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American Morning

President Bush at Normandy Beach to Mark Memorial Day

Aired May 27, 2002 - 07:01   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: Up front this morning, though, President Bush at historic Normandy Beach to mark the Memorial Day. He will address about 2,000 D-Day veterans, who have made the trek back to western France, about 60 minutes from now. We will have complete coverage of his speech, 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time from Normandy, where White House correspondent, Kelly Wallace, continues to travel with the president and joins us now with a preview.

Kelly, hello. Good afternoon there in France.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you, Bill. President Bush doing something unusual for a U.S. president, observing Memorial Day overseas, not in the United States. But he is coming to really where the most powerful reminders of the sacrifice of American and allied forces during World War II, the beaches at Normandy, in particular, the American cemetery here.

More than 9,000 American war dead buried here, many losing their lives storming the beaches in the early-morning hours on that day back on June 6, 1944, paving the way for the eventual defeat of the Germans, and ultimately the end of World War II.

Aides say the president will talk about the sacrifice of those soldiers during World War II, and talk about how that sacrifice continues today in the war on terror. And he will remind U.S. allies that just as the Nazi forces posed a threat 60 years ago, terrorists are posing a threat on this day.

Now, the president and the first lady arriving in the small town of Sainte-Mere Eglise a little bit earlier on this day. They were joined by French President Chirac and his wife; many of the residents in this very small town coming out to wave at the U.S. and French presidents and their wives. And then they went inside into the church for a memorial service. This town very famous. It is the first town in France that was liberated by American forces back during 1944.

Now, after that service, the Bushes will come here. They will get an aerial tour of the beaches. They will take a walk through the cemetery, and then of course, Mr. Bush will deliver an address.

And, Bill, yesterday, Mr. Bush was asked if this Memorial Day would be different, since it is the first Memorial Day since the September 11 attacks. And the president said, "This Memorial Day is the first Memorial Day in a long time in which younger Americans know firsthand the price that was paid for their freedom" -- Bill.

HEMMER: Thank you, Kelly -- Kelly Wallace again in Normandy. And again, as a reminder, about an hour from now, back to Normandy to cover the president's address today, Memorial Day. He will speak, again as we mentioned, to about 2,000 D-Day veterans. Stay tuned for that in the next hour here on AMERICAN MORNING.

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