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American Morning

Interview With Brother of Soldier Killed in Iraq David Van Dusen

Aired June 23, 2003 - 09:14   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: Since the end of major hostilities in Iraq were first declared on May 1, 56 American soldiers have been killed. One of them was a Chief Warrant Officer Brain Van Dusen who died in the crash of a medical helicopter on May 9. He is 39-years- old, left behind a wife and children. With us this morning from Columbus, Ohio his brother, David Van Dusen.
Mr. Van Dusen, thank you for joining us today.

Thank you, Daryn.

KAGAN: First, let me offer our condolences on behalf of CNN on the loss of your brother.

Thank you.

KAGAN: Before we talk about him, and I really don't want to talk about him as a statistic. I'd rather have a few moments to get to know him as a man. What can you tell us about your brother, please?

DAVID VAN DUSEN, BROTHER KILLED IN IRAQ: Oh, he was good husband, great brother. He'll be definitely missed in this world.

KAGAN: He had a long military career, 19 years. Very close to retirement?

VAN DUSEN: Yes, it's true. Eighteen or 19 years, he was due for retirement. He loved what he did.

KAGAN: I think one thing that's interesting about what he did, from what I've read, he took pride in that his job was to help save lives rather than taking lives.

VAN DUSEN: That's correct, Daryn. That, and he would -- he would fly over the Iraqi kids and throw them Dum Dum suckers. And he enjoyed what he did. Yes, that's correct.

KAGAN: And in fact the mission on which he died, he actually was part of a two-chopper mission that they were trying to go in and scoop up an Iraqi girl who had been injured and trying to get her to more medical help.

VAN DUSEN: That is correct, yes. He hovered above while the other helicopter loaded her up and then he went down into some high tension lines over the Euphrates River and took him down KAGAN: Mr. Van Dusen, when we hear these numbers of these soldiers dying since the end of the main part of the hostilities, we hear the numbers, we hear one a day, we hear the numbers mounting. But for you, this is your brother, this is your family. Has this affected how you feel about the war or the continuing hostilities and the continuing presence of American troops in Iraq?

VAN DUSEN: Well, we know that there nobody is safe right now. And I don't know if there is an end in sight or not. That all depends on if we can find Saddam and we end the violence and the hatred towards Americans

VAN DUSEN: I'm sorry. Your family has paid the ultimate price in the life of your brother. Does it affect -- how do you feel about this war, and the continuing presence of the U.S. military? How do you feel?

VAN DUSEN: Oh, I back the military 101 percent. They're doing what they're paid to do. So it boils down to your politicians, basically.

KAGAN: What about the ongoing presence?

VAN DUSEN: That again is a decision that is made, you know, up above. Hopefully this hostilities will end here before long. If not, this is what we're faced with.

KAGAN: And how is your family, your sister-in-law, your nieces and nephews, how is everyone pulling together in terms of this tragedy?

VAN DUSEN: Fairly well. It was tough at the beginning. It will probably always be tough. But I think everybody's doing a little better now.

KAGAN: Well he's a man that will not be forgotten. We appreciate, I know it's not easy to come on national television and talk about your brother. But there are many people who appreciate knowing a little bit behind the man instead of just a number and a picture.

David Van Dusen, thank you so much...

VAN DUSEN: Thank you.

KAGAN: ... for coming on today and sharing the memory of your brother, Brian. We appreciate it.

VAN DUSEN: I thank you, Daryn.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com





Dusen>


Aired June 23, 2003 - 09:14   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Since the end of major hostilities in Iraq were first declared on May 1, 56 American soldiers have been killed. One of them was a Chief Warrant Officer Brain Van Dusen who died in the crash of a medical helicopter on May 9. He is 39-years- old, left behind a wife and children. With us this morning from Columbus, Ohio his brother, David Van Dusen.
Mr. Van Dusen, thank you for joining us today.

Thank you, Daryn.

KAGAN: First, let me offer our condolences on behalf of CNN on the loss of your brother.

Thank you.

KAGAN: Before we talk about him, and I really don't want to talk about him as a statistic. I'd rather have a few moments to get to know him as a man. What can you tell us about your brother, please?

DAVID VAN DUSEN, BROTHER KILLED IN IRAQ: Oh, he was good husband, great brother. He'll be definitely missed in this world.

KAGAN: He had a long military career, 19 years. Very close to retirement?

VAN DUSEN: Yes, it's true. Eighteen or 19 years, he was due for retirement. He loved what he did.

KAGAN: I think one thing that's interesting about what he did, from what I've read, he took pride in that his job was to help save lives rather than taking lives.

VAN DUSEN: That's correct, Daryn. That, and he would -- he would fly over the Iraqi kids and throw them Dum Dum suckers. And he enjoyed what he did. Yes, that's correct.

KAGAN: And in fact the mission on which he died, he actually was part of a two-chopper mission that they were trying to go in and scoop up an Iraqi girl who had been injured and trying to get her to more medical help.

VAN DUSEN: That is correct, yes. He hovered above while the other helicopter loaded her up and then he went down into some high tension lines over the Euphrates River and took him down KAGAN: Mr. Van Dusen, when we hear these numbers of these soldiers dying since the end of the main part of the hostilities, we hear the numbers, we hear one a day, we hear the numbers mounting. But for you, this is your brother, this is your family. Has this affected how you feel about the war or the continuing hostilities and the continuing presence of American troops in Iraq?

VAN DUSEN: Well, we know that there nobody is safe right now. And I don't know if there is an end in sight or not. That all depends on if we can find Saddam and we end the violence and the hatred towards Americans

VAN DUSEN: I'm sorry. Your family has paid the ultimate price in the life of your brother. Does it affect -- how do you feel about this war, and the continuing presence of the U.S. military? How do you feel?

VAN DUSEN: Oh, I back the military 101 percent. They're doing what they're paid to do. So it boils down to your politicians, basically.

KAGAN: What about the ongoing presence?

VAN DUSEN: That again is a decision that is made, you know, up above. Hopefully this hostilities will end here before long. If not, this is what we're faced with.

KAGAN: And how is your family, your sister-in-law, your nieces and nephews, how is everyone pulling together in terms of this tragedy?

VAN DUSEN: Fairly well. It was tough at the beginning. It will probably always be tough. But I think everybody's doing a little better now.

KAGAN: Well he's a man that will not be forgotten. We appreciate, I know it's not easy to come on national television and talk about your brother. But there are many people who appreciate knowing a little bit behind the man instead of just a number and a picture.

David Van Dusen, thank you so much...

VAN DUSEN: Thank you.

KAGAN: ... for coming on today and sharing the memory of your brother, Brian. We appreciate it.

VAN DUSEN: I thank you, Daryn.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com





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