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CNN Saturday Morning News

Seven Rescued POWs Expected in Fort Bliss, Texas

Aired April 19, 2003 - 08:25   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.


HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: We want to show you some quick pictures that we were able to capture, unfortunately while we were in a commercial break there, but just as meaningful, nonetheless. You're looking at two of the American former POWs out of the top of the C-17. I didn't realize that was a convertible aircraft, but needles to say, waving the American flag very proudly, I'm sure. Big fat smiles on their faces, getting excited to go home, indeed.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Chief Warrant Officer Ronald Young, Jr., as well as Chief Warrant Officer David Williams, two Apache helicopter pilots returning home after what has been a very long and stressful mission, to say the least, just two of the seven American former POWs returning home today. Those two heading to Fort Bliss, Texas. The other five, Fort Hood, Texas, where that C-17 will land first.

In a matter of hours, seven American soldiers who were prisoners of war in Iraq are going to make the long awaited journey home. As we've just said, they are scheduled to leave Germany any time in the next hour. Originally we were told it was going to happen nine o'clock Eastern time. We anticipated that. We're going to, of course, bring that to you live.

They head to Fort Bliss, Texas. That's where we find CNN's Thelma Gutierrez -- good morning, Thelma.

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Anderson.

Well, the celebration is scheduled to take place on the tarmac at the Biggs Army Air Field right behind me here at Fort Bliss. It'll be a big celebration because organizers have actually invited the entire community of El Paso to join in festivities.

Now, a short time ago, as you had mentioned, all seven former POWs boarded an aircraft at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany. They are expected to arrive here at Fort Bliss around 6:00 p.m. local time tonight.

They will receive a hero's welcome, complete with bands and banners and, of course, plenty of flag waving.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEAN OFFUTT, FORT BLISS SPOKESWOMAN: The casualty assistance officers, the public affairs escorts, they have all the assistance they could possibly need. Their travel is being taken care of and we are giving them a place to stay where they can be with their families when they arrive. So we think that we're making them as comfortable as possible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GUTIERREZ: Now, 30-year-old Shoshana Johnson is an Army specialist. She was a cook with the 507th. She is the only person who is actually from El Paso. She was injuring in both feet and was carried aboard the aircraft a short time ago. Her friends and family say they are very, very eager to reunite her with her 2-year-old daughter Jenelle (ph).

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THERESA ROLAND, SHOSHANA JOHNSON'S FRIEND: I'm so happy she's home. Just, I'm just so happy she's home and tell her how much, you know, that I love her and probably once I hug her, I'm not going to want to let go.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GUTIERREZ: Now, all seven former POWs are said to be in very high spirits and eager, of course, to get home. Many of the friends and family, and, as we had mentioned, even the community of El Paso, will be here on the tarmac to greet them when they arrive -- Anderson, back to you.

COOPER: And we, of course, will be there, as well, follow it all live.

Thelma Gutierrez, thanks very much -- Heidi.

COLLINS: After Fort Bliss, the next stop for two of the POWs is Fort Hood. That is the home base of the two rescued Apache helicopter pilots.

And CNN's Jamie Colby is at Fort Hood now with more on their homecoming celebrations -- you know, Jamie, I can't wait to see Ron, Sr. and Kay Young, who we've talked to many times, and their reaction on this.

JAMIE COLBY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Heidi.

Good morning.

It's been 27 days since the parents of Ron Young and the wife of David Williams and their families learned of their loved ones' capture. And now, in an estimated 12 hours, they will share those first hugs. It's the first time that the former POWs have been separated physically. But David Williams has told his wife Michele the emotional bond they've gained will last a lifetime.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COLBY (voice-over): Michele Williams now has the news she'd been praying for. MICHELE WILLIAMS, WIFE OF FORMER POW: Easter Sunday is going to be a big Sunday for us because hopefully we'll be together by then.

COLBY: And they will. When the seven former POWs appeared this morning from Landstuhl, Germany, family members said they looked well. And now word is tomorrow they'll be home.

DAVID WILLIAMS: We're looking forward to coming home as soon as we possibly can.

COLBY: That brief appearance set the wheels in motion for Michele's private welcome of her husband David.

MICHELE WILLIAMS: I think that that's what he's going to look forward to is just being able to spend family time together.

COLBY: And the chance for Colleen (ph), Texas, home to Fort Hood, where messages abound in support of the troops, a chance to give both Apache pilots based here, Williams and Ronald Young, a hero's welcome.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a blessing that they were freed by the Iraqis and that we got to them before anything else bad could have happened to them.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is amazing. It really is. It's a, it's going to be a great big deal for them.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLBY: And the focus today, obviously, celebration and family time. As you said, tomorrow the president will come for Easter service and from there the healing process continues. Michele Williams and the other families have already been visited by repatriation officers and chaplains to help them help their family and loved ones gather together and get back to life as free soldiers.

Back to you -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Jamie, you may not know the answer to this, but I'm wondering if by chance you have heard anything where you are about the president rearranging his schedule to possibly meet with the POWs, former POWs?

COLBY: Nothing's been confirmed, Heidi, but we've been told that he is doing what he can and that he'd like to have that opportunity. I'm sure the families would, as well. But even if he doesn't make time for them, spending time together is what they've been looking forward to for so long -- Heidi.

COLLINS: No question about that.

All right, Jamie Colby in Fort Hood, thanks so 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 19, 2003 - 08:25   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: We want to show you some quick pictures that we were able to capture, unfortunately while we were in a commercial break there, but just as meaningful, nonetheless. You're looking at two of the American former POWs out of the top of the C-17. I didn't realize that was a convertible aircraft, but needles to say, waving the American flag very proudly, I'm sure. Big fat smiles on their faces, getting excited to go home, indeed.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Chief Warrant Officer Ronald Young, Jr., as well as Chief Warrant Officer David Williams, two Apache helicopter pilots returning home after what has been a very long and stressful mission, to say the least, just two of the seven American former POWs returning home today. Those two heading to Fort Bliss, Texas. The other five, Fort Hood, Texas, where that C-17 will land first.

In a matter of hours, seven American soldiers who were prisoners of war in Iraq are going to make the long awaited journey home. As we've just said, they are scheduled to leave Germany any time in the next hour. Originally we were told it was going to happen nine o'clock Eastern time. We anticipated that. We're going to, of course, bring that to you live.

They head to Fort Bliss, Texas. That's where we find CNN's Thelma Gutierrez -- good morning, Thelma.

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Anderson.

Well, the celebration is scheduled to take place on the tarmac at the Biggs Army Air Field right behind me here at Fort Bliss. It'll be a big celebration because organizers have actually invited the entire community of El Paso to join in festivities.

Now, a short time ago, as you had mentioned, all seven former POWs boarded an aircraft at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany. They are expected to arrive here at Fort Bliss around 6:00 p.m. local time tonight.

They will receive a hero's welcome, complete with bands and banners and, of course, plenty of flag waving.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEAN OFFUTT, FORT BLISS SPOKESWOMAN: The casualty assistance officers, the public affairs escorts, they have all the assistance they could possibly need. Their travel is being taken care of and we are giving them a place to stay where they can be with their families when they arrive. So we think that we're making them as comfortable as possible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GUTIERREZ: Now, 30-year-old Shoshana Johnson is an Army specialist. She was a cook with the 507th. She is the only person who is actually from El Paso. She was injuring in both feet and was carried aboard the aircraft a short time ago. Her friends and family say they are very, very eager to reunite her with her 2-year-old daughter Jenelle (ph).

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THERESA ROLAND, SHOSHANA JOHNSON'S FRIEND: I'm so happy she's home. Just, I'm just so happy she's home and tell her how much, you know, that I love her and probably once I hug her, I'm not going to want to let go.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GUTIERREZ: Now, all seven former POWs are said to be in very high spirits and eager, of course, to get home. Many of the friends and family, and, as we had mentioned, even the community of El Paso, will be here on the tarmac to greet them when they arrive -- Anderson, back to you.

COOPER: And we, of course, will be there, as well, follow it all live.

Thelma Gutierrez, thanks very much -- Heidi.

COLLINS: After Fort Bliss, the next stop for two of the POWs is Fort Hood. That is the home base of the two rescued Apache helicopter pilots.

And CNN's Jamie Colby is at Fort Hood now with more on their homecoming celebrations -- you know, Jamie, I can't wait to see Ron, Sr. and Kay Young, who we've talked to many times, and their reaction on this.

JAMIE COLBY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Heidi.

Good morning.

It's been 27 days since the parents of Ron Young and the wife of David Williams and their families learned of their loved ones' capture. And now, in an estimated 12 hours, they will share those first hugs. It's the first time that the former POWs have been separated physically. But David Williams has told his wife Michele the emotional bond they've gained will last a lifetime.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COLBY (voice-over): Michele Williams now has the news she'd been praying for. MICHELE WILLIAMS, WIFE OF FORMER POW: Easter Sunday is going to be a big Sunday for us because hopefully we'll be together by then.

COLBY: And they will. When the seven former POWs appeared this morning from Landstuhl, Germany, family members said they looked well. And now word is tomorrow they'll be home.

DAVID WILLIAMS: We're looking forward to coming home as soon as we possibly can.

COLBY: That brief appearance set the wheels in motion for Michele's private welcome of her husband David.

MICHELE WILLIAMS: I think that that's what he's going to look forward to is just being able to spend family time together.

COLBY: And the chance for Colleen (ph), Texas, home to Fort Hood, where messages abound in support of the troops, a chance to give both Apache pilots based here, Williams and Ronald Young, a hero's welcome.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a blessing that they were freed by the Iraqis and that we got to them before anything else bad could have happened to them.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is amazing. It really is. It's a, it's going to be a great big deal for them.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLBY: And the focus today, obviously, celebration and family time. As you said, tomorrow the president will come for Easter service and from there the healing process continues. Michele Williams and the other families have already been visited by repatriation officers and chaplains to help them help their family and loved ones gather together and get back to life as free soldiers.

Back to you -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Jamie, you may not know the answer to this, but I'm wondering if by chance you have heard anything where you are about the president rearranging his schedule to possibly meet with the POWs, former POWs?

COLBY: Nothing's been confirmed, Heidi, but we've been told that he is doing what he can and that he'd like to have that opportunity. I'm sure the families would, as well. But even if he doesn't make time for them, spending time together is what they've been looking forward to for so long -- Heidi.

COLLINS: No question about that.

All right, Jamie Colby in Fort Hood, thanks so 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