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CNN Sunday Morning

Bush to Attend Service Honoring Fallen Firefighters

Aired October 07, 2001 - 07:19   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.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush is expected to leave Camp David this morning and head to a service honoring fallen firefighters. We've got more from CNN's Kelly Wallace who joins us live from Emmittsburg, Maryland -- Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello there, Jeanne. Well, President Bush and the First Lady will come here to pay tribute to the 101 firefighters killed in the line of duty last year.

You can't see it behind me, but back there is called the National Fallen Firefighters Monument. The names of those firefighters will be added to that monument. This year's event is to be especially emotional because it will also pay tribute to the more than 300 members of the New York City Fire Department killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center. And their names, we understand, will be added to the monument next year.

Now, as you know, President Bush has joined Americans around the country, recognizing just what firefighters do to help fellow Americans on Wednesday. He was up in New York City visiting a station house in lower Manhattan, Engine Company 55, a station house that was lost five firefighters in the attacks on September 11.

And then during his first visit to New York, just a few days after the attack, a very memorable moment -- the president grabbing a bullhorn, talking to rescue workers and firefighters. Firefighters and rescue workers chanting "USA," "USA." The president going to lift the spirits of those firefighters. Many believe the firefighters lifted the spirits of the commander-in-chief as well.

And Jeanne, to put this all into perspective, according to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, an average of 100 firefighters die in the line of duty every year. Obviously, three times that number died on the attacks on the World Trade Center September 11.

Jeanne, from here, after the event here at this memorial service, President Bush and Mrs. Bush head back to the White House. And this after Mr. Bush, for the first time, said time is running out for Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia. The president saying the Taliban must adhere to his demands, which include turning over suspected terrorist Osama Bin Laden or face the consequences -- Jeanne.

MESERVE: Kelly, any meetings scheduled today with his national security advisers, do we know?

WALLACE: We don't know for sure, Jeanne, but we don't believe so. Typically, the president has had a Saturday meeting, which he did yesterday, sharing another video teleconference with his National Security team. Some of the members of his team with him at the presidential retreat, other members joining him from Washington.

And then on Sunday, typically not, at this point in time, we don't believe a meeting is scheduled. But we'll keep checking. Jeanne, back to you.

MESERVE: OK, Kelly Wallace in Emmittsburg, Maryland. Thanks so much.

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