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CNN Sunday Morning
Seven Freed POWs Return to U.S.
Aired April 20, 2003 - 08:59 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: Let's begin this hour with the return of the seven freed prisoners of war that arrived in Texas last night to a hero's welcome. Thelma Gutierrez standing by at Ft. Bliss where five of the seven are stationed -- Thelma.
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Anderson.
It is a quiet Easter morning for the former POWs and their families, who will be allowed quiet and private time this morning.
Now this amazing sight last night here on the tarmac at the big Army airfield here at Ft. Bliss as that C-17 touched down after a very long flight from Germany. Hundreds were on the tarmac waving American flags, many had tears in their eyes as they watched the transport plane approach.
When it landed, it was a memorable sight. As you can see, Joseph Hudson and Patrick Miller climbed through the top of the cockpit, atop of the plane, waved to the crowd, holding the American flag.
The immediate family members of the former POWs were escorted onto a bus and taken to the plane for a reunion. The back door opened and the first one out was Joseph Hudson, who ran into the arms of his family. The others followed. Friends 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 tenth floor. You know what I mean?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUTIERREZ: The POWs then boarded a cart. They were paraded around the tarmac to a cheering crowd.
Specialist Shoshana Johnson, who was shot through both ankles, waved the American and Panamanian flags.
Now Army officials say they appear to be doing well, despite their three-week ordeal in captivity.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I just got a brief look at them and was able to talk to the medical crew from the trip over. And they all did very well on a long trip. They are in great shape. My medical teams inside are now going over them, just to screen them to make sure they're all medically safe to be with their families over the weekend. We're hoping that we don't have to admit any of them to the hospital and it looks as if they're going to be in great shape.
GUTIERREZ: And that medical evaluation should take between two and four days. It will take place at the William Beaumont Medical Center here at Ft. Bliss. After that the former POWs can look forward to some time with their families before they return to duty -- Anderson.
COOPER: Well deserved time with their families, no doubt. Thelma Gutierrez, thanks very much.
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 - 08:59 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Let's begin this hour with the return of the seven freed prisoners of war that arrived in Texas last night to a hero's welcome. Thelma Gutierrez standing by at Ft. Bliss where five of the seven are stationed -- Thelma.
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Anderson.
It is a quiet Easter morning for the former POWs and their families, who will be allowed quiet and private time this morning.
Now this amazing sight last night here on the tarmac at the big Army airfield here at Ft. Bliss as that C-17 touched down after a very long flight from Germany. Hundreds were on the tarmac waving American flags, many had tears in their eyes as they watched the transport plane approach.
When it landed, it was a memorable sight. As you can see, Joseph Hudson and Patrick Miller climbed through the top of the cockpit, atop of the plane, waved to the crowd, holding the American flag.
The immediate family members of the former POWs were escorted onto a bus and taken to the plane for a reunion. The back door opened and the first one out was Joseph Hudson, who ran into the arms of his family. The others followed. Friends 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 tenth floor. You know what I mean?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUTIERREZ: The POWs then boarded a cart. They were paraded around the tarmac to a cheering crowd.
Specialist Shoshana Johnson, who was shot through both ankles, waved the American and Panamanian flags.
Now Army officials say they appear to be doing well, despite their three-week ordeal in captivity.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I just got a brief look at them and was able to talk to the medical crew from the trip over. And they all did very well on a long trip. They are in great shape. My medical teams inside are now going over them, just to screen them to make sure they're all medically safe to be with their families over the weekend. We're hoping that we don't have to admit any of them to the hospital and it looks as if they're going to be in great shape.
GUTIERREZ: And that medical evaluation should take between two and four days. It will take place at the William Beaumont Medical Center here at Ft. Bliss. After that the former POWs can look forward to some time with their families before they return to duty -- Anderson.
COOPER: Well deserved time with their families, no doubt. Thelma Gutierrez, thanks very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
