're all very proud of him, and we love him and we miss you a lot, and we're all waiting for you to come home. And we hope to see you soon. We love you. Take care of yourself.
J. MARTINEZ: I love you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Take care, Pepe, I love you.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Merry Christmas.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Merry Christmas. I can't wait for you to come home.
J. MARTINEZ: Happy New Year.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come on home.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love you.
J. MARTINEZ: I will be home as soon as I can.
(CROSSTALK)
J. MARTINEZ: I love you too, baby.
MONICA MARTINEZ: We'll all be here waiting for you.
J. MARTINEZ: Don't worry I'll be home as soon as I can.
(CROSSTALK)
MONICA MARTINEZ: I can't way. I love you, baby.
J. MARTINEZ: I love you too.
HEMMER: You have a great family.
J. MARTINEZ: I know I do.
HEMMER: Thanks, Corporal. Merry Christmas to you. Thanks for doing this.
J. MARTINEZ: Thanks to you guys.
HEMMER: I'm sure for your family, it was great for them to see you.
Spirit continues, Miles, live in Kandahar. Back to you.
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