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CNN Sunday Morning
Interview With the Smith Family
Aired June 16, 2002 - 07:24 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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, U.S. troops in Afghanistan are separated from their families this Father's Day, and that can be extremely difficult for everyone. But today, we're brining one family together, at least by satellite. Joining me from the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan is Army Sgt. Shane Smith, and in Burlington, Vermont, his family, his wife Stephanie, his son Shane Jr. and his daughter Brianna.
Sgt. Smith, you have not even seen your new baby son, have you?
SGT. SHANE SMITH, U.S. ARMY: Just only in pictures.
PHILLIPS: Oh, look, they're all together. We're going to do the best we can at describing, so I'm going to ask your daughter Brianna. She's been checking out baby Shane here. Brianna, why don't you describe your new baby brother to your daddy.
What's he look like, Brianna?
BRIANNA SMITH: He's good.
STEPHANIE SMITH: Tell him what he looks like.
PHILLIPS: What does he feel like, Brianna? Dose he feel soft?
B. SMITH: Yes.
PHILLIPS: What do his eyes look like? Do they look like daddy's?
B. SMITH: Can't (ph) get in there. But they're blue.
PHILLIPS: Stephanie, why don't you help Brianna out there. Describe this cutie pie to your husband.
STEPHANIE SMITH: Just say: He's got a cute little nose.
B. SMITH: Got a cute little nose.
STEPHANIE SMITH: His eyes are dark blue still.
B. SMITH: His eyes are dark blue still.
STEPHANIE SMITH: Little ears, dark hair. B. SMITH: Little ears, dark hair.
STEPHANIE SMITH: And looks like daddy.
B. SMITH: And looks like daddy.
PHILLIPS: Stephanie, do you see Sgt. Smith's personality in Shane Jr. there?
STEPHANIE SMITH: Oh, definitely.
PHILLIPS: Sgt. Smith, what would you like to say to Brianna?
SHANE SMITH: Hi, Brianna. Happy birthday.
B. SMITH: Thank you.
STEPHANIE SMITH: And happy Father's Day.
B. SMITH: And happy Father's Day.
PHILLIPS: Hey, Sgt. Smith, why don't you tell...
SHANE SMITH: Thank you, honey.
PHILLIPS: What do you want to tell your family, Sgt. Smith? Tell them what you've been doing and how I'm sure you've been thinking about them a lot today, especially your new son.
SHANE SMITH: Well, I'm just working the gate as usual, doing some patrols, protecting the country and making my family proud. I miss my family very much. I'm going to miss my daughter's and my wife's birthday. I missed my son's birth, and I hope to see him real soon.
PHILLIPS: Oh. Stephanie, do you understand what your husband has to do? I mean, here you are with this brand new baby, you've got a little girl -- how do you put this all into perspective, as a mom, as a wife, as an American?
STEPHANIE SMITH: Well, it's tough, but I mean, that's my husband's duties, and he's got to do it for me, for my children and for, I mean, for fellow Americans.
PHILLIPS: Brianna, tell daddy what you've been doing in school.
B. SMITH: I've been doing stuff.
PHILLIPS: What kind of stuff?
STEPHANIE SMITH: What have you been doing?
B. SMITH: I walked around.
STEPHANIE SMITH: You drew a picture.
B. SMITH: I drew a picture.
PHILLIPS: Did you draw a picture of daddy?
B. SMITH: Yes.
STEPHANIE SMITH: You can talk, honey.
PHILLIPS: Sgt. Smith, when do you get to come home?
SHANE SMITH: When am I coming home?
PHILLIPS: Yes.
SHANE SMITH: Unknown right now.
PHILLIPS: What do you want Brianna to know while you're away? I mean, obviously, she's in her younger year, she's growing up. What do you want to tell her right now?
SHANE SMITH: Brianna, I know I love you very much, and I miss hearing what you're supposed to say when somebody tells you you're very pretty. What are you supposed to say, honey?
B. SMITH: Thank you. I know, I look like my father.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: You have trained her well, Sgt. Smith. You are definitely a very beautiful family, beautiful family.
Stephanie, tell us about Shane Jr. Did you talk with dad overseas and let him know -- I mean, did you decide on the name together?
STEPHANIE SMITH: Oh yes, yes. We had that chosen before...
SHANE SMITH: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Shane, what are you going to tell your son about your time right now, and when he finally has a chance to learn about what you're doing and how are you going to explain to him why you weren't there for his birth, and the importance of your mission right now?
SHANE SMITH: It will probably be the same thing I tell my daughter, because I wasn't there for my daughter's birth either, because of a deployment.
PHILLIPS: Final thoughts. Brianna, we've got to wrap this up. Do you want to tell your daddy something before we go?
B. SMITH: Yes.
PHILLIPS: What do you want to tell him?
B. SMITH: I love him very much.
PHILLIPS: She loves you very much, dad.
STEPHANIE SMITH: And happy Father's Day.
B. SMITH: Happy Father's Day.
SHANE SMITH: Thank you, Brianna.
B. SMITH: You're welcome.
PHILLIPS: Stephanie, thanks so much fro bringing the kids in. Any final thoughts, you want to say something to your hubby before we wrap up?
STEPHANIE SMITH: Just I love him and I miss him, and can't wait to see him again.
PHILLIPS: And I'm sure, Sgt. Smith, you can't wait to see your baby boy.
SHANE SMITH: Well, I can't wait.
PHILLIPS: Sgt. Shane Smith, Stephanie Smith, Brianna and Shane Jr., happy Father's Day and thanks so much for being with us.
STEPHANIE SMITH: Thank you.
SHANE SMITH: Thank you.
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