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American Morning

Operation Happy Holidays: Marines Away from Home

Aired December 25, 2001 - 07:58   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: Many of us are away from our loved ones this time of year, and it came make the holidays seem less of a celebration for some, but our Bill Hemmer is really, really away from his loved ones. But he's with some very special people, and he is in Kandahar with the U.S. Marines.

Bill, hello, again.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR, KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN: Hey, Daryn, yesterday, you know, we were trying to get as many Marines' faces on the air as we could. Their families are watching at home.

We're going to do a little bit of that again today. Got another group of guys here. Young men here are here to come out and deliver their message.

Name, rank and holiday message.

CORPORAL KLEMI VIKOR (ph): Hi. My name is Corporal Klemi Vikor (ph). I'm from Americus, Georgia. All I have to say is, the terrorist attacks on America inspired them to dial 9-1-1. We answered. Well that's why we're here in Afghanistan, so you all can have a safe and merry Christmas. See you all soon.

HEMMER: Yeah, and your work is appreciated, too.

VIKOR (ph): Thank you.

HEMMER: Over here. Name, rank, home town.

CORPORAL CHRISTOPHER E. NEMEZ (ph): This is Corporal Christopher E. Nemez (ph) from (UNINTELLIGIBLE), South Carolina. I just want to wish my family back at home a merry Christmas, a happy new year, and I'll be home as soon as I can.

HEMMER: Right. Excellent. Go Gamecocks.

NEMEZ (ph): Right.

HEMMER: Back here, sir (ph).

LANCE CORPORAL CHRISTOPHER G. GORE: Yes, my name is Lance Corporal Christopher G. Gore. I'm from Florence, South Carolina. I'd like to say merry Christmas to my mother, father and family and friends, my wonderful girlfriend Michelle (ph) back home. I love you all, and I'll be home soon.

HEMMER: Nice, nice, OK. Last here?

LANCE CORPORAL TRAVIS S. MCKINSEY (ph): Yes, I'm Lance Corporal Travis S. McKinsey (ph) from Courtland (ph), Mississippi. Want to wish my mother and grandmother and other family members and friends a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. And I'll be home ASAP.

HEMMER: All right. Good deal. Merry Christmas, men. Thanks for sticking around. Much appreciated, and hope your families are watching, OK?

Daryn, we'll take to you again shortly. A lot more to come up here from Kandahar. It is Christmas Day here, but the sun's setting in southern Afghanistan. Daryn.

KAGAN: Very good. Some great young men you just interviewed, says (ph) to you, Bill, thank you very much.

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