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CNN Saturday Morning News

Whidbey Island Naval Air Station Prepares Celebration for Crew

Aired April 14, 2001 - 09:34   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: And as we've been saying, a huge welcome-home ceremony is being readied for the crew of that Navy surveillance plane. The two dozen service men and women will be flying from Hawaii into Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in Washington around 4:00 p.m. local time.

And that's where we've stationed CNN national correspondent Mike Boettcher. Hi, Mike.

MIKE BOETTCHER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kyra, good morning.

Well, Navy officials say this is really a welcome home, not so much a heroes' welcome, because they believe the crew wouldn't want to be put on a pedestal, that they felt that they were just doing their jobs. But call it whatever you will, preparations have been under way since that plane with the 24 crewmen lifted off from Hainan Island in China a couple of days ago.

And the preparations have been intense. They're expecting 10,000 people here. They've got seating for several hundred. There'll be overflow going out of this hanger No. 6 at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. There are thousands of red, white, and blue balloons. A red carpet is running down the middle to a podium where dignitaries will speak, and perhaps some of the crew will speak. They'll be seated in front.

The big event should be when the crew members see their families for the first time since this incident.

Now, several Navy officials have met with the families, including Chaplain John Conroe (ph), and they advised the families when this is over, when the hoopla is over, that they should try to return to a normal routine as soon as possible.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, it's a great time for them to share, and we also shared with them some information particular to the first hours that -- after they're reunited with their spouse, things to do and things to avoid during the first few weeks.

BOETTCHER: For example? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For example, you know, one of the things is to treat them like everything's OK. They're back home, and life continues.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOETTCHER: Now, they'll have a 30-day convalescence leave after this ceremony is over. They can go wherever they want. But we're told that some of the crew want to start flying immediately, especially the pilot, Lieutenant Shane Osborn, who landed that plane against all odds on Hainan Island.

We're told, though, that the Navy wants them to rest and wants to make sure they're mentally ready to fly again, so they want them to relax awhile -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Not bad advice. Mike Boettcher, thanks so much.

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