Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Crowds Gather for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade; Demonstration Expected Outside of President Bush's Ranch in Texas; A Look Inside the Preparations for the Parade; U.S. Soldier Phones Home From Baghdad

Aired November 24, 2005 - 08:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back, everybody.
You're taking a look at live pictures of the crowd already forming because they want to get the best seats in the house, or standing, in the house. The 79th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is going to make its way right down Central Park West. You can see a little bit of the parade route right here.

And this, right there, that circle, that's Columbus Circle and that's our view. Tom The Turkey, right there, he's going to be leading the parade. Quite an exciting day for us here.

And even though it looks a little bit overcast, weather-wise we're actually thrilled to know that the winds lower than what had been predicted yesterday...

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It's just colder than a you know what.

O'BRIEN: It's chilly. Yes, but you know what? Chilly they can deal with. The high winds were a little problematic for the balloons. Not a problem now. It looks like those -- the winds are going to (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...

COSTELLO: Right. If the winds blow 23 miles per hour or higher...

O'BRIEN: They start yanking the balloons.

COSTELLO: They yank the balloons and if there are wind gusts 34 miles per hour or higher, they do the same thing.

O'BRIEN: Right.

COSTELLO: But right now, according to Jacqui Jeras, the winds are about 12 miles per hour, so it should be OK.

O'BRIEN: Yes, it should be really, really great. So we're looking forward to that.

We're going to be follow that, of course, on this AMERICAN MORNING.

And we are coming to you live from the Time Warner Center, which is right above that circle you've been seeing on Manhattan's West Side. It's our regular home. Today, though, we're going to brag on ourselves for a little bit, because we have the best seats in the house, really, as this parade is going to march right under our window and we're going to have a chance to see it.

COSTELLO: And it's going to happen very soon.

O'BRIEN: Yes.

COSTELLO: Because the parade starts, oh, in just under an hour, at 9:00 Eastern time. All the floats, the bands, the balloons, including Mister Healthy Potato Head.

O'BRIEN: Your favorite.

COSTELLO: That's my favorite.

O'BRIEN: Yes.

COSTELLO: Because, as Jacqui said, when did he become Mister Healthy Potato Head?

O'BRIEN: When they put sneakers on him and decided that...

COSTELLO: He's a jock.

O'BRIEN: ... potatoes could be healthy for you. Yes.

COSTELLO: A jock.

O'BRIEN: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: Anyway, he and the rest of the balloons will run right past our windows.

O'BRIEN: We're looking forward to that. That should be really, really great.

Also, since Hurricane Katrina, you know, we've had a chance to introduce you to a number of people directly affected by the hurricane. Many of them have become our friends and some of them really have become more like family. And so we asked them to spend the holiday with us. Some came here to New York and they're going to join us live in our studio.

COSTELLO: And we'll also take you to New Orleans, to visit some of our other friends, like John Besh. He's the chef and owner of the Restaurant August. Besh, as he's known, has an amazing story. In the days after the storm, he filled a van with red beans and rice and he started feeding evacuees and rescuers just because.

Three months later, he's still feeding the town.

We'll join him in the kitchen as he prepares a special Thanksgiving meal for his staff.

O'BRIEN: Also, another guest today, Lizzie Maloy. Remember her? She's that high school senior who's from one of the most damaged towns, Long Beach, Mississippi. We met her in the weeks after Katrina and we gave her a video camera so that she could document what's happening in her town, in her school with her friends. So she and some of those friends have actually flown to New York. They're going to join us live in the studio.

They are so excited, as you can imagine, to be in New York City for Thanksgiving and to have a great view of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. We're looking forward to catching up with her.

And then there's Julia Reed. You know Julia. We check in with Julia from time to time. She is an editor and contributor with "Vogue" and "Newsweek" magazines, and also a long time resident of New Orleans. And she's going to give us a sense this morning of just how the folks there are coping this Thanksgiving.

COSTELLO: I think she needs her own talk show.

O'BRIEN: Oh, she's so funny.

COSTELLO: She's one feisty woman.

We'll also talk with Christopher Saucedo. He's from New Orleans. He's a sculptor and an art teacher, but he lost everything, including his art. You know, he's had art for the past, what, 25 years? He lost it all in the hurricane. He and his family now living in Brooklyn. He commutes back and forth to teach at the University of New Orleans. We'll ask him how he and his family are coping.

O'BRIEN: Yes, we're looking forward to seeing all those folks and bringing those stories back to you.

First, though, the weather.

A little earlier, we were a little worried the wind might ground the Macy's Parade balloons. That's not going to be the case, though, we are told. The wind has died down quite a bit. Everything is good to go.

Let's get right to Jason Carroll.

He's just down the street, a few blocks from where the parade is going to begin in less than an hour now -- hey, Jason, good morning.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you.

How is it going up there?

I can tell you how is it going down here. Things are looking really good. I mean it's wet, it's cold, but wind not a factor right now. I know that some of the parade organizers have been installing wind meters along the parade route.

And if you take a look right up here where we are, at Central Park West and 72nd Street, you can see a wind sock up there. Looking pretty flat. And that's a good thing, because as long as the wind stays flat, the balloons are going to go up.

So far we're hearing things are a go.

Take a look down the parade route there, Tom The Turkey. He's looking pretty good. Again, he has avoided the dinner table this year. He will be starting off the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

We've got hundreds upon hundreds of people that have been out here since very early this morning. It's unbelievable, people from as far away as Texas and Florida. Jolly old England over there. Unbelievable. I mean I really give it up to this people because if I didn't have to work, you know I wouldn't be out here.

But let's start off with my new friends here, about a dozen of my northwest friends. They're from Texas/Arizona/New Hampshire. I didn't forget about u. I did not forget about u.

Now, how are you guys doing so far? You've been out here since what time?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Saturday.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: 6:30.

CARROLL: What? No. I meant for the parade.

(CROSSTALK)

CARROLL: There you go.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: 6:30 this morning.

CARROLL: 6:30. You're from Texas, so I know this is new for you guys, in terms of the weather.

How is it going so far?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's cold.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's freezing, oh my gosh.

CARROLL: But at least the parade's a go.

Who are you looking forward to seeing?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Snoopy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Snoopy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everybody.

(CROSSTALK)

CARROLL: Yes, me, too, Snoopy, Snoopy. Let's not forget you guys down here from New Hampshire. You're used to this weather. This is nothing for you guys. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, no, no. But he did make me get up at 4:15 to come out here.

CARROLL: What kind of husband is that?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's not my husband.

CARROLL: Oh!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No. Fight! Fight!

CARROLL: That explains that, then, doesn't it? That explains that.

We've got lots of folks that are out here getting ready for the parade to start. It's going to start in about an hour. Thank gosh, so far -- thank you, you guys. Thanks -- so far things are looking good. The parade's going to get going at about 9:00. The parade's a go. Balloons are going up. A lot of folks out here are looking forward to it -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: That might be the best line of the day. That's not my husband. He made me...

CARROLL: Who is that man then?

O'BRIEN: Who is that man?

CARROLL: And why did he wake her up at 4:30?

O'BRIEN: He got me up at 4:50 in the morning.

All right, Jason, thanks a lot.

CARROLL: Hi, Miles!

Hi, Soledad.

O'BRIEN: All right, we'll check in with you again, because those numbers are only going to grow. Folks have come out early, 6:30 in the morning, so they can get a great spot. You know it's going to fill up fast. More than two million people will be lining that parade route.

Let's take a look at the Google map of the route, in fact. It starts at 77th Street and Central Park West. They go right down Central Park West, right past our studios here at Columbus Circle in New York City.

See that little hook there? My dad would call that a dog leg. That little dog leg is where our studio is.

COSTELLO: Excellent description.

O'BRIEN: Yes. And that's where we're going to have a terrific spot to be looking right there at Columbus Circle. And they head right down to Macy's flagship store at 34th Street, which, of course, is Herald Square.

So, you know, we heard just a moment ago it's wet, it's cold, it's looking good. That came from Jason. And, of course, the parade is a go because of the weather.

Let's get right to Jacqui Jeras.

She's at the CNN Center with the very latest on the forecast -- hello.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hey, Soledad.

Yes, that rain and snow got out of there just in time. We can't rule out another isolated rain or snow shower later on today. But the wind should be kicking up stronger after the noon hour. So hopefully that's going to be holding up.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thanksgiving celebrations in Crawford, Texas today for President Bush and his family.

In the meantime, outside the ranch, demonstrators planning more anti-war protests, despite several arrests on Wednesday.

CNN's Elaine Quijano is live in Crawford, Texas this morning -- Elaine, we're expecting Cindy Sheehan to be there.

Is she there yet?

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: She isn't, and we're expecting her, Carol, later tonight to join with the demonstrators. She's not due to arrive here in Texas, though, until late tonight, so it may not be until Friday that she's actually out there with him. But she had, of course, led protesters back in August here in Crawford, demanding to meet with President Bush and demanding the withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

But yesterday, Cindy Sheehan's sister was among about a dozen demonstrators who turned out near the president's ranch and were arrested.

Now, since August, McLennan County commissioners here have enacted a new ordinance basically banning camping and parking along the road. But with Sheehan's arrival, look for an increase in the number of protesters expected to turn out here in Crawford -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, thanks, Elaine.

Before you go, though, we have to talk about the first family's Thanksgiving Day Thanksgiving Day menu, because I understand all of them are there.

QUIJANO: That's right. The president is going to be having dinner, much like other families across America. And he'll be having dinner with the first lady, with their twin daughters, Jenna and Barbara, and also the president's parents. And on the menu at the Prairie Chapel Ranch, the traditional Thanksgiving favorites, but a little bit more elaborate versions.

You see the president is going to have some free-range turkey, dressing. He'll have some chipotle maple whipped sweet potatoes and two versions -- two desserts, rather -- Texas pecan pie and pumpkin pie on the menu, as well, among other things -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Oh, those whipped potatoes sound so good to me. I can almost smell them.

Elaine Quijano live in Crawford, Texas this morning.

Coming up, a Thanksgiving reunion of sorts for one military family. We're giving one young soldier in Iraq a chance to talk to his wife and baby. That'll happen live on AMERICAN MORNING.

And we'll catch up with 17-year-old Lizzie Malloy. She's been keeping a video diary for us since Katrina hit her hometown. Today, she is in New York. We'll see how she is doing this Thanksgiving, just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LT. COL. ROSS BROWN: Hey, I want to wish everybody at home a Happy Thanksgiving. And give a special thanks to my son Eric for his lucky note that he sent me. So, thank you, Eric. And everybody have a great Thanksgiving.

O'BRIEN: Back to the parade preps. The parade getting underway in less than, oh, in about 45 minutes or so.

You know, it is obviously not easy to get these balloons, one of the focal points of the parade, from concept to real life, so to speak. First, of course, you have to have the pencil sketch, then you go into the computer animated design and then you have the clay models and then eventually you get the balloon. And then even then, after that, it's a matter of inflating them. That's quite a process, too.

We got a chance to take a peak yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

ROBIN HALL, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, MACY'S PARADE: Come on over (UNINTELLIGIBLE) maybe they're inflating.

We have 14 giant balloons and then we have a whole slew of similar balloons that we have to fill. This is one of the greatest freshman classes of all time.

O'BRIEN: Oh, look, poor Super Globe is on his nose.

The question about the weather is a question you get every single year.

HALL: Every year. O'BRIEN: Every year. Because, of course, you know, if it's too windy, these balloons have people underneath them who are really steering them.

HALL: Right.

O'BRIEN: You can't fly them in high winds.

HALL: Sixty people under most of them. On the average...

O'BRIEN: Sixty?

HALL: ... 55, 60 people under each balloon and we have a highly trained flight crew under each balloon. So we're confident that we're going to have a safe parade.

O'BRIEN: This is the first year, I believe, that you're going to be going right by our office, Time Warner Center, because they finally finished construction on Time Warner Center...

HALL: Yes. And we love the way Columbus Circle looks.

O'BRIEN: It looks good.

HALL: We're really happy with it. Yes, there's...

O'BRIEN: Well, how many people come out to see the parade every year? Do you know the number?

HALL: Two-and-a-half million is what the police department tells us.

O'BRIEN: Whoo.

(AUDIO CLIP OF PAST PARADE FOOTAGE)

CELINE (ph): The parade is super! (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

O'BRIEN: Yes?

CELINE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

O'BRIEN: And you like the M&M float? And, Cedrick, what do you like the best? Hold on.

CEDRICK: The same thing as Celine. The M&M float?

OK. Thanks for telling us.

I'll tighten you right back up.

He's a Southern boy, you can tell.

What's your favorite balloon?

HALL: I would never want to name a favorite. O'BRIEN: Oh, come on!

HALL: Oh, no. Absolutely not.

O'BRIEN: Come on.

HALL: Absolutely not.

O'BRIEN: It's like picking a favorite among your children?

HALL: That's right.

O'BRIEN: You just can't do it.

HALL: No, I'll hurt one of their -- I'll hurt one of them. I won't.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

O'BRIEN: That was fun, to watch the inflation yesterday, I've got to tell you. But then, you know...

COSTELLO: Who were those children?

O'BRIEN: Oh, well, those were -- I was going to tell you. The one who was in love with Super Grover and Dora, my daughter, Sophia, who came out to watch. The older ones are our friends Celine and Cedrick. We're going to -- they're going to join us. You know, they lost, really, everything in hurricane Katrina and so we have asked them to come and be with us here for the holiday.

They are living in White Plains, New York now, and so they've accepted and so I had some new friends.

Cedrick not such a big talker. And it was cold.

COSTELLO: And not such a big fan of the cold weather, either.

O'BRIEN: No. So he was kind of bundled up. But he warmed up a little bit and...

COSTELLO: He's a cutie.

O'BRIEN: Yes, he's really fun. We're going to meet him a little later.

COSTELLO: OK, well, I guess they're downstairs right now.

O'BRIEN: Yes, yes.

COSTELLO: So we'll get to them a little later.

Coming up, we'll join our friend John Besh in the kitchen. He's cooking up a special Thanksgiving dinner for us down in New Orleans. The main course? Turducken. Oh, we'll tell you what the heck that is next on AMERICAN MORNING. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: To be separated from the people you love during the holiday is always difficult, but maybe it's even the toughest for some of our military men and women who are serving overseas.

We wanted to take a moment to talk to a young family who is divided this holiday season.

Private First Class Michael Wilmott is with the 10th Mountain Division. He's at Camp Liberty in Baghdad this morning.

And from Albany, New York is his wife Tiffany and their baby, Michael, Jr. M.J. they call him.

Oh, there's the wave.

Hi, M.J.

Good morning.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.

Thanks for being with us.

We sure appreciate it.

TIFFANY WILMOTT, SOLDIER'S WIFE: Good morning and thank you.

O'BRIEN: Tiffany, let's begin with you.

The baby turns one on Sunday, I've heard, and I know Michael's birthday is the second week in December. And then, of course, Christmas comes right behind that. Boy, that's got to be tough for you this time of year, huh?

T. WILMOTT: Yes, it is. It's very hard.

O'BRIEN: Michael, it's your first tour of duty and you're relatively new out there. There are other soldiers, though, who are going through their second tours.

Have they given you any advice about the best way to try to stay connected with your family while you're still obviously focused on the mission?

PFC MICHAEL WILMOTT, U.S. ARMY: Yes, well, the best way to stay focused on your family, to me, is I bought a cell phone right off the bat, as soon as I got in here. I met an interpreter for my unit and he gave me a good deal on it and that's the best way for me. You know, my wife loves it, you know?

O'BRIEN: So that's great. You guys get to talk a lot by phone.

I know they also have set up some video conferences, as well.

How has that been? Has that been helpful too, Michael?

M. WILMOTT: Oh, yes. It's great to see my family. I haven't seen my son in a few months and he's grown like a tree. It's unbelievable.

O'BRIEN: Yes, and Michael, M.J. I should say, he's -- what a handsome little boy. But at that age, at one, they grow so fast, don't they, Tiffany?

I know you have both sets of grandparents near you.

T. WILMOTT: Yes, I do.

O'BRIEN: That's got to help.

T. WILMOTT: Yes, oh it does tremendously. His parents, you know, help out, my parents help out. It's just unbelievable the help we have.

O'BRIEN: That is such good news. That's such good news.

Tell me a little bit about the video-conferencing. I mean, obviously to keep Michael, big Michael, up to speed with what little Michael is doing has got to be pretty important to you.

T. WILMOTT: Oh, it is. I tell him every day, you know, any time I talk to him, look at the cell phone, I tell him anything that's new, what he says, what he does, how much mess he makes. It's really important so.

O'BRIEN: Well, he sounds right on schedule for a 1-year-old then.

T. WILMOTT: Oh, yes.

O'BRIEN: I don't know if you can hear him, Michael. Your son is now wiggling and talking. Oh, yes, yes, he's right on schedule.

T. WILMOTT: See dada?

O'BRIEN: Michael, give me a sense of how tough this time of year is for the troops. I know they bring in a Thanksgiving dinner and all that.

Does that help a lot?

M. WILMOTT: Oh, it sure does. I mean, it's tough being away from your family, but being around a lot of good guys, you know, makes this deployment real -- a little bit easier.

O'BRIEN: What's your schedule like? When do you get to come back home?

M. WILMOTT: It's up in the air. Me, I'm a little low on the food chain so I just go home when they tell me. O'BRIEN: And, Tiffany, how are you managing right now, I mean, as we come up on this time of year and, you know, as Michael said, it's not -- he's not coming back any time really soon.

T. WILMOTT: It's hard with everything that's going on. His first birthday, my husband's, you know, birthday coming up, Christmas. It's hard but you just have to take a deep breath and get through it and know that everything is going to be OK and just hope for the best.

O'BRIEN: Yes. A healthy little baby, too, which means you've got a lot to be thankful for.

T. WILMOTT: Yes.

O'BRIEN: I'm going give you guys a second to say hey to each other. You know what? You really -- I don't need to be in on this. You guys talk to each other.

Go ahead, Tiffany.

T. WILMOTT: Hi, baby.

Howe are you?

M. WILMOTT: Hey, baby, how are you doing?

T. WILMOTT: I'm doing OK.

M. WILMOTT: How's my little man?

T. WILMOTT: Oh, he's good. He's good. He's squirming.

M. WILMOTT: I can -- I can hear him.

O'BRIEN: I think he wants to get in on this conversation.

T. WILMOTT: Oh, yes.

O'BRIEN: Private First Class Michael Wilmott, Tiffany Wilmott and little M.J. too, thanks, you guys, for talking with us, and we'll see if we can keep the satellite up and you can continue to talk as we break away.

T. WILMOTT: Thank you so very much.

M. WILMOTT: Thank you very much.

Happy Thanksgiving.

O'BRIEN: Thank you. And likewise to you.

T. WILMOTT: Happy Thanksgiving.

O'BRIEN: Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

T. WILMOTT: Thank you. COSTELLO: Oh, good, I'm glad we're keeping that up, because that wasn't long enough. The hi, baby; hi, baby wasn't enough.

O'BRIEN: I know.

COSTELLO: It wasn't nearly enough.

O'BRIEN: And then the delay, of course. And little M.J. obviously, wanted to get on that.

COSTELLO: He was very vocal, which dad was happy about.

O'BRIEN: Yes, he was. What a cutie.

COSTELLO: Yes.

Coming up, our friend Lizzie Maloy stops by. The 17-year-old from Long Beach, Mississippi has been keeping a video diary for us since Katrina hit her home town. And today she's in New York. We'll see how she's doing this Thanksgiving.

That's just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

ARIANNE MARIE GRAHAM: My name is Arianne Marie Graham of Atlanta, Georgia. My maternal grandparents, Joe and Shirley Gaspard, have lived in New Orleans, Louisiana for practically all of their lives. Our family decided not to worry about hurricane Katrina headed directly for New Orleans.

As we watched the news coverage, our family feared the worst.

Today, Joe and Shirley have permanently relocated to Atlanta. It is only by the grace of god and the kindness of countless individuals that my elderly grandparents were able to escape the city that care forgot.

Our family has been truly blessed by the outpouring of support and generosity from both friends and complete strangers. We want to thank these good Samaritans for caring for Joe and Shirley and we wish them the happiest of holiday seasons.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Let's say we head down to New Orleans right now to the Restaurant August, a very posh restaurant in New Orleans, with one of the best chefs in the world, chef John...

JOHN BESH, CHEF: Amen.

COSTELLO: I knew you'd like that, Chef Besh.

I got that down.

OK, a lot of people are putting the turkey in the oven right now.

So give us a tip. BESH: No, wait a sec. We've got to do -- we're doing turducken down here -- a chicken stuffed into a duck into a turkey.

COSTELLO: Yes, we're going to talk about that later because...

BESH: It is the best thing you've ever had.

COSTELLO: ... it sounds like it would be kind of...

BESH: But for the -- a helpful hint for the turkey?

COSTELLO: Yes.

BESH: Season it, roast it at a low temperature and watch the temperature of your turkey. The turkey needs to cook. We don't need to rush these things. Don't try to cook a frozen turkey. Let it take its time. And let's just be safe and have a wonderful...

COSTELLO: Ideal temperature?

BESH: ... absolutely. Table, temperature, 160 would be perfect.

COSTELLO: Wow! You're going to have to cook that turkey for hours.

Chef John Besh, we're going to get back to you.

BESH: A couple hours.

COSTELLO: We're going to get back to you.

We're going to take a short break.

We'll be back with much more from Chef Besh on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Guess what? We're just about 30 minutes away from the parade. We're so excited.

Does it look, Carol, like I'm having a party, because I kind of am? I came downstairs...

COSTELLO: I can't see you yet. We're taking...

O'BRIEN: There we go.

COSTELLO: We're taking a look at the parade route.

O'BRIEN: Yes.

COSTELLO: But there we can see you.

Who have you got with you?

O'BRIEN: Yes, I've got lots of friends. Remember, we've been talking all morning about the folks that we have had the opportunity, really, and in many ways we have been blessed to meet some of the folks today who are here. And they're in town and so we thought we'd spend Thanksgiving Day with them.

And we'll give you better indications in just a little bit. And, of course, some of our friends who are joining us from New Orleans, as well.

So ahead this morning, we're going to be introducing you to our friends here and also giving you a better sense of what we're all here to see, which is really the parade. Come on this way and I'll show you.

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