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Amtrak Car Detaches; Visiting Combat Troops; Devastated Town is Thankful. Aired 6:30-7:00a ET

Aired November 22, 2018 - 06:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:32:12] ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: Boy, talk about a scare for holiday travelers. Two cars detaching from a moving Amtrak train last night. It was on its way to New York City. Hundreds of people onboard describe the terrifying scene.

CNN's Jason Carroll joins us now with more.

I mean talk about somebody's worst nightmare.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. I mean can you imagine what it was like for these passengers. They turn around and suddenly there are no passenger cars behind them. That's exactly what happened. Amtrak now trying to sort out why the trains detached.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my God.

CARROLL: These holiday travelers have a lot to be thankful for.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This girl like came running down, like, the middle, and she was just like, the train is disconnected.

CARROLL: Two cars separating from their Amtrak train heading to New York City on one of the busiest travel days of the year. One passenger telling CNN that another man pulled the emergency brake to get the cars to stop. Amtrak says there were no reported injuries to the 287 passengers or crew.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We were right at the front where the car had separated. All we start seeing is these sparks in the front by the entry we usually walk between the cars. All these sparks and then all this noise. And we started slowing down and the rocks started flying in.

CARROLL: Many of those onboard say they were confused and scared as the opening let in the bitter cold from outside.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was just crazy. Just suddenly we stopped in the middle of nowhere.

CARROLL: The train separated around 7:20 Wednesday night in Albany, leaving passengers stranded for two hours before they could board a new train to get to New York's Penn Station.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm actually -- I'm from Philadelphia, so I've got to figure out how I'm getting home.

CARROLL: The stranded passengers finally arriving to New York City around midnight. Some still shaken by the terrifying experience.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We took the train because it was safer, but I guess today is, you know, I am grateful to be here.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CARROLL: Amtrak says the train experienced a mechanical issue. No more details on that yet. The National Transportation Safety Board, as well as the New York State Police are assisting with the investigation.

Really frightening for those passengers.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: And all they wanted to do was get to New York City for Thanksgiving.

Jason Carroll, thank you very, very much.

You know, I was on a train once with my wife from Switzerland to Italy. I know it sounds fabulous, right? But the train stopped for like an hour and we couldn't figure out what had happened and it had to -- we were in part of the train that had decoupled. We were in the passenger car and the locomotive was just gone.

HILL: Oh, my gosh, I can't even imagine.

BERMAN: And we didn't speak Swiss. I mean we didn't know how to handle the situation.

HILL: Yes, they don't speak Swiss either. They -- they have -- they have three other languages.

BERMAN: As we found out. As we found out.

(INAUDIBLE).

[06:34:54] All right, President Trump has yet to visit troops in a combat zone. Will that change this Thanksgiving. We discuss, next.

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HILL: President Trump spending Thanksgiving at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. After nearly two years in office, the commander in chief has yet to visit American troops in a combat zone. And that's something we've been hearing more and more over the last couple of weeks.

Joining us now, retired Major General James "Spider" Marks, and former Army Commanding General -- Lieutenant General Mark Hertling.

Gentlemen, good to have both of you with us and a happy Thanksgiving. There was some speculation, you know, could the president go somewhere

perhaps this Thanksgiving. The day is only just beginning, so who knows. We should put that out there.

But the president was asked just a few days ago about the troops at the border, about Thanksgiving. I just want to play for you what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Oh, you -- don't worry about the Thanksgiving. These are tough people. They know what they're doing and they're great. And they've done a great job. You're so worried about the Thanksgiving holiday for them. They are so proud to be representing our country on the border.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: General Hertling, I have heard from the folks over the last couple days say, yes, you know what, the president's right, they're there doing their job. They certainly don't want any of this politicized. And yet those comments were also met with a certain amount of, I guess, distaste from other folks that it seemed so cavalier, the approach to it. How did you take those comments?

[06:40:12] LT. GENERAL MARK HERTLING, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Exactly like that. And, yes, they are doing their jobs, and soldiers or any member of the military will dutifully approach a deployment with a good attitude, especially if their leaders are with them during that deployment.

Erica, I counted up last night. I've been on deployment seven times during Thanksgiving holidays. And you certainly are proud of what you're doing and you make buddies with your fellow soldiers and it becomes a family affair. But if you don't have to be there and it's taken lightly, that becomes unfortunate. And I think that's what the president did when he said, don't worry about them. We always worry about soldiers when they're deployed and we always care about their welfare. I think brushing it off like that was a little excessive, to be honest.

BERMAN: And, Spider, you look at it and you know, look, the troops want to do their jobs, but you think in a way this is more important for the president and his perspective?

MAJ. GEN. JAMES "SPIDER" MARKS, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Well, I think it's always important for the leaders to engage with their troops, as Mark said.

Let me take a step back and take this opportunity to say happy Thanksgiving to everybody. And let's bear in mind that we get this opportunity to be with our families. And as Mark indicated, very often in our careers, that didn't happen. But, you know, and we chalk that up to this -- kind of this arc of our experiences and we state with a certain degree of pride, yes, we did commit, yes, we were deployed and, yes, I missed the college graduation, I missed the Thanksgiving, I missed the Christmas, but we did it, as Mark indicated, because we wanted to -- it was the nation's calling and our leaders where there with us.

But the leaders get so much out of this. It's good for their soul to engage with their troops. I mean nothing's more uplifting. I mean the greatest gift America gives is their sons and daughters. And you get an opportunity to spend time with them when they otherwise might be with their families. So it really is for the benefit of the leaders.

HILL: It's also fascinating because we hear so often from this president, I'm paraphrasing, but pretty close to, no one has done more for the military than me, no one loves the military, no one loves veterans more than me. You know, so to Spider's point, to be able to go there and to interact with folks up close, one-on-one in some cases, who are deployed in rough areas, it does helps the president. It's interesting, though, for a president who has politicized in so many ways, so many other aspects, this which also seems like an easy political win for him, he does not seem willing to do, Mark.

HERTLING: Yes, I -- I'd put it in the standpoint of, you have to be with the people you serve when you're a leader during the tough times. It's very easy to do it in the sunshine and the bright light and have them as a backdrop. It's a whole lot tougher, Erica, when you're in the sand and the mud and the dirt and the cold and the wet and they see you there with them suffering the same kinds of things you're asking them to do.

That's an essence of leadership. That is what's called presence in our doctrinal manual. You have to be there. They have to see you. They have to know that you will do the kinds of things you're asking them to do. That's the critically important point that I think the president is missing.

OK, you can say you're doing a lot for the military, but if you just have video teleconferences with them and you engage them or -- at a distance or you do it at a place where it's convenient for you to go to, that's not truly engaging and that's not showing the leadership attributes.

BERMAN: General Marks, was there any part of you that thought you might wake up this morning for this appearance and find out that the president was in Baghdad or the president was somewhere in Afghanistan?

MARKS: This much. This much.

No, I -- I didn't think I was going to be ambushed with the news that the president was en route to Afghanistan. However -- however, let's be frank, you know, every visit I think in Mark's experience, and my experience, when the president of the United States would show up or one of those senior leaders, it was, in fact, an ambush for a number of legitimate security reasons and considerations. But, no, I didn't wake up this morning thinking that might happen.

BERMAN: And just --

MARKS: Wouldn't that be great, though? Wouldn't it be wonderful?

BERMAN: Well, tell me about that. And just, again, because you've both been there, Spider, what is it like to be away from your family and separated from your family on a day like this?

MARKS: Well, I mean very, very sincerely, there's a sense of loss, but it -- it is really very easy to accommodate that loss because you are in the presence of so many incredible great young men and women that are just uplifting. Of course you miss your family. Of course you miss having an opportunity to engage with your daughters and to have a fulsome conversation either about nothing or about the troubles of the day and the issues that they're dealing with. Isn't it great to be able to do that also with others' sons and daughters and to be a part of that formation.

[06:45:14] So, really you miss it, but at the same time you understand that you're doing -- you're doing God's work. You're doing what the nation needs. And you're enjoying the opportunity to be with others.

BERMAN: General Hertling, very quickly.

HERTLING: Yes, John -- John, if I could add to that, because it's a great question. I did a Twitter poll yesterday asking those veterans and service providers what was their best Thanksgiving away from home? What were their memories? And some of the responses brought tears to my eyes because you do, you become part of another family, as opposed to your own. You're certainly missing your own family, but you make the best of it.

In 2007, and again in 2008, my sergeant (ph) mayor and I, we were in northern Iraq, and we made a vow to go to 79 of our different forward operating bases over a three-day period. And we made it. And I've got to tell you, it was an amazing experience for me. It buoyed both of us up significantly.

BERMAN: Well, General Hertling, General Marks, we are grateful you are part of our family now. Thank you for being with us and thank you for everything you've done and for your service.

MARKS: Thanks, guys. Happy Thanksgiving. And stay warm in New York.

HILL: Yes. We'll try. Happy Thanksgiving. Thanks, guys.

HERTLING: See you guys. Thanks.

BERMAN: It has been more than a month since Hurricane Michael devastated Mexico Beach, Florida, but the local community has still found plenty to be thankful for. Why today will be a Thanksgiving to remember. That's next.

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[06:50:10] BERMAN: The Paradise, California, area is under flash flood watch this morning. The rain could help get the deadliest fire in the state's history under control. It is now 85 percent contained. But flood waters could hinder the search for survivors and threaten people who have been camping out since losing their homes. Eighty-three people have died and at least 563 remain unaccounted for. Many evacuees will celebrate Thanksgiving thanks to their neighbors. Surrounding communities are pitching in to prepare meals for people who have lost their homes.

HILL: Two men who have been feeding the devastated town of Mexico Beach, Florida, since Hurricane Michael roared ashore are planning one last big meal today. A Thanksgiving to remember for the survivors and for the first responders who have been helping every step of the way.

Here's CNN's Martin Savidge.

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MICHAEL SCOGGINS, CO-OWNER, KILLER SEAFOOD: There was a building here. I promise. It was called Killer Seafood.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): It's been more than a month since the hurricane obliterated Mexico Beach.

SCOGGINS: Here you would be inside the building.

SAVIDGE: But as Michael Scoggins shows me what used to be his restaurant, it's obvious the pain is still fresh.

SCOGGINS: An open kitchen where everybody could see what was going on.

SAVIDGE: Killer Seafood, a town favorite for years, is gone.

Hal Summers was general manager. He lost his job and his home. Both men could have wallowed in self-pity and left town. Instead, they decided to help the only way they could, they cooked.

In a church parking lot, amidst the roar of generators and the smoke of a grill, they began feeding first responders and residents three times a day.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Chicken tomatis (ph), corn, of course.

SAVIDGE: Seven days a week.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you want a roll?

SAVIDGE: For free.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you want a roll.

SAVIDGE: They call it Camp Happy Tummies. Fueled by donations, it provides one of the greatest comforts in dark times, a hot meal.

HAL SUMMERS, GENERAL MANAGER, KILLER SEAFOOD: This is my planning menu.

And this is the way I --

SAVIDGE (on camera): This is your menu right here. This is on, what, a parchment paper or something?

SUMMERS: That is parchment paper.

SAVIDGE (voice over): But over the weeks this tent has come to mean much more than a meal.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a safe place to cry, a safe place to let your feelings out.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody has a feeling that they're altogether and we're all in this together.

SAVIDGE: At these tables they have prayed, mourned the dead, even held a wedding reception. Hal and Michael baked the wedding cake.

This is a place where folks temporarily escape what lies just outside.

SAVIDGE (on camera): Crews are making progress cleaning up, and power, sewage and water are all making a comeback. But there is still one staggering figure. At least 75 percent of the homes in Mexico Beach have been destroyed.

SAVIDGE (voice over): Camp Happy Tummies is closing. Most of the first responders are gone and food in Mexico Beach is easier to find. But before then, Michael and Hal will help prepare one last meal to be distributed around town for Thanksgiving.

SAVIDGE (on camera): Is there a reason to be thankful in Mexico Beach?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, yes. definitely.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Absolutely.

SAVIDGE: Even with all of the destruction and all that's been lost?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Even, even, even.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're still here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So we'll have a lot to be thankful for. We have our lives. And we can rebuild. And it's just going to take time.

SAVIDGE (voice over): A month after the hurricane, people here have stopped looking for reasons to be sad. Instead, they're finding reasons to rejoice.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Look at that. There you go.

SAVIDGE (on camera): Yes.

SAVIDGE (voice over): To be grateful.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a beautiful place and it will come back.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And it's still paradise.

SAVIDGE: And instead of looking back, they're looking forward. In Mexico Beach, they've come to learn that every day is Thanksgiving Day.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you all so much.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You're very welcome.

SAVIDGE: Martin Savidge, CNN, Mexico Beach, Florida.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: Lovely. And, you know what, it will come back. It will come back because of them and because of their heart.

HILL: Absolutely. And I'm so glad that -- I'm so glad that Marty was there to do that and so glad that we haven't forgotten about the folks down there. We could all learn a lot from them.

BERMAN: All right, we do have a different kind of bird story for you on this Thanksgiving. I want you to meet Olive. Olive is a bedazzled pigeon. She's wearing a bedazzled pigeon vest. And that's not all that happened to Olive. She ran away. She fled. She flew away from her owners in Arizona, who were devastated by it.

HILL: Obviously.

BERMAN: Luckily she was tracked down and brought to a rescue center. They posted her picture online. Her owner saw it because, let's be honest, I mean how many bedazzled pigeons are there? And Olive is now back at home for Thanksgiving. It's a Thanksgiving reunion story.

[06:55:00] HILL: That vest is something else.

BERMAN: And, honestly, that's why this story is on TV because I read that and, you know, they had me at bedazzled pigeon.

HILL: Yes, I --

BERMAN: I feel like that's an incredible headline, bedazzled pigeon.

HILL: It's a fantastic headline. I will say, you also sold it very well this morning, especially the picture that we're not sharing of you wearing your own bedazzled vest. But, stay tuned. Who knows, it may come up in the 8:00 hour.

BERMAN: I was going to say, the only thing missing from this story is dignity for the pigeon, which clearly has gone away,

HILL: That went away a long time ago. Sorry, Olive.

BERMAN: Exactly. HILL: President Trump firing back at Chief Justice John Roberts. It is hardly the first time the president has attacked the judicial branch or Roberts. More on that.

BERMAN: And, it is very, very cold outside. You can see them trying to stay warm here in New York City in advance of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Will it be too cold for those balloons? A live report, next.

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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Donald Trump believes that judges should be beholden to him.

TRUMP: They file it in what's called the Ninth Circuit. This was an Obama judge.

[07:00:00] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Roberts' silence would have been backing Trump. And so he stood up.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To say that a judge is left leaning or right leaning is ludicrous.