Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Sunday Morning
Seven Freed Prisoners of War Get Big Welcome Upon Return
Aired April 20, 2003 - 07:00 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.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: We begin this hour with a star- spangled homecoming for seven freed prisoners of war. The soldiers got a hero's welcome at their Army bases in Texas. Then, they got some private time, much needed private time and well-deserved with their families.
We're going to get the latest right now from Thelma Gutierrez at Fort Bliss and Jamie Colby at Fort Hood.
But, Thelma, let's start with you.
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Anderson.
Well, here at Fort Bliss where yellow ribbons line the base, five can come down today. It was an amazing sight last night here on the tarmac at the Biggs Army Airfield as that C-17 touched down after a very long, nonstop flight from Germany. Hundreds waved American flags, POW-MIA flags, posters and yellow ribbons. Many had tears in their eyes as they watched that transport plane on approach.
When it landed, a memorable sight as Specialist Joseph Hudson and Patrick Miller climbed up through the cockpit, atop the plane, waved to the crowd, holding the American flag.
Now, the immediate family members of the former POWs were escorted onto a bus and taken to a plane for the reunion. The back door opened, the first one out was Joseph Hudson, who ran into the arms of his family. The others followed.
Friends who were watching said it was an overwhelming experience.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The prayers of millions of Americans were with Shoshana and the rest of them. And to know that they, you know, were found, I guess you might have seen me when I was hugging her. My body was on the ground, but my spirit was about the 10th floor. You know what I mean?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUTIERREZ: The POWs boarded a golf cart. They were paraded around the tarmac to the cheering crowd, extended family members and friends calling out their names.
Specialist Shoshana Johnson, who was shot through both ankles, waved the American and the Panamanian flags last night. Many in the crowd very happy; again, tears in their eyes.
The seven were taken to the deployment center, which is the last place, the last building that they visited before they were deployed last February.
Now, today, Easter Sunday, a very quiet, private time for these families, and then for the next two to four days, they will have a medical evaluation. And then after that, perhaps much needed rest, maybe even a medical leave before they return to their duties.
And now, we have mentioned that there were seven -- five were left here at Fort Bliss, two went on to Fort Hood. And for that part of the story, we go to our colleague, Jamie Colby, in Fort Hood -- Jamie.
JAMIE COLBY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thelma, good morning.
It must have been a reassuring sight as their plane pulled into Fort Hood right in front of the hangar where their unit, the 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, is based. They deplaned, and were greeted by the embraces of their loved ones, David Williams by his wife, Michele, a Black Hawk helicopter pilot here, and Juan Young by his parents.
Well, those hugs only lasted a few minutes, because waiting for them in the hangar: the troops and their general, who greeted them, saying that he was so proud of their service and so happy to have them home. "It is a great day in America," he said. And they were greeted with the applause of everyone there.
Chief Warrant Officers David Williams and Ron Young taking a few minutes to the podium to have a few words. They said they were happy to be home, but didn't want to forget those that had been left behind.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
C.W.O. DAVID WILLIAMS, U.S. ARMY: We must keep praying for those soldiers who are still fighting. And God bless America. I love you.
C.W.O. RONALD YOUNG, U.S. ARMY: I say a special prayer each night for our fallen comrades. The soldiers that didn't make it home, and the ones that are still over there, I want everyone to remember them in their prayers. They're truly great Americans, and there is no doubt in my mind that the 1st Cav. Division, any of you soldiers would have done the exact same thing I did when I was there. I love you all very much. I love the American people. God bless America. Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLBY: And that was only a few hours ago, the excitement overwhelming.
Today, President Bush is expected to attend an Easter service at a church on the base. That also serving as inspiration for the soldiers there; they now have two of their pilots home. Today, the president visiting them, the first time since before the war began. He was last here at the beginning of January.
And today, private time for these families on Easter Sunday, something that the ones who are here, David Williams' wife and Ron Young's parents, had wanted so bad to share with both of these soldiers. They will continue to receive medical counseling and treatment, and their families have also been briefed, not only on what to expect, but what they can do to help their adjustment home -- Anderson.
COOPER: Jamie and Thelma, a couple of questions for both of you. But, Jamie, let me start off with you.
For both David Williams and Ronald Young, how much time do they get off? I mean, is it sort of open-ended, just depending on what their needs are?
COLBY: It is absolutely open-ended, and their commanding officers have said they want them to take whatever time they need with their families, and also personal time for themselves. There is no question there's an adjustment here. And the concern obviously: Will they exhibit signs of a post-traumatic stress disorder? It can often happen when you're in captivity.
And actually, Anderson, it's interesting. Recent studies have shown that it's not the length of the captivity, but actually family history and genetics that can determine whether or not you will suffer symptoms. So it's a wait-and-see right now -- Anderson.
COOPER: And, Thelma, watching the return to Fort Bliss last night, I certainly thought the name "Fort Bliss" seemed incredibly appropriate because of all of the joy that was going on there last night. But they were very careful to point out that there are still large numbers of their personnel -- I think they said there were some 4,000 members of the 507th from Fort Bliss still in Iraq. So a lot of their thoughts were still with those still serving in-country.
GUTIERREZ: That's exactly right, Anderson. And in fact, that was the point that was brought up by Specialist Joseph Hudson when he took to the podium last night. He said that he cannot forget all of those who are still serving.
Now, remember, Fort Bliss lost nine members of the 507th in that ambush. People here say it's a very bittersweet homecoming, because they don't want to forget those who lost their lives and those who were left behind -- Anderson.
COOPER: Yes, Thelma Gutierrez, Jamie Colby, appreciate your joining us this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired April 20, 2003 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: We begin this hour with a star- spangled homecoming for seven freed prisoners of war. The soldiers got a hero's welcome at their Army bases in Texas. Then, they got some private time, much needed private time and well-deserved with their families.
We're going to get the latest right now from Thelma Gutierrez at Fort Bliss and Jamie Colby at Fort Hood.
But, Thelma, let's start with you.
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Anderson.
Well, here at Fort Bliss where yellow ribbons line the base, five can come down today. It was an amazing sight last night here on the tarmac at the Biggs Army Airfield as that C-17 touched down after a very long, nonstop flight from Germany. Hundreds waved American flags, POW-MIA flags, posters and yellow ribbons. Many had tears in their eyes as they watched that transport plane on approach.
When it landed, a memorable sight as Specialist Joseph Hudson and Patrick Miller climbed up through the cockpit, atop the plane, waved to the crowd, holding the American flag.
Now, the immediate family members of the former POWs were escorted onto a bus and taken to a plane for the reunion. The back door opened, the first one out was Joseph Hudson, who ran into the arms of his family. The others followed.
Friends who were watching said it was an overwhelming experience.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The prayers of millions of Americans were with Shoshana and the rest of them. And to know that they, you know, were found, I guess you might have seen me when I was hugging her. My body was on the ground, but my spirit was about the 10th floor. You know what I mean?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUTIERREZ: The POWs boarded a golf cart. They were paraded around the tarmac to the cheering crowd, extended family members and friends calling out their names.
Specialist Shoshana Johnson, who was shot through both ankles, waved the American and the Panamanian flags last night. Many in the crowd very happy; again, tears in their eyes.
The seven were taken to the deployment center, which is the last place, the last building that they visited before they were deployed last February.
Now, today, Easter Sunday, a very quiet, private time for these families, and then for the next two to four days, they will have a medical evaluation. And then after that, perhaps much needed rest, maybe even a medical leave before they return to their duties.
And now, we have mentioned that there were seven -- five were left here at Fort Bliss, two went on to Fort Hood. And for that part of the story, we go to our colleague, Jamie Colby, in Fort Hood -- Jamie.
JAMIE COLBY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thelma, good morning.
It must have been a reassuring sight as their plane pulled into Fort Hood right in front of the hangar where their unit, the 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, is based. They deplaned, and were greeted by the embraces of their loved ones, David Williams by his wife, Michele, a Black Hawk helicopter pilot here, and Juan Young by his parents.
Well, those hugs only lasted a few minutes, because waiting for them in the hangar: the troops and their general, who greeted them, saying that he was so proud of their service and so happy to have them home. "It is a great day in America," he said. And they were greeted with the applause of everyone there.
Chief Warrant Officers David Williams and Ron Young taking a few minutes to the podium to have a few words. They said they were happy to be home, but didn't want to forget those that had been left behind.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
C.W.O. DAVID WILLIAMS, U.S. ARMY: We must keep praying for those soldiers who are still fighting. And God bless America. I love you.
C.W.O. RONALD YOUNG, U.S. ARMY: I say a special prayer each night for our fallen comrades. The soldiers that didn't make it home, and the ones that are still over there, I want everyone to remember them in their prayers. They're truly great Americans, and there is no doubt in my mind that the 1st Cav. Division, any of you soldiers would have done the exact same thing I did when I was there. I love you all very much. I love the American people. God bless America. Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLBY: And that was only a few hours ago, the excitement overwhelming.
Today, President Bush is expected to attend an Easter service at a church on the base. That also serving as inspiration for the soldiers there; they now have two of their pilots home. Today, the president visiting them, the first time since before the war began. He was last here at the beginning of January.
And today, private time for these families on Easter Sunday, something that the ones who are here, David Williams' wife and Ron Young's parents, had wanted so bad to share with both of these soldiers. They will continue to receive medical counseling and treatment, and their families have also been briefed, not only on what to expect, but what they can do to help their adjustment home -- Anderson.
COOPER: Jamie and Thelma, a couple of questions for both of you. But, Jamie, let me start off with you.
For both David Williams and Ronald Young, how much time do they get off? I mean, is it sort of open-ended, just depending on what their needs are?
COLBY: It is absolutely open-ended, and their commanding officers have said they want them to take whatever time they need with their families, and also personal time for themselves. There is no question there's an adjustment here. And the concern obviously: Will they exhibit signs of a post-traumatic stress disorder? It can often happen when you're in captivity.
And actually, Anderson, it's interesting. Recent studies have shown that it's not the length of the captivity, but actually family history and genetics that can determine whether or not you will suffer symptoms. So it's a wait-and-see right now -- Anderson.
COOPER: And, Thelma, watching the return to Fort Bliss last night, I certainly thought the name "Fort Bliss" seemed incredibly appropriate because of all of the joy that was going on there last night. But they were very careful to point out that there are still large numbers of their personnel -- I think they said there were some 4,000 members of the 507th from Fort Bliss still in Iraq. So a lot of their thoughts were still with those still serving in-country.
GUTIERREZ: That's exactly right, Anderson. And in fact, that was the point that was brought up by Specialist Joseph Hudson when he took to the podium last night. He said that he cannot forget all of those who are still serving.
Now, remember, Fort Bliss lost nine members of the 507th in that ambush. People here say it's a very bittersweet homecoming, because they don't want to forget those who lost their lives and those who were left behind -- Anderson.
COOPER: Yes, Thelma Gutierrez, Jamie Colby, appreciate your joining us this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
