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CNN Saturday Morning News

Soldiers Reunited With Loved Ones

Aired December 25, 2004 - 08:00   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.


TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: The next hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING begins right now. From the CNN Center, welcome to the special Christmas edition of CNN. Merry Christmas everyone. I'm Tony Harris.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Betty Nguyen. Thank you much for being with us on this Christmas morning. This hour we are focusing on military family reunions.

HARRIS: Many of our guests are troops who were injured or provided aid in Tuesday's attack on Mosul. Before we get started, let's get a check of the top stories this hour.

NGUYEN: Thousands of supporters of Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich rallied in Kiev ahead of tomorrow's second presidential runoff. Ukraine supreme court nullified results of last month's runoff because of massive vote fraud. Most polls show challenger Viktor Yushchenko as the front-runner.

In Bethlehem, a steady rain did not keep several thousand pilgrims from celebrating Christmas Eve. Christian worshipers made their way to Manger Square across from the church of the Nativity. The gathering in Bethlehem was larger than in recent years, but still far below the tens of thousands who came in the '90s.

Thousands of pilgrims packed St. Peter's Square in Vatican City as Pope John Paul ushers the Christmas holiday. Midnight mass was televised to a record 73 countries. Today the pope offers his holiday blessing and greetings in dozens of languages from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

Well, our next Christmas reunion involves Staff Sergeant Rick Lopez. Tony.

HARRIS: He was also in Mosul during the suicide bombing attack. His wife Julia is also back home at Fort Lewis in Washington. It's been an early celebration for U.S. Army reserve commander and his family for the first time at Christmas. He is several thousand miles away in Iraq. Let's see if we can make that connection. Well, how are you? Good morning, sir.

SGT. RICK LOPEZ: Good morning.

HARRIS: First of all, let me ask you to sort of reflect for us if you would on the events of Tuesday. First of all, how are you and how are your spirits?

LOPEZ: My spirits are high. I'm doing fine, recovering really well.

HARRIS: Take us through, if you wouldn't mind, share with us as much as you feel comfortable in sharing with us on this Christmas day, the events of Tuesday. What it was like in those moments before the bomb went off and give us a bit of the scene afterwards. We know it was a little bit chaotic, but we also know that there was a lot of bravery on display as well.

LOPEZ: Yeah, there was a lot. It was scary. I hope that nobody else has to go through something that we all went through that day.

HARRIS: Are you healing OK? Were you injured at all?

LOPEZ: Yes, I was, sir.

HARRIS: Can you tell us anything about your wounds or is that something you would rather keep to yourself?

LOPEZ: No, I don't mind. I got a shrapnel wound to the left leg and shrapnel through my left arm and fractured my left arm.

HARRIS: You know what, Staff Sergeant Lopez, we are going to bring your wife Julia in, Julia, are you there?

JULIA LOPEZ: Yeah, I'm here.

HARRIS: Oh my goodness the entire family is there, Julia, who is there, walk us through that. Who is there with you?

JULIA LOPEZ: This is Alisa.

ALISA LOPEZ: Hi, daddy.

J. LOPEZ: Amanda.

R. LOPEZ: Hi honey.

J. LOPEZ: Hi Honey. Rick's mom and Rick's dad.

HARRIS: OK, now Rick, let me just say this to you. There's going to be a bit of a delay in you hearing what your family is saying, so just understand that and it will be fine. First of all, Julie, there he is, you can see him. What are your thoughts? What do you want to say to him?

J. LOPEZ: He looks awesome. He looks really good, better than I was hoping.

HARRIS: Rick, talk to your family.

J. LOPEZ: I love you honey.

R. LOPEZ: I love you too, honey. I miss you guys.

HARRIS: Rick, give me a sense of what it's like to see your family. How long have you been gone, and this moment for you when you get an opportunity to see so many of your family there and children there, I know it's difficult for you to be so far away from home, but, I don't know, what are you feeling?

R. LOPEZ: I miss them a lot. Wish I could be there with them, but, you know this is what I've got to do. So -- it's hard.

HARRIS: Julie, what would you like to say? How long has it been since you last communicated with one another? Do you get an opportunity to e-mail. Do you videoconference? How do you guys stay in touch and when is the last time you had some words with one another?

J. HARRIS: We're able to talk on the phone several times a week. We try to get on the computer at least once a week with a web cam so we can see each other. We spoke a couple days ago when he called to inform me about this, so I am one of the lucky ones that gets to talk to him quite often.

HARRIS: Anything the kids want to say? Anything anyone else wants to say directly to Rick?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As his mother, I'd like to say it's really good to see him, really good to see him. I feel much better now than I did yesterday or the day before. I miss you son, waiting for you to come home. We love you.

R. LOPEZ: I miss you too mom. I love you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I know you do. I know you do. I know.

HARRIS: Mom, that's your baby boy there. He is a long way from home. I know it's difficult for you, but how proud of him are you?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Extremely proud. Extremely proud.

HARRIS: What kind of a boy was he as a young boy was he, and as you see him sitting in front of you now all grown up, out in harm's way protecting this country, what are your thoughts?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I'm really proud of him. Growing up, he was mischievous at times, but always a lot of fun, always a lot of fun to be around. And, you know, he's sitting there, and I've got his little boy here, so we have a good relationship.

HARRIS: Staff Sergeant Rick Lopez, you get the final word this morning to wish your family a Merry Christmas and say what is on your heart.

R. LOPEZ: I love you guys, I hope you guys Christmas is really good even though I'm not there. I hope everybody has a good and fun day and tell everybody I said hi and that I'm all right.

HARRIS: Staff Sergeant Rick Lopez and Julie at home with the family. Merry Christmas to all of you. Merry Christmas and we certainly hope that you are all together as a family very soon.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you. Merry Christmas to you, too. NGUYEN: So wonderful to see those families there, able to speak with their loved ones, Tony, so far away on Christmas day.

HARRIS: Did you see Rick tearing up, tough guy.

NGUYEN: It was making me tear up. Kids get up in the morning, adults get up in the morning excited about presents but that has got to be one of the best presents of the day.

HARRIS: That's, in the final analysis, that's what you want, you want to be with your family on Christmas day. He's so far away from home and if you can't be there in person with one another, it's nice to give them that moment where they can share and have words and kind words and share some memories. This is a different kind of a memory.

NGUYEN: Absolutely. Sometimes people will say things that they normally wouldn't say on an every day basis in a time like this. And you get to, really get to the heart of the matter and people express their feelings and their love for one another. So I guess that's the true meaning of Christmas.

HARRIS: And think about what Staff Sergeant Lopez has been through over the last week, never mind the length of his tour, but just over the last week when a suicide bomber walks into the tent. Everyone is in a relaxed a setting as you can be under these circumstances. You're having lunch with your comrades and the next thing you know, there's a bomb that goes off in your midst and now literally all hell is breaking lose, as he told us, he suffered some injuries, but he's doing well, some shrapnel wounds, but to get an opportunity to talk to his family on Christmas day, regardless of where you are and your circumstances, you know it's special.

NGUYEN: And it brightens the day and we have many more of those reunions that we are going to bring to you today. In fact, for many military families, this Christmas holiday is a difficult one, especially those who have loved ones serving in Iraq. So this morning we are going to try and bring some separated families together with the help of technology. Sergeant Michael Turner was one of the many soldiers eating in that mess hall that Tony and I have been speaking of in Mosul during Tuesday's devastating bombing and despite being wounded in the attack, he treated other casualties until he finally collapsed. Now his wife Geraldine is at home in Fort Lewis, Washington. There she is. Good morning Geraldine. We're going to bring them two together and oh, I can see the emotion on Geraldine's face. Let me step out of this and Geraldine, why don't you talk to your husband?

GERALDINE TURNER: Honey, how are you?

SGT. MICHAEL TURNER: I'm fine.

NGUYEN: What's it like seeing him today, Geraldine?

G. TURNER: I'm so happy that he's OK. I was really, really worried when he called me, but now that I can see him, I'm really, really happy. NGUYEN: Sergeant Michael Turner, tell us a little bit about what happened on Tuesday. You did just a tremendous deed in helping others during this desperate time when I imagine a lot of chaos was going on, you didn't know what had just happened. All the pieces weren't being put together. Kind of tell us what you had been through this past week.

M. TURNER: Well, I just sat down at the mess hall at a table and that's when the blast happened, and after that, it just -- the training took place. I assessed myself and looked around the area and started assessing the situation and immediately helping evacuate the soldiers, casualties and performing buddy (ph) and first aid to people I can do that to and my focus was to get the people out of the area as soon as possible, if we got hit, again, to get as many people out. That was my focus.

NGUYEN: Geraldine, as you hear that, hear what your husband has been through, what he has done, tell us what you are thinking right now.

G. TURNER: I am so proud of him and I am so happy that he was able to help a lot of people over there. And I'm really, really proud of him.

NGUYEN: How does he look to you today? It's Christmas?

G. TURNER: It's mixed emotions, but I'm so happy that he's OK and that's all that matters.

NGUYEN: Do you have a monitor there? Can you see him from where you, Geraldine?

G. TURNER: Yeah.

NGUYEN: How does he look? Does he look the same as when he left?

G. TURNER: He's still as gorgeous as he is.

NGUYEN: Sergeant Michael Turner, what's the first thing you are going to do when you get home?

M. TURNER: Probably take a nice hot shower.

NGUYEN: Maybe give your wife a big hug and a kiss? OK.

M. TURNER: Yes, I'll do that, too.

NGUYEN: Good. Before we run out of time, I'm going to give you both each a chance just to say one last thing to each other on this special morning. Let's start with you Geraldine.

G. TURNER: Honey, you take care of yourself and I'm praying for you all the time and keep safe and come back home safely. I love you.

M. TURNER: I want to say have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year, and I'll see you when I get home. NGUYEN: Well, best wishes to you both and a Merry Christmas to you both. Sergeant Michael Turner in Iraq and his wife Geraldine at home in Fort Louis, Washington. Thank you for being with us.

G. TURNER: Thank you.

HARRIS: Our next Christmas reunion involves a soldier many consider a true hero, Sergeant Edward Montoya, was also in Mosul during last week's bombing. As a medic he responded to the most severely injured and in doing so saved many lives that day. His family say God intervened that day to save the sergeant's life and you'll hear why they believe that. It's an incredible story. They join us on the phone from San Bernardino, California with his incredible story. Margaret, are you there?

MARGARET MONTOYA: Yes, I am.

HARRIS: Margaret, good morning.

M. MONTOYA: Good morning.

HARRIS: How early is it out there?

M. MONTOYA: It's fine. It's cold, but we're OK.

HARRIS: Is it about 5:00 in the morning out there?

M. MONTOYA: Uh-huh, 5:20.

HARRIS: Well, you have talked to your husband since Tuesday, is that correct?

M. MONTOYA: Yes, I have.

HARRIS: So you know the story, don't you?

M. MONTOYA: Yes, I do.

HARRIS: Tell us the story of your husband in that mess tent on Tuesday morning, because it is absolutely unbelievable and tell us why you believe God had a hand in it.

M. MONTOYA: Well, he was getting up to get himself a piece of dessert which he never really does and that's when the bomb hit. He said the first thing that ran through his mind was he had to get up and help his soldiers get out of there.

HARRIS: You're right. He doesn't normally eat dessert, does he?

M. MONTOYA: No, he doesn't.

HARRIS: But he gets up to get himself a piece of cake, something he doesn't normally do and at that moment the bomb goes off?

M. MONTOYA: Yes. HARRIS: Well, we're going to bring him on the line, have him join you. Sergeant Edward Montoya, are you there? There you are. Can you hear us?

SGT. EDWARD MONTOYA: Yes sir.

HARRIS: Well, good morning to you.

E. MONTOYA: Good morning.

HARRIS: I got to tell you something, we have got a lot of Montoyas on the line who want to talk to you this morning. We've got your wife Margaret and we've got your daughter, Destiny. We've got your mom, Melody and your dad, Edward. We're going to start with Margaret. Margaret, say hello to your husband.

M. MONTOYA: Hi Eddie.

E. MONTOYA: Hi honey. How are you doing?

M. MONTOYA: I'm fine, how are you?

E. MONTOYA: Good. Merry Christmas.

M. MONTOYA: Merry Christmas.

E. MONTOYA: How's everything going?

M. MONTOYA: OK. We're doing fine.

E. MONTOYA: Good. I'll be home soon.

M. MONTOYA: I hope so. Be safe.

E. MONTOYA: You know I will.

HARRIS: So, Edward, let me ask you, take us back, if you would, share with us as much as you care to, about last Tuesday and this incredible story of the man who doesn't normally eat dessert who decides OK, on this day, I'm going to go have myself a piece of cake and it is probably the decision that saved your life.

E. MONTOYA: Yes, sir. I was sitting next to a good few of my buddies who were hit, my commanding officer who was also hit and killed, Captain Jacobson, and for some reason I decided to have some dessert, some cheesecake. Like my wife said, I never have dessert. I don't know. I just felt like having it that day. I was about 10 meters, seven to 10 meters away from the blast. And it's unexplainable. It's hard to say how anything like that was, the flash was so big, the noise was so big.

HARRIS: So there was a part of you that feels incredibly blessed to be alive and you must feel incredibly sad to know that you lost friends, colleagues, comrades, brothers in arms?

E. MONTOYA: Yes, I lost a couple of really good friends, one who I just went on leave with right before I got out here to Iraq, specialist Castro. He was a real good friend of mine, and, yeah, I can say I was blessed that day.

HARRIS: Margaret, if you would, put mom on the phone, can we hear from mom? Melody, OK. We're going to get an opportunity to hear from your mom here.

MELODY MONTOYA: Hello.

HARRIS: There she is. Mom.

MELODY MONTOYA: Hi.

HARRIS: How are you?

MELODY MONTOYA: I'm fine, how are you?

HARRIS: Your son is the line, you want to talk to him? Take some time. Have a little conversation with him.

MELODY MONTOYA: OK, thank you. Hi, honey.

E. MONTOYA: Hi mom.

MELODY MONTOYA: How are you?

E. MONTOYA: I'm doing good, how are you guys?

MELODY MONTOYA: We're doing OK. It's good to hear your voice.

E. MONTOYA: Good, Merry Christmas.

MELODY MONTOYA: Merry Christmas, honey. Well, how's everything going?

E. MONTOYA: I will be home soon.

MELODY MONTOYA: I know, I heard. I think that's great.

E. MONTOYA: But things aren't going too bad here. We're moving on the best we know how. That's what needs to be done.

MELODY MONTOYA: Yeah, how do you feel, though, your head.

E. MONTOYA: Better. I'm getting better, yeah, getting better.

MELODY MONTOYA: I'm glad honey.

E. MONTOYA: I'm starting to sleep at night, again.

MELODY MONTOYA: Good. I sure miss you.

E. MONTOYA: Well, I miss you guys, too.

HARRIS: Hey mom, before we run out of time, is dad close by?

MELODY MONTOYA: Yeah, hang on one second. I love you Eddie.

E. MONTOYA: I love you too.

E. MONTOYA SR.: Hello?

E. MONTOYA: Hey.

E. MONTOYA SR.: Hey, Eddie, how things going?

E. MONTOYA: Hey, what's going on?

E. MONTOYA SR.: Oh, nothing, just cold and dirty.

E. MONTOYA: Well, it's almost bedtime over here.

E. MONTOYA SR.: Yeah, what time is it over there right now?

E. MONTOYA: Yeah, I don't know, I guess I'd say probably about 4:30 in the evening.

E. MONTOYA SR.: OK. Merry Christmas, Eddie.

E. MONTOYA: Merry Christmas to you. Tell everybody I said Merry Christmas.

E. MONTOYA SR.: OK, you have Destiny and Eddie is here too. The kids want to talk to you.

HARRIS: Let's put them on the phone as quickly as we can, before we lose our time. That would be great.

E. MONTOYA SR.: Eddie, you hang in there, I love you. You take care of yourself.

E. MONTOYA: I love you too.

E. MONTOYA SR.: OK, bye.

DESTINY MONTOYA: Hi, daddy.

E. MONTOYA: Hey, honey bear. Hello.

DESTINY MONTOYA: Hi, daddy.

E. MONTOYA: How are you?

DESTINY MONTOYA: Fine.

E. MONTOYA: Good, Merry Christmas.

DESTINY MONTOYA: Merry Christmas.

E. MONTOYA: What did Santa Claus get you?

DESTINY MONTOYA: He got me a bat cat (ph).

E. MONTOYA: Did he?

DESTINY MONTOYA: And a brat (ph) pillow.

E. MONTOYA: Good. That's what I told him that you wanted.

DESTINY MONTOYA: How did you know?

E. MONTOYA: Because daddy knows everything, if you remember that, huh? Let me talk to your brother really quick, baby.

DESTINY MONTOYA: OK, bye. Love you.

E. MONTOYA: Bye, love you.

DESTINY MONTOYA: Bye. I love you.

EDDIE MONTOYA: Hi, daddy.

E. MONTOYA: Hey little man, how you doing?

EDDIE MONTOYA: Merry Christmas.

E. MONTOYA: Merry Christmas to you, bud. Did Santa Claus get you everything you wanted?

EDDIE MONTOYA: Yeah, I got a big sweeper (ph) and a little sweeper, and four tires. And a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) blanket and a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) pillow.

E. MONTOYA: That's good, son, all right, buddy, hey, daddy loves you.

EDDIE MONTOYA: Love you, OK.

HARRIS: Sergeant.

E. MONTOYA: I'll be home soon. Yes sir.

HARRIS: Sergeant, you have a wonderful family, a wonderful family.

E. MONTOYA: Thank you.

HARRIS: It has been absolutely great to spend time with you this Christmas day. You really sort of bring it home for us all. Thank you. Stay safe.

E. MONTOYA: Thank you.

HARRIS: And get home as soon as you can to that beautiful family of yours.

E. MONTOYA: Thank you. I appreciate that.

HARRIS: Take care.

NGUYEN: Very sweet family. We feel very blessed to be a part of this, just to hear them.

HARRIS: Eavesdrop a little bit. You almost want to jump off the line.

NGUYEN: Give them a little privacy. But we have many more of these reunions to bring to you this morning, so stay tuned to CNN SATURDAY MORNING on this Christmas.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Welcome back. Sgt. First Class Truhong Phan is a medical NCO who immediately took charge of overall medical assistance with the victims of Tuesday's bombing near Mosul. Marly Phan, the sergeant's wife is at Fort Lewis, Washington. There is Truhong Phan right there. And his beautiful family. I take it that's it's wife, his baby girl and his either mother or mother in law. Marly can you hear us? Hi there. Do you have anything to say to your husband today as you see him on this Christmas?

MARLY PHAN: Oh, yeah, it's just nice to talk to him. I'm so excited when I know that I have a chance to talk to him today. And I am so happy to hear from him.

NGUYEN: Is that his mother or mother-in-law sitting next to you?

M. PHAN: This is my mother-in-law. This is my husband's mom.

NGUYEN: Wonderful. Anything she wants to say to her son today?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

NGUYEN: Sergeant First Class Truhong Phan this is your family speaking to you on such a holiday, anything you want to tell them?

SGT. TRUHONG PHAN, U.S. ARMY: I just want to let them know that I do miss them and I wish I was home to spend this holiday season with them. And Merry Christmas, and I hope they got everything they wanted for Christmas.

NGUYEN: I think you are bringing them everything that they want just by being able to see and speak with you today. Can you tell us a little bit about what you have been through this week. We understand that you were in charge of the overall medical assistance for the victims in Tuesday's bombing. What's this week been like for you? Tell your family what you've been through.

T. PHAN: Well, this whole week has been a little hectic. We've been trying to gather up all of our patient information, all the casualty information and it was hectic with us trying to track all the patients are, how they are doing at Landstuhl, Germany.

NGUYEN: You've been in the army for 16 years. Have you experienced anything like what you saw this week?

T. PHAN: No, ma'am. We have not. We've had a lot of traumas up here, but not to the extent of that down there.

NGUYEN: Is this your first Christmas away from home, away from your wife?

T. PHAN: Yes, ma'am.

NGUYEN: What is it like to be able to speak with her today. Go ahead and have a conversation with her.

T. PHAN: Hi (UNINTELLIGIBLE), how are you?

M. PHAN: I'm fine, we're OK here. I'm just so happy to hear your voice every day.

T. PHAN: Hi auntie, how's my little angel?

M. PHAN: She's good. She misses you, she kisses your picture beside the bed every day and before she goes to bed.

T. PHAN: That's great. That's my little baby. Is that her?

M. PHAN: Yes. She -- it's her.

T. PHAN: Is she teething, yet?

M. PHAN: Oh, no, no teeth, yet.

T. PHAN: Oh, wow. I'm sure it will come soon.

M. PHAN: She's so talkative, though.

T. PHAN: That's great. I miss you guys so much.

M. PHAN: I miss you so much, honey. Be careful all the times.

T. PHAN: I will always. Can't wait to be home to be with you guys.

M. PHAN: Yeah, we're here, we're waiting for you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have to.

M. PHAN: Waiting for you and pray for you everyday.

T. PHAN: Thank you. I really need it. Every one needs it over here, all the soldiers.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And say hi to everybody, uncle (UNINTELLIGIBLE) they worry for you. Say hi.

T. PHAN: OK. So I guess I have to listen to my mom, listen to what she said and she wanted me to say hi to all my relatives and my brothers and sisters and my uncles and aunties up at Michigan so I want to say, hi, Merry Christmas to them.

NGUYEN: It's always very smart to listen to mom. Now, I don't know Truhong if you can see your family sitting here, you may only be able to hear them. But your daughter is so precious. She has got cutest little ponytails in her hair and camouflage pants. Marly, did you dress her in those camouflage for a reason?

M. PHAN: This shirt is from her dad for Christmas, so, yeah, I decided to dress her up, because this is her present from her dad.

NGUYEN: What a cutie pie there. How much has she grown do you think since he last saw her?

M. PHAN: Oh, a big change, because it's been almost four months, so it's a big change, a lot of things that daddy missed. She started walking already. And when her daddy left, she was just starting crawling.

NGUYEN: Well, we are almost out of time, and she's getting a little feisty this morning. As we run out of time, let's just give you one more moment to say some last words on this Christmas. Let's start with you Marly.

M. PHAN: I would like to, I would like to thank to everybody my friends, my co-workers, my family for the prayers and I just want to say Merry Christmas to my husband. We are here. We're praying for you. And please just always be careful. That's all.

NGUYEN: Sergeant Phan?

T. PHAN: Yes, ma'am?

NGUYEN: Anything you want to say to your family before we run out of time?

T. PHAN: Yes, ma'am, I'd like to tell that I do miss them. And I love them with all my heart. And I hope to be home soon. I also would like to take this opportunity to give -- send my condolences out to our -- the families of fallen comrades out there.

NGUYEN: All right, Sergeant First Class Truhong Phan and his wife Marly Phan, with her little girl, and his mother there in Fort Lewis, Washington. We thank you and merry Christmas to you all -- Tony?

HARRIS: Captain Dwayne Limpert's parents, Dwayne and Cathy Limpert, are in Cleveland, Ohio. We'll be joined by Captain Limpert in just a couple of minutes.

But let's first go to Cathy and Dwayne in Cleveland. And good morning to both of you. Can you hear us okay in Cleveland, Ohio?

DWAYNE LIMPERT, SR.: Yes, we can.

CATHY LIMPERT: We can hear you fine.

HARRIS: Well, how excited are you to get an opportunity to talk to your son?

C. LIMPERT: Real excited.

D. LIMPERT, SR.: Real excited. There is a Santa Claus. He had an opportunity to call us a while back. And he asked his mother what she wanted for Christmas. And she said I want to see you around Christmas. And that's what we're going to have right now.

HARRIS: That's what we're going to have. That is what we're going to have. I actually spent some time in Cleveland. What side of town are you on? East, west or where are you?

D. LIMPERT, SR.: West side. North Olmstead.

HARRIS: North Olmstead. OK, I know that area well. At least you're far enough from the lake that you're not getting that lake effect snow, right?

D. LIMPERT, SR.: Oh, but we've got snow. We've got more snow than we did that first Christmas he was at Westpoint.

HARRIS: Oh, you know what? You know what? He will love to hear that. Captain Limpert, are you there? Dwayne, are you there?

CAPT. LIMPERT: Yes, can you hear me?

HARRIS: Well, good morning to you, sir. It is good to visit with you on Christmas Day. Say hello to your parents. They're there waiting to have a little conversation with you.

D. LIMPERT, JR.: Yes. Hi mom, hi dad. I thought I heard my grandpa there.

C. LIMPERT: No, no.

D. LIMPERT, SR.: No, your grandpa's not, but he's watching. He's watching and so are your brothers, and your Aunt Jennifer. And all of them are here with us. They can't be on camera, but they're here.

C. LIMPERT: We've got the world watching.

D. LIMPERT, SR.: Brad, Trace, Vicky, the whole group.

D. LIMPERT, JR.: It's good to see you, mom, and dad.

D. LIMPERT, SR.: Even better to be seeing you.

C. LIMPERT: Yes, did you send a box to the house?

D. LIMPERT, JR.: For Christmas.

C. LIMPERT: For Christmas?

D. LIMPERT, JR.: Yes, I did.

C. LIMPERT: Well, can I open it?

D. LIMPERT, SR.: We figured that, why not spend Christmas together and open our Christmas present from you?

C. LIMPERT: OK?

D. LIMPERT, JR.: Yes, I told you to open it. Yes, this morning, open it up.

D. LIMPERT, SR.: Well, that's what we're doing.

C. LIMPERT: Is that what it is?

D. LIMPERT, SR.: Oh, wow, a digital camera. Now we can go and take some pictures and send them to you on the Internet.

D. LIMPERT, JR.: There you go.

D. LIMPERT, SR.: Fantastic. Thank you very much.

C. LIMPERT: Thank you. My love.

D. LIMPERT, JR.: I love you guys.

D. LIMPERT, SR.: We love you, too. How's it going for you over there?

D. LIMPERT, JR.: Yes, it's going pretty well. It was a little tough coming back into Mosul with the incident, but things are starting to get back to normal. And (UNINTELLIGIBLE) continues to do really good stuff. So you know, we're keeping it positive.

D. LIMPERT, SR.: Very good. Well, you're in everybody's prayers here. A lot of people want to know how you were. And everybody we know in town when we see them, "How's Dwayne, how's Dwayne?" So I'm so glad you're doing well.

C. LIMPERT: And did you get a chance to see Rumsfeld?

D. LIMPERT, JR.: Yes, I did. Actually -- I actually asked him a question and got a picture with him. So it was pretty good.

C. LIMPERT: Oh, that made you happy.

D. LIMPERT, SR.: Fantastic. Well, we know you're doing really important work over there. And we're thinking of you every day. It's just so great.

It's beautiful here. We came over and the sun wasn't up yet. There was a beautiful sunrise where the pink -- the sky was all pink and blue as the sun was coming up. And the trees are all covered with snow. It looks like a Christmas card outside.

D. LIMPERT, JR.: Well, it's not exactly snowing here, but today has been a pretty good day. We had a pretty nice dinner...

C. LIMPERT: Good.

D. LIMPERT, SR.: ...or lunch, anyway. And looking forward to a good dinner with some holiday spirit.

HARRIS: Well, let me have you, before we lose the satellite time with you. Let me have you -- parents, first, final thoughts for your son?

D. LIMPERT, SR.: You just take care of yourself. And we know you're making the world a better place by being there. And we feel very privileged to be able to see you. And we're thinking of all the other soldiers that are with you, the guys and the gals, and how lucky we are to be the parents that can go and see you.

And to all of your fellow soldiers and their families that are out there, we represent them. And we know they'd rather be us at this very moment getting to see their child. So merry Christmas.

HARRIS: And Cathy, very quickly.

C. LIMPERT: Yes, just take care of yourself.

D. LIMPERT, JR.: Real quick.

C. LIMPERT: Yes?

D. LIMPERT, JR.: Real quick, I just want to say I love you guys. And to thank all the families out there, especially friends of mine who have sent cards and packages, and people that I don't know that have sent them out to the soldiers. It feels like Christmas every day with people sending all the letters over to our soldiers. So thanks to everybody and merry Christmas. Love you guys.

HARRIS: And Captain Limpert, thank you. Thank you very much. And to your family in Cleveland, North Olmstead, thank you very much for sharing this time with us this Christmas. Thank you.

D. LIMPERT, JR.: Great.

C. LIMPERT: Thank you.

NGUYEN: These are so special. And we want to keep them going. So Captain Jeff Allerding is a brigade nurse who cared for victims of the Mosul attack, right where it happened. As he is getting miked up right now, we want to turn to his wife, Jennifer, who is with us from Seattle, Washington.

Good morning to you.

JENNIFER JUNNILA, WIFE OF CAPT. ALLERDING: Good morning.

NGUYEN: How excited are you to be able to speak with your husband today?

JUNNILA: I'm thrilled. I haven't seen Jeff since early October when he left for Mosul. And I'm really happy to have this opportunity.

NGUYEN: What do you want to say to him once we get him on the line?

JUNNILA: I want him to know how proud I am of him. And I'm sorry we can't spend Christmas together, but he'll be here next year.

NGUYEN: Boy, what a day it has been. What has it been like for you, though, for these past few months since you've been apart?

JUNNILA: It's been pretty lonely at the house, pretty quiet, but I've got so many wonderful family and friends that are checking on me, and checking on him. And I know that we have the prayers of our military community with us. And I feel very supported while he's been gone.

NGUYEN: Well, guess what? We have your husband on right now with us. There he is live.

Captain Allerding, good morning to you.

ALLERDING: Good morning, ma'am.

NGUYEN: You know what? We have limited time, so I'm going to let you just speak with your wife. So go for it.

JUNNILA: I love you baby.

ALLERDING: Thank you. Good morning love, how are you?

JUNNILA: I'm great. Now it's so good to see you. You look wonderful.

ALLERDING: Thank you. What are you going to do today?

JUNNILA: Open up all my packages from Santa and think about you. And we've all been just worried about you and praying for your safety. And I'm just so glad to know that you're OK.

ALLERDING: Thank you.

JUNNILA: Your family's watching in Ohio. I told them all to turn on the TV, even though the power's out there, we're going to find a TV somewhere to watch you. So just so you know, everybody in Ohio and everybody in Seattle's watching you.

ALLERDING: Great. Everyone in the family as well?

JUNNILA: Of course. Thank you very much -- yes -- for everything that you do. I really appreciate you reminding me how many things I have to be thankful for, even though we're not here together this Christmas.

ALLERDING: Many thanks for me and all the soldiers back here for all the gift packages, letters. We've been very well taken care of.

JUNNILA: You look great, honey. I'm so glad to see you. I know you had...

ALLERDING: Do you have plans for today that I'm not aware of?

JUNNILA: Not that I know of. I'm going to have to have -- answer a bunch of phone calls of people that saw you on TV. Thank you for the job that you do.

ALLERDING: Well, enjoy the day, baby.

JUNNILA: Thank you for the job you do.

ALLERDING: Thank you.

JUNNILA: I know it was a rough week for you guys over there. And my prayers and condolences go out to all those military family members that don't have a soldier to say hello to today.

NGUYEN: Captain Allerding...

ALLERDING: I couldn't say it any better, hon.

NGUYEN: ...we are almost out of time for this particular reunion. So I want to give you the floor now. Just a few words for your wife before we have to go?

ALLERDING: Hon, I miss you and love you very much. I'll look forward to our many Christmases together in the future. My condolences to all the families that were -- that lost service members this week. It's a tough week for everyone. Know that they were well taken care of and with friends in their time of need. Thank you.

JUNNILA: Thank you, honey.

NGUYEN: Captain Allerding and his wife, Jennifer. We appreciate you both for sharing this special moment with us. Thank you.

JUNNILA: Love you, honey.

ALLERDING: Thank you. Good bye, hon. Love you.

HARRIS: It's good stuff. Another reunion for military family on this Christmas morning. Master Sergeant Jeff Sweezer helped evacuate wounded troops right after that attack on the U.S. military mess tent in Mosul, Iraq. He joins us from Mosul. And his wife, Jeanne, is also with us. She's at Fort Lewis in Washington.

Jeanne, let's talk to you first. Hey, Jeanne, how are you?

JEANNE SWEEZER, WIFE: I'm fine, how are you?

HARRIS: Oh, we're great. We're loving these reunions. Have you had an opportunity to see a couple of them before this one with you and your husband?

JEANNE SWEEZER: I'm sorry. I didn't hear you?

HARRIS: Well, we're loving the reunions. Tell us about your husband. Tell us the kind of man he is, the kind of soldier he is? JEANNE SWEEZER: He's a brave soldier. He is -- he's wonderful. He's a wonderful father. His son is here. They're trying to catch him right now.

HARRIS: You've got a couple of young guys?

JEANNE SWEEZER: I have a two-year old who is a daddy's boy. And then we have one that is going to be a year old on Thursday.

HARRIS: So you've got a young family.

JEANNE SWEEZER: Yes.

HARRIS: Would you like to see your husband?

JEANNE SWEEZER: I would love to.

HARRIS: Take a look. There he is. Master Sergeant Jeff Sweezer. Good morning to you and merry Christmas.

MSR. SGT. JEFF SWEEZER, U.S. ARMY: Good morning. Merry Christmas to you.

HARRIS: Oh, I wish you could see your wife. She's got her hands up to her face. She's praying. She's got tears starting to flow. I'm going to get out of the way here. And have a conversation with your lovely wife.

JEANNE SWEEZER: Hi, honey.

JEFF SWEEZER: Good morning, honey. Hey, merry Christmas.

JEANNE SWEEZER: I have Josh here...

JEFF SWEEZER: Our little buddy there?

JEANNE SWEEZER: Yes. Say hi daddy.

JEFF SWEEZER: Tell him I say hello.

JEANNE SWEEZER: Say hi daddy.

JEFF SWEEZER: Hey, Josh. Hi, buddy.

JEANNE SWEEZER: He can't hear you. I'm...

JEFF SWEEZER: How are you doing?

JEANNE SWEEZER: I'm fine. How are you?

JEFF SWEEZER: I'm doing fine.

JEANNE SWEEZER: Are you doing OK?

JEFF SWEEZER: Yes, I'm doing fine. I'd like to wish everybody there a merry Christmas, my family, my wife, my two boys, all my friends. The soldiers and families of the Fort Lewis strike brigade here, the Bobcat Battalion, I'd like to send my heart. And our hearts and prayers go out to the many soldiers that were lost that day. And you know, it's hard to lose loved ones, especially this time of year. And -- or any time of year. But our hearts and our prayers from the units here, the Bobcat Battalion, Staff Sergeant Milo (ph) and his wife, and the family.

Lots of good (UNINTELLIGIBLE) at NCO. But our efforts here will continue. And I will return home safely. And considering I've spent six Christmases away from you and my family, I promise I'll do what I can next year to ensure that I am there.

JEANNE SWEEZER: That would be nice. Seven is your lucky number.

JEFF SWEEZER: Yes, it is.

HARRIS: So Jeanne, are you kidding me? Six Christmases apart?

JEANNE SWEEZER: Yes.

HARRIS: How have you managed that? And how come you haven't thrown him out and with his stuff packed and -- I'm kidding, of course.

JEANNE SWEEZER: I love him very much. He's not going anywhere.

JEFF SWEEZER: I tell you, I appreciate my support my wife gives me, as well as all the families and friends back there at Fort Lewis. And as far as the soldiers everywhere else and all the people that help by sending presents or cards, and care packages for the soldiers, they greatly appreciate it.

And you know, like I said, I will do what I can -- promise to be home next year Christmas with my family.

HARRIS: Well, I tell you what. You're a great looking family. I see one of the boys. There's another little guy around there as well?

JEANNE SWEEZER: He's not here.

HARRIS: OK.

JEANNE SWEEZER: He's with my best friend, Dee.

HARRIS: Well, Jeff, I want you to get home safely to your family as soon as you can. I know that this is a tough job that you're on, tough sledding, but you're doing a fabulous job. You don't need me to tell you that. And get home safely as you can to that beautiful family of yours. All right?

JEFF SWEEZER: All right, sir. I think you very much.

HARRIS: All right, I'll give you a moment to say one last thing to your wife, if you'd like to. JEFF SWEEZER: Jeanne, I love you. And I love the boys. I know Jonathan will be a year old in five days. That was one of the Christmases -- that's where, you know, last year. But most of it's been, you know, military and separated. And you know, this is my second Christmas in a combat environment. But my extended family here, the soldiers here, the Bobcats, the soldiers at Fog Rock, my friends. I'm surrounded by my extended family here. That's a -- you know, second to you. And the boys -- and I will do what I can to be there next year.

JEANNE SWEEZER: OK. I love you.

JEFF SWEEZER: I love you, honey. I'll talk to you later.

JEANNE SWEEZER: I love you, too. Bye.

HARRIS: Jeanne and Jeff Sweezer.

JEFF SWEEZER: Bye, honey.

HARRIS: ...a military family brought together on Christmas Day.

NGUYEN: And we have more to bring to bring together today. So let's get right to it. Captain Matt McGrew is at the base near Mosul. Iraq. Captain McGrew's family is in Jonesville, North Carolina. And they join us by phone, all of them.

Mom, dad and sister, are you on the line?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, we are.

NGUYEN: Well, as Matt is getting miked up this morning, we want to talk to you for a moment. How long has he been away?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's been away since mid-October.

NGUYEN: OK. And I imagine you miss him dearly, especially when it come to the holidays.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, terribly, terribly.

NGUYEN: How excited are you to speak with him today?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Absolutely thrilled.

NGUYEN: Anything you want to know in particular?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, basically, how he's doing, and how his troops are doing.

NGUYEN: OK. Well you know what, instead of talking about it, why don't you ask him yourself.

Captain McGrew, are you on the line?

CAPT. MATT MCGREW: Yes, ma'am, I am. Hi, mom, how are you doing?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi, Matthew. Merry Christmas, how are you?

M. MCGREW: I'm doing fine. Merry Christmas, to you guys, too.

JEN MCGREW: Merry Christmas, Matt.

M. MCGREW: Hey, Jen, how are you doing?

J. MCGREW: Doing good.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did you hear Sassy bark in the background?

M. MCGREW: Sort of. Yes, I can hear. Soldiers are doing fine, mom.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good.

BILL MCGREW, FATHER: Hey, Matt, are you getting your packages?

M. MCGREW: I am, thank you. Tell mom I got the Christmas package.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, wonderful. Please share them with your troops.

M. MCGREW: Oh, I am. I'm sharing everything with the guys.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's great.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Matt, you would be very proud of our family contingency plan in case one of the phones goes out. Dad is doing reconnaissance, again.

M. MCGREW: I guess old habits die hard.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's true.

NGUYEN: Matt, what's it like to be to speak...

M. MCGREW: So it's snowing back there?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, we didn't get snow, but it's cold.

M. MCGREW: It's outstanding. Thank you for making this happen for us today.

NGUYEN: Oh, absolutely. It is our pleasure. We just want you to have a conversation, speak to them, ask them all the questions you want answered and just tell them what you want because this is your time.

B. MCGREW: Matt, we're very happy to see you, guy. And we are glad you are doing well. You look good.

M. MCGREW: Thank you. We're all doing well. It's been a tough time, but we're carrying on.

B. MCGREW: You sound like you've been very busy.

M. MCGREW: We are. If it stays this way, we're moving along well.

B. MCGREW: Good. Very good. How do you find the Iraqi people?

M. MCGREW: Ma'am? I like working with them, sir. I find that for the most part, they're positive. They want a better place there.

B. MCGREW: That makes it worth the effort?

M. MCGREW: Yes, sir. Yes, it does. You know, I'd like to give condolences to the families that we lost yesterday, two days ago now. And we lost some -- we lost four very fine soldiers. And I want their families to know we're determined and we're carrying on. It's hard to replace them, but I think it's what they would want.

B. MCGREW: Well, we find that extremely unfortunate, guy. I know that everybody around here has been upset about the event. I got phone calls from a number of people asking if you were all right. And we, in fact, have passed the word to your grandparents and to your aunts and uncles all over the place, most of them, that you're doing well, just very busy.

M. MCGREW: Yes, sir. Well, I am. I came out of it fine.

B. MCGREW: That's good. That's good.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Matt, thanks for getting the message to Laura. She called me from Kuwait and we really, really appreciate it. And we love you very much. We're very proud of the service for the country that you're doing, you and your troops and for the outstanding citizen that you've become and great man you have become. We love you very much.

M. MCGREW: Thank you.

B. MCGREW: Anything we could send you other than Gobstoppers?

M. MCGREW: Just keep sending what you all have been sending.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK.

M. MCGREW: Don't send Gobstoppers. I got them...

NGUYEN: And of course, they send their love, as well. Captain Matt McGrew and his family in Jonesville, North Carolina. Thank you so much for spending your time today with us. And we are glad to make this reunion happen. Merry Christmas.

B. MCGREW: Merry Christmas.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Merry Christmas and thank you.

M. MCGREW: Merry Christmas to you, too, ma'am.

HARRIS: Our next reunion is about two minutes away. We'll be right back with more CNN SATURDAY MORNING. Merry Christmas.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LT. PAUL CALLAHAN: Paul Callahan, weapons company 25 here in Ramadi, Iraq. From Chart Run, Pennsylvania, like to say happy birthday to my mom and merry Christmas to all my friends and family back on Chart Run.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Welcome back. We have one more military family reunion this hour -- Tony?

HARRIS: Staff Sergeant Daniel Morak is at the Army base near Mosul. His wife, Anissa, is at Fort Lewis in Washington.

Anissa, are you there?

ANISSA MORAK, WIFE: Yes, I'm here.

HARRIS: And you've got the baby girls, Melinda and Victoria with you. Oh, I see them. All right, are you ready to talk to your husband?

A. MORAK: Yes, I am.

HARRIS: You know what? I'm going to give you a little bit of a heads-up here because there was a little bit of a delay in the signal bouncing through the sky to get to your husband, but there he is.

Daniel, good morning.

A. MORAK: I see him.

SGT. DANIEL MORAK, U.S. ARMY: Good morning, sir.

HARRIS: Well, Daniel, I'm going to give you an opportunity to have a conversation with your daughters and your wife. You take it away, enjoy yourself. Merry Christmas.

D. MORAK: Thank you, sir. Merry Christmas to you. Hi honey, hi Mindy and Tory. Merry Christmas. I miss you guys. How are you guys doing?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good.

D. MORAK: You guys open any presents yet?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No. Well, last night.

D. MORAK: No? You going to wait until you get home? Last night you got to open one? That's good. So you're going to go home and do it today when we're done?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

D. MORAK: OK. I miss you guys.

A. MORAK: How are you doing?

D. MORAK: Doing good. How are you guys doing?

A. MORAK: We're OK.

D. MORAK: Yes.

A. MORAK: They're excited to go only and open up their presents. Yes, we are.

D. MORAK: That's good. Yes, they'll have fun doing that. We're all carrying on, moving on. Yes, we're doing good.

A. MORAK: So we miss you. Everybody back home in New York says merry Christmas.

D. MORAK: I'd like to say merry Christmas to all of my family back in New York and everywhere else. Thanks for all the support, all the packages. My 24 guys, they love them. Everything gets handed out equally. And it's great to get the mail. Keep -- you know, thank you very much.

HARRIS: So Anissa, give us a sense of what Jeff has been missing since he's been deployed in Iraq and there near Mosul. What has he been missing? What have the girls been up to?

A. MORAK: School, they both have joined -- Melinda has joined pep club. Victoria is in safety patrol. The first school dance, you know that was tough. I wanted my husband to be there and share that with me.

HARRIS: Daniel missed the first dance?

A. MORAK: Yes.

HARRIS: Well, he's not going to like that. He's definitely not going to like that.

A. MORAK: No. Especially when the boys are calling the house.

D. MORAK: Getting old too quick. They're growing up too quick.

HARRIS: Well Daniel, let me give you an opportunity to say whatever it is that's in your head, on your heart to your family this morning. Take a moment and say what you're feeling.

D. MORAK: Anissa, Mindy, Tory, I love you all. I miss you all very much. My family back in New York. The 73rd engineer family, you know, we're all thinking of all the soldiers -- the two soldiers we lost, Specialist Seros, Specialist Castro's family. We're all thinking of you and the eight other soldiers that we had injured. You know, our thoughts and prayers. We think of you guys every day.

HARRIS: And Anissa?

A. MORAK: Same back here. We love you and miss you, and think about you all the time among all of our friends that are over there with you. And we hope that you stay safe and come home soon.

D. MORAK: Yes, thanks for your support, hon.

HARRIS: Daniel, be safe, be well over there, and get back as soon as you can to this beautiful family of yours.

D. MORAK: Yes, sir. Merry Christmas.

HARRIS: Merry Christmas to you and thank you for your service.

NGUYEN: And that wraps up our reunions this hour. They have just been so wonderful.

HARRIS: Isn't it great? Boy, to be able to pull that off. I mean, the technology involved, you don't -- you guys don't need to worry about that, but just the behind the scenes...

NGUYEN: The emotions, though.

HARRIS: ...of making that happen. It is just a wonderful thing to have the ability to make that happen. And we know that you at home have a lot of thoughts for U.S. troops. And it's part of our e-mail question of the day. Your wishes for U.S. troops. And we have some great e-mails for you.

NGUYEN: We sure do. John writes "Merry Christmas to ALL the troops. Thank you very much for your sacrifices and service for the United States of America. May God Bless You!! Stay safe, and come home soon!"

I think a lot of people of feeling...

HARRIS: We share that sentiment.

NGUYEN: Exactly, that today.

HARRIS: Yes.

NGUYEN: Well, we have one more -- well, actually, we'll share that other e-mail in the next hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING on this Christmas.

HARRIS: Merry Christmas, everyone. We'll be right back with the last hour of CNN SATURDAY 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 December 25, 2004 - 08:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: The next hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING begins right now. From the CNN Center, welcome to the special Christmas edition of CNN. Merry Christmas everyone. I'm Tony Harris.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Betty Nguyen. Thank you much for being with us on this Christmas morning. This hour we are focusing on military family reunions.

HARRIS: Many of our guests are troops who were injured or provided aid in Tuesday's attack on Mosul. Before we get started, let's get a check of the top stories this hour.

NGUYEN: Thousands of supporters of Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich rallied in Kiev ahead of tomorrow's second presidential runoff. Ukraine supreme court nullified results of last month's runoff because of massive vote fraud. Most polls show challenger Viktor Yushchenko as the front-runner.

In Bethlehem, a steady rain did not keep several thousand pilgrims from celebrating Christmas Eve. Christian worshipers made their way to Manger Square across from the church of the Nativity. The gathering in Bethlehem was larger than in recent years, but still far below the tens of thousands who came in the '90s.

Thousands of pilgrims packed St. Peter's Square in Vatican City as Pope John Paul ushers the Christmas holiday. Midnight mass was televised to a record 73 countries. Today the pope offers his holiday blessing and greetings in dozens of languages from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

Well, our next Christmas reunion involves Staff Sergeant Rick Lopez. Tony.

HARRIS: He was also in Mosul during the suicide bombing attack. His wife Julia is also back home at Fort Lewis in Washington. It's been an early celebration for U.S. Army reserve commander and his family for the first time at Christmas. He is several thousand miles away in Iraq. Let's see if we can make that connection. Well, how are you? Good morning, sir.

SGT. RICK LOPEZ: Good morning.

HARRIS: First of all, let me ask you to sort of reflect for us if you would on the events of Tuesday. First of all, how are you and how are your spirits?

LOPEZ: My spirits are high. I'm doing fine, recovering really well.

HARRIS: Take us through, if you wouldn't mind, share with us as much as you feel comfortable in sharing with us on this Christmas day, the events of Tuesday. What it was like in those moments before the bomb went off and give us a bit of the scene afterwards. We know it was a little bit chaotic, but we also know that there was a lot of bravery on display as well.

LOPEZ: Yeah, there was a lot. It was scary. I hope that nobody else has to go through something that we all went through that day.

HARRIS: Are you healing OK? Were you injured at all?

LOPEZ: Yes, I was, sir.

HARRIS: Can you tell us anything about your wounds or is that something you would rather keep to yourself?

LOPEZ: No, I don't mind. I got a shrapnel wound to the left leg and shrapnel through my left arm and fractured my left arm.

HARRIS: You know what, Staff Sergeant Lopez, we are going to bring your wife Julia in, Julia, are you there?

JULIA LOPEZ: Yeah, I'm here.

HARRIS: Oh my goodness the entire family is there, Julia, who is there, walk us through that. Who is there with you?

JULIA LOPEZ: This is Alisa.

ALISA LOPEZ: Hi, daddy.

J. LOPEZ: Amanda.

R. LOPEZ: Hi honey.

J. LOPEZ: Hi Honey. Rick's mom and Rick's dad.

HARRIS: OK, now Rick, let me just say this to you. There's going to be a bit of a delay in you hearing what your family is saying, so just understand that and it will be fine. First of all, Julie, there he is, you can see him. What are your thoughts? What do you want to say to him?

J. LOPEZ: He looks awesome. He looks really good, better than I was hoping.

HARRIS: Rick, talk to your family.

J. LOPEZ: I love you honey.

R. LOPEZ: I love you too, honey. I miss you guys.

HARRIS: Rick, give me a sense of what it's like to see your family. How long have you been gone, and this moment for you when you get an opportunity to see so many of your family there and children there, I know it's difficult for you to be so far away from home, but, I don't know, what are you feeling?

R. LOPEZ: I miss them a lot. Wish I could be there with them, but, you know this is what I've got to do. So -- it's hard.

HARRIS: Julie, what would you like to say? How long has it been since you last communicated with one another? Do you get an opportunity to e-mail. Do you videoconference? How do you guys stay in touch and when is the last time you had some words with one another?

J. HARRIS: We're able to talk on the phone several times a week. We try to get on the computer at least once a week with a web cam so we can see each other. We spoke a couple days ago when he called to inform me about this, so I am one of the lucky ones that gets to talk to him quite often.

HARRIS: Anything the kids want to say? Anything anyone else wants to say directly to Rick?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As his mother, I'd like to say it's really good to see him, really good to see him. I feel much better now than I did yesterday or the day before. I miss you son, waiting for you to come home. We love you.

R. LOPEZ: I miss you too mom. I love you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I know you do. I know you do. I know.

HARRIS: Mom, that's your baby boy there. He is a long way from home. I know it's difficult for you, but how proud of him are you?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Extremely proud. Extremely proud.

HARRIS: What kind of a boy was he as a young boy was he, and as you see him sitting in front of you now all grown up, out in harm's way protecting this country, what are your thoughts?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I'm really proud of him. Growing up, he was mischievous at times, but always a lot of fun, always a lot of fun to be around. And, you know, he's sitting there, and I've got his little boy here, so we have a good relationship.

HARRIS: Staff Sergeant Rick Lopez, you get the final word this morning to wish your family a Merry Christmas and say what is on your heart.

R. LOPEZ: I love you guys, I hope you guys Christmas is really good even though I'm not there. I hope everybody has a good and fun day and tell everybody I said hi and that I'm all right.

HARRIS: Staff Sergeant Rick Lopez and Julie at home with the family. Merry Christmas to all of you. Merry Christmas and we certainly hope that you are all together as a family very soon.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you. Merry Christmas to you, too. NGUYEN: So wonderful to see those families there, able to speak with their loved ones, Tony, so far away on Christmas day.

HARRIS: Did you see Rick tearing up, tough guy.

NGUYEN: It was making me tear up. Kids get up in the morning, adults get up in the morning excited about presents but that has got to be one of the best presents of the day.

HARRIS: That's, in the final analysis, that's what you want, you want to be with your family on Christmas day. He's so far away from home and if you can't be there in person with one another, it's nice to give them that moment where they can share and have words and kind words and share some memories. This is a different kind of a memory.

NGUYEN: Absolutely. Sometimes people will say things that they normally wouldn't say on an every day basis in a time like this. And you get to, really get to the heart of the matter and people express their feelings and their love for one another. So I guess that's the true meaning of Christmas.

HARRIS: And think about what Staff Sergeant Lopez has been through over the last week, never mind the length of his tour, but just over the last week when a suicide bomber walks into the tent. Everyone is in a relaxed a setting as you can be under these circumstances. You're having lunch with your comrades and the next thing you know, there's a bomb that goes off in your midst and now literally all hell is breaking lose, as he told us, he suffered some injuries, but he's doing well, some shrapnel wounds, but to get an opportunity to talk to his family on Christmas day, regardless of where you are and your circumstances, you know it's special.

NGUYEN: And it brightens the day and we have many more of those reunions that we are going to bring to you today. In fact, for many military families, this Christmas holiday is a difficult one, especially those who have loved ones serving in Iraq. So this morning we are going to try and bring some separated families together with the help of technology. Sergeant Michael Turner was one of the many soldiers eating in that mess hall that Tony and I have been speaking of in Mosul during Tuesday's devastating bombing and despite being wounded in the attack, he treated other casualties until he finally collapsed. Now his wife Geraldine is at home in Fort Lewis, Washington. There she is. Good morning Geraldine. We're going to bring them two together and oh, I can see the emotion on Geraldine's face. Let me step out of this and Geraldine, why don't you talk to your husband?

GERALDINE TURNER: Honey, how are you?

SGT. MICHAEL TURNER: I'm fine.

NGUYEN: What's it like seeing him today, Geraldine?

G. TURNER: I'm so happy that he's OK. I was really, really worried when he called me, but now that I can see him, I'm really, really happy. NGUYEN: Sergeant Michael Turner, tell us a little bit about what happened on Tuesday. You did just a tremendous deed in helping others during this desperate time when I imagine a lot of chaos was going on, you didn't know what had just happened. All the pieces weren't being put together. Kind of tell us what you had been through this past week.

M. TURNER: Well, I just sat down at the mess hall at a table and that's when the blast happened, and after that, it just -- the training took place. I assessed myself and looked around the area and started assessing the situation and immediately helping evacuate the soldiers, casualties and performing buddy (ph) and first aid to people I can do that to and my focus was to get the people out of the area as soon as possible, if we got hit, again, to get as many people out. That was my focus.

NGUYEN: Geraldine, as you hear that, hear what your husband has been through, what he has done, tell us what you are thinking right now.

G. TURNER: I am so proud of him and I am so happy that he was able to help a lot of people over there. And I'm really, really proud of him.

NGUYEN: How does he look to you today? It's Christmas?

G. TURNER: It's mixed emotions, but I'm so happy that he's OK and that's all that matters.

NGUYEN: Do you have a monitor there? Can you see him from where you, Geraldine?

G. TURNER: Yeah.

NGUYEN: How does he look? Does he look the same as when he left?

G. TURNER: He's still as gorgeous as he is.

NGUYEN: Sergeant Michael Turner, what's the first thing you are going to do when you get home?

M. TURNER: Probably take a nice hot shower.

NGUYEN: Maybe give your wife a big hug and a kiss? OK.

M. TURNER: Yes, I'll do that, too.

NGUYEN: Good. Before we run out of time, I'm going to give you both each a chance just to say one last thing to each other on this special morning. Let's start with you Geraldine.

G. TURNER: Honey, you take care of yourself and I'm praying for you all the time and keep safe and come back home safely. I love you.

M. TURNER: I want to say have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year, and I'll see you when I get home. NGUYEN: Well, best wishes to you both and a Merry Christmas to you both. Sergeant Michael Turner in Iraq and his wife Geraldine at home in Fort Louis, Washington. Thank you for being with us.

G. TURNER: Thank you.

HARRIS: Our next Christmas reunion involves a soldier many consider a true hero, Sergeant Edward Montoya, was also in Mosul during last week's bombing. As a medic he responded to the most severely injured and in doing so saved many lives that day. His family say God intervened that day to save the sergeant's life and you'll hear why they believe that. It's an incredible story. They join us on the phone from San Bernardino, California with his incredible story. Margaret, are you there?

MARGARET MONTOYA: Yes, I am.

HARRIS: Margaret, good morning.

M. MONTOYA: Good morning.

HARRIS: How early is it out there?

M. MONTOYA: It's fine. It's cold, but we're OK.

HARRIS: Is it about 5:00 in the morning out there?

M. MONTOYA: Uh-huh, 5:20.

HARRIS: Well, you have talked to your husband since Tuesday, is that correct?

M. MONTOYA: Yes, I have.

HARRIS: So you know the story, don't you?

M. MONTOYA: Yes, I do.

HARRIS: Tell us the story of your husband in that mess tent on Tuesday morning, because it is absolutely unbelievable and tell us why you believe God had a hand in it.

M. MONTOYA: Well, he was getting up to get himself a piece of dessert which he never really does and that's when the bomb hit. He said the first thing that ran through his mind was he had to get up and help his soldiers get out of there.

HARRIS: You're right. He doesn't normally eat dessert, does he?

M. MONTOYA: No, he doesn't.

HARRIS: But he gets up to get himself a piece of cake, something he doesn't normally do and at that moment the bomb goes off?

M. MONTOYA: Yes. HARRIS: Well, we're going to bring him on the line, have him join you. Sergeant Edward Montoya, are you there? There you are. Can you hear us?

SGT. EDWARD MONTOYA: Yes sir.

HARRIS: Well, good morning to you.

E. MONTOYA: Good morning.

HARRIS: I got to tell you something, we have got a lot of Montoyas on the line who want to talk to you this morning. We've got your wife Margaret and we've got your daughter, Destiny. We've got your mom, Melody and your dad, Edward. We're going to start with Margaret. Margaret, say hello to your husband.

M. MONTOYA: Hi Eddie.

E. MONTOYA: Hi honey. How are you doing?

M. MONTOYA: I'm fine, how are you?

E. MONTOYA: Good. Merry Christmas.

M. MONTOYA: Merry Christmas.

E. MONTOYA: How's everything going?

M. MONTOYA: OK. We're doing fine.

E. MONTOYA: Good. I'll be home soon.

M. MONTOYA: I hope so. Be safe.

E. MONTOYA: You know I will.

HARRIS: So, Edward, let me ask you, take us back, if you would, share with us as much as you care to, about last Tuesday and this incredible story of the man who doesn't normally eat dessert who decides OK, on this day, I'm going to go have myself a piece of cake and it is probably the decision that saved your life.

E. MONTOYA: Yes, sir. I was sitting next to a good few of my buddies who were hit, my commanding officer who was also hit and killed, Captain Jacobson, and for some reason I decided to have some dessert, some cheesecake. Like my wife said, I never have dessert. I don't know. I just felt like having it that day. I was about 10 meters, seven to 10 meters away from the blast. And it's unexplainable. It's hard to say how anything like that was, the flash was so big, the noise was so big.

HARRIS: So there was a part of you that feels incredibly blessed to be alive and you must feel incredibly sad to know that you lost friends, colleagues, comrades, brothers in arms?

E. MONTOYA: Yes, I lost a couple of really good friends, one who I just went on leave with right before I got out here to Iraq, specialist Castro. He was a real good friend of mine, and, yeah, I can say I was blessed that day.

HARRIS: Margaret, if you would, put mom on the phone, can we hear from mom? Melody, OK. We're going to get an opportunity to hear from your mom here.

MELODY MONTOYA: Hello.

HARRIS: There she is. Mom.

MELODY MONTOYA: Hi.

HARRIS: How are you?

MELODY MONTOYA: I'm fine, how are you?

HARRIS: Your son is the line, you want to talk to him? Take some time. Have a little conversation with him.

MELODY MONTOYA: OK, thank you. Hi, honey.

E. MONTOYA: Hi mom.

MELODY MONTOYA: How are you?

E. MONTOYA: I'm doing good, how are you guys?

MELODY MONTOYA: We're doing OK. It's good to hear your voice.

E. MONTOYA: Good, Merry Christmas.

MELODY MONTOYA: Merry Christmas, honey. Well, how's everything going?

E. MONTOYA: I will be home soon.

MELODY MONTOYA: I know, I heard. I think that's great.

E. MONTOYA: But things aren't going too bad here. We're moving on the best we know how. That's what needs to be done.

MELODY MONTOYA: Yeah, how do you feel, though, your head.

E. MONTOYA: Better. I'm getting better, yeah, getting better.

MELODY MONTOYA: I'm glad honey.

E. MONTOYA: I'm starting to sleep at night, again.

MELODY MONTOYA: Good. I sure miss you.

E. MONTOYA: Well, I miss you guys, too.

HARRIS: Hey mom, before we run out of time, is dad close by?

MELODY MONTOYA: Yeah, hang on one second. I love you Eddie.

E. MONTOYA: I love you too.

E. MONTOYA SR.: Hello?

E. MONTOYA: Hey.

E. MONTOYA SR.: Hey, Eddie, how things going?

E. MONTOYA: Hey, what's going on?

E. MONTOYA SR.: Oh, nothing, just cold and dirty.

E. MONTOYA: Well, it's almost bedtime over here.

E. MONTOYA SR.: Yeah, what time is it over there right now?

E. MONTOYA: Yeah, I don't know, I guess I'd say probably about 4:30 in the evening.

E. MONTOYA SR.: OK. Merry Christmas, Eddie.

E. MONTOYA: Merry Christmas to you. Tell everybody I said Merry Christmas.

E. MONTOYA SR.: OK, you have Destiny and Eddie is here too. The kids want to talk to you.

HARRIS: Let's put them on the phone as quickly as we can, before we lose our time. That would be great.

E. MONTOYA SR.: Eddie, you hang in there, I love you. You take care of yourself.

E. MONTOYA: I love you too.

E. MONTOYA SR.: OK, bye.

DESTINY MONTOYA: Hi, daddy.

E. MONTOYA: Hey, honey bear. Hello.

DESTINY MONTOYA: Hi, daddy.

E. MONTOYA: How are you?

DESTINY MONTOYA: Fine.

E. MONTOYA: Good, Merry Christmas.

DESTINY MONTOYA: Merry Christmas.

E. MONTOYA: What did Santa Claus get you?

DESTINY MONTOYA: He got me a bat cat (ph).

E. MONTOYA: Did he?

DESTINY MONTOYA: And a brat (ph) pillow.

E. MONTOYA: Good. That's what I told him that you wanted.

DESTINY MONTOYA: How did you know?

E. MONTOYA: Because daddy knows everything, if you remember that, huh? Let me talk to your brother really quick, baby.

DESTINY MONTOYA: OK, bye. Love you.

E. MONTOYA: Bye, love you.

DESTINY MONTOYA: Bye. I love you.

EDDIE MONTOYA: Hi, daddy.

E. MONTOYA: Hey little man, how you doing?

EDDIE MONTOYA: Merry Christmas.

E. MONTOYA: Merry Christmas to you, bud. Did Santa Claus get you everything you wanted?

EDDIE MONTOYA: Yeah, I got a big sweeper (ph) and a little sweeper, and four tires. And a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) blanket and a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) pillow.

E. MONTOYA: That's good, son, all right, buddy, hey, daddy loves you.

EDDIE MONTOYA: Love you, OK.

HARRIS: Sergeant.

E. MONTOYA: I'll be home soon. Yes sir.

HARRIS: Sergeant, you have a wonderful family, a wonderful family.

E. MONTOYA: Thank you.

HARRIS: It has been absolutely great to spend time with you this Christmas day. You really sort of bring it home for us all. Thank you. Stay safe.

E. MONTOYA: Thank you.

HARRIS: And get home as soon as you can to that beautiful family of yours.

E. MONTOYA: Thank you. I appreciate that.

HARRIS: Take care.

NGUYEN: Very sweet family. We feel very blessed to be a part of this, just to hear them.

HARRIS: Eavesdrop a little bit. You almost want to jump off the line.

NGUYEN: Give them a little privacy. But we have many more of these reunions to bring to you this morning, so stay tuned to CNN SATURDAY MORNING on this Christmas.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Welcome back. Sgt. First Class Truhong Phan is a medical NCO who immediately took charge of overall medical assistance with the victims of Tuesday's bombing near Mosul. Marly Phan, the sergeant's wife is at Fort Lewis, Washington. There is Truhong Phan right there. And his beautiful family. I take it that's it's wife, his baby girl and his either mother or mother in law. Marly can you hear us? Hi there. Do you have anything to say to your husband today as you see him on this Christmas?

MARLY PHAN: Oh, yeah, it's just nice to talk to him. I'm so excited when I know that I have a chance to talk to him today. And I am so happy to hear from him.

NGUYEN: Is that his mother or mother-in-law sitting next to you?

M. PHAN: This is my mother-in-law. This is my husband's mom.

NGUYEN: Wonderful. Anything she wants to say to her son today?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

NGUYEN: Sergeant First Class Truhong Phan this is your family speaking to you on such a holiday, anything you want to tell them?

SGT. TRUHONG PHAN, U.S. ARMY: I just want to let them know that I do miss them and I wish I was home to spend this holiday season with them. And Merry Christmas, and I hope they got everything they wanted for Christmas.

NGUYEN: I think you are bringing them everything that they want just by being able to see and speak with you today. Can you tell us a little bit about what you have been through this week. We understand that you were in charge of the overall medical assistance for the victims in Tuesday's bombing. What's this week been like for you? Tell your family what you've been through.

T. PHAN: Well, this whole week has been a little hectic. We've been trying to gather up all of our patient information, all the casualty information and it was hectic with us trying to track all the patients are, how they are doing at Landstuhl, Germany.

NGUYEN: You've been in the army for 16 years. Have you experienced anything like what you saw this week?

T. PHAN: No, ma'am. We have not. We've had a lot of traumas up here, but not to the extent of that down there.

NGUYEN: Is this your first Christmas away from home, away from your wife?

T. PHAN: Yes, ma'am.

NGUYEN: What is it like to be able to speak with her today. Go ahead and have a conversation with her.

T. PHAN: Hi (UNINTELLIGIBLE), how are you?

M. PHAN: I'm fine, we're OK here. I'm just so happy to hear your voice every day.

T. PHAN: Hi auntie, how's my little angel?

M. PHAN: She's good. She misses you, she kisses your picture beside the bed every day and before she goes to bed.

T. PHAN: That's great. That's my little baby. Is that her?

M. PHAN: Yes. She -- it's her.

T. PHAN: Is she teething, yet?

M. PHAN: Oh, no, no teeth, yet.

T. PHAN: Oh, wow. I'm sure it will come soon.

M. PHAN: She's so talkative, though.

T. PHAN: That's great. I miss you guys so much.

M. PHAN: I miss you so much, honey. Be careful all the times.

T. PHAN: I will always. Can't wait to be home to be with you guys.

M. PHAN: Yeah, we're here, we're waiting for you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have to.

M. PHAN: Waiting for you and pray for you everyday.

T. PHAN: Thank you. I really need it. Every one needs it over here, all the soldiers.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And say hi to everybody, uncle (UNINTELLIGIBLE) they worry for you. Say hi.

T. PHAN: OK. So I guess I have to listen to my mom, listen to what she said and she wanted me to say hi to all my relatives and my brothers and sisters and my uncles and aunties up at Michigan so I want to say, hi, Merry Christmas to them.

NGUYEN: It's always very smart to listen to mom. Now, I don't know Truhong if you can see your family sitting here, you may only be able to hear them. But your daughter is so precious. She has got cutest little ponytails in her hair and camouflage pants. Marly, did you dress her in those camouflage for a reason?

M. PHAN: This shirt is from her dad for Christmas, so, yeah, I decided to dress her up, because this is her present from her dad.

NGUYEN: What a cutie pie there. How much has she grown do you think since he last saw her?

M. PHAN: Oh, a big change, because it's been almost four months, so it's a big change, a lot of things that daddy missed. She started walking already. And when her daddy left, she was just starting crawling.

NGUYEN: Well, we are almost out of time, and she's getting a little feisty this morning. As we run out of time, let's just give you one more moment to say some last words on this Christmas. Let's start with you Marly.

M. PHAN: I would like to, I would like to thank to everybody my friends, my co-workers, my family for the prayers and I just want to say Merry Christmas to my husband. We are here. We're praying for you. And please just always be careful. That's all.

NGUYEN: Sergeant Phan?

T. PHAN: Yes, ma'am?

NGUYEN: Anything you want to say to your family before we run out of time?

T. PHAN: Yes, ma'am, I'd like to tell that I do miss them. And I love them with all my heart. And I hope to be home soon. I also would like to take this opportunity to give -- send my condolences out to our -- the families of fallen comrades out there.

NGUYEN: All right, Sergeant First Class Truhong Phan and his wife Marly Phan, with her little girl, and his mother there in Fort Lewis, Washington. We thank you and merry Christmas to you all -- Tony?

HARRIS: Captain Dwayne Limpert's parents, Dwayne and Cathy Limpert, are in Cleveland, Ohio. We'll be joined by Captain Limpert in just a couple of minutes.

But let's first go to Cathy and Dwayne in Cleveland. And good morning to both of you. Can you hear us okay in Cleveland, Ohio?

DWAYNE LIMPERT, SR.: Yes, we can.

CATHY LIMPERT: We can hear you fine.

HARRIS: Well, how excited are you to get an opportunity to talk to your son?

C. LIMPERT: Real excited.

D. LIMPERT, SR.: Real excited. There is a Santa Claus. He had an opportunity to call us a while back. And he asked his mother what she wanted for Christmas. And she said I want to see you around Christmas. And that's what we're going to have right now.

HARRIS: That's what we're going to have. That is what we're going to have. I actually spent some time in Cleveland. What side of town are you on? East, west or where are you?

D. LIMPERT, SR.: West side. North Olmstead.

HARRIS: North Olmstead. OK, I know that area well. At least you're far enough from the lake that you're not getting that lake effect snow, right?

D. LIMPERT, SR.: Oh, but we've got snow. We've got more snow than we did that first Christmas he was at Westpoint.

HARRIS: Oh, you know what? You know what? He will love to hear that. Captain Limpert, are you there? Dwayne, are you there?

CAPT. LIMPERT: Yes, can you hear me?

HARRIS: Well, good morning to you, sir. It is good to visit with you on Christmas Day. Say hello to your parents. They're there waiting to have a little conversation with you.

D. LIMPERT, JR.: Yes. Hi mom, hi dad. I thought I heard my grandpa there.

C. LIMPERT: No, no.

D. LIMPERT, SR.: No, your grandpa's not, but he's watching. He's watching and so are your brothers, and your Aunt Jennifer. And all of them are here with us. They can't be on camera, but they're here.

C. LIMPERT: We've got the world watching.

D. LIMPERT, SR.: Brad, Trace, Vicky, the whole group.

D. LIMPERT, JR.: It's good to see you, mom, and dad.

D. LIMPERT, SR.: Even better to be seeing you.

C. LIMPERT: Yes, did you send a box to the house?

D. LIMPERT, JR.: For Christmas.

C. LIMPERT: For Christmas?

D. LIMPERT, JR.: Yes, I did.

C. LIMPERT: Well, can I open it?

D. LIMPERT, SR.: We figured that, why not spend Christmas together and open our Christmas present from you?

C. LIMPERT: OK?

D. LIMPERT, JR.: Yes, I told you to open it. Yes, this morning, open it up.

D. LIMPERT, SR.: Well, that's what we're doing.

C. LIMPERT: Is that what it is?

D. LIMPERT, SR.: Oh, wow, a digital camera. Now we can go and take some pictures and send them to you on the Internet.

D. LIMPERT, JR.: There you go.

D. LIMPERT, SR.: Fantastic. Thank you very much.

C. LIMPERT: Thank you. My love.

D. LIMPERT, JR.: I love you guys.

D. LIMPERT, SR.: We love you, too. How's it going for you over there?

D. LIMPERT, JR.: Yes, it's going pretty well. It was a little tough coming back into Mosul with the incident, but things are starting to get back to normal. And (UNINTELLIGIBLE) continues to do really good stuff. So you know, we're keeping it positive.

D. LIMPERT, SR.: Very good. Well, you're in everybody's prayers here. A lot of people want to know how you were. And everybody we know in town when we see them, "How's Dwayne, how's Dwayne?" So I'm so glad you're doing well.

C. LIMPERT: And did you get a chance to see Rumsfeld?

D. LIMPERT, JR.: Yes, I did. Actually -- I actually asked him a question and got a picture with him. So it was pretty good.

C. LIMPERT: Oh, that made you happy.

D. LIMPERT, SR.: Fantastic. Well, we know you're doing really important work over there. And we're thinking of you every day. It's just so great.

It's beautiful here. We came over and the sun wasn't up yet. There was a beautiful sunrise where the pink -- the sky was all pink and blue as the sun was coming up. And the trees are all covered with snow. It looks like a Christmas card outside.

D. LIMPERT, JR.: Well, it's not exactly snowing here, but today has been a pretty good day. We had a pretty nice dinner...

C. LIMPERT: Good.

D. LIMPERT, SR.: ...or lunch, anyway. And looking forward to a good dinner with some holiday spirit.

HARRIS: Well, let me have you, before we lose the satellite time with you. Let me have you -- parents, first, final thoughts for your son?

D. LIMPERT, SR.: You just take care of yourself. And we know you're making the world a better place by being there. And we feel very privileged to be able to see you. And we're thinking of all the other soldiers that are with you, the guys and the gals, and how lucky we are to be the parents that can go and see you.

And to all of your fellow soldiers and their families that are out there, we represent them. And we know they'd rather be us at this very moment getting to see their child. So merry Christmas.

HARRIS: And Cathy, very quickly.

C. LIMPERT: Yes, just take care of yourself.

D. LIMPERT, JR.: Real quick.

C. LIMPERT: Yes?

D. LIMPERT, JR.: Real quick, I just want to say I love you guys. And to thank all the families out there, especially friends of mine who have sent cards and packages, and people that I don't know that have sent them out to the soldiers. It feels like Christmas every day with people sending all the letters over to our soldiers. So thanks to everybody and merry Christmas. Love you guys.

HARRIS: And Captain Limpert, thank you. Thank you very much. And to your family in Cleveland, North Olmstead, thank you very much for sharing this time with us this Christmas. Thank you.

D. LIMPERT, JR.: Great.

C. LIMPERT: Thank you.

NGUYEN: These are so special. And we want to keep them going. So Captain Jeff Allerding is a brigade nurse who cared for victims of the Mosul attack, right where it happened. As he is getting miked up right now, we want to turn to his wife, Jennifer, who is with us from Seattle, Washington.

Good morning to you.

JENNIFER JUNNILA, WIFE OF CAPT. ALLERDING: Good morning.

NGUYEN: How excited are you to be able to speak with your husband today?

JUNNILA: I'm thrilled. I haven't seen Jeff since early October when he left for Mosul. And I'm really happy to have this opportunity.

NGUYEN: What do you want to say to him once we get him on the line?

JUNNILA: I want him to know how proud I am of him. And I'm sorry we can't spend Christmas together, but he'll be here next year.

NGUYEN: Boy, what a day it has been. What has it been like for you, though, for these past few months since you've been apart?

JUNNILA: It's been pretty lonely at the house, pretty quiet, but I've got so many wonderful family and friends that are checking on me, and checking on him. And I know that we have the prayers of our military community with us. And I feel very supported while he's been gone.

NGUYEN: Well, guess what? We have your husband on right now with us. There he is live.

Captain Allerding, good morning to you.

ALLERDING: Good morning, ma'am.

NGUYEN: You know what? We have limited time, so I'm going to let you just speak with your wife. So go for it.

JUNNILA: I love you baby.

ALLERDING: Thank you. Good morning love, how are you?

JUNNILA: I'm great. Now it's so good to see you. You look wonderful.

ALLERDING: Thank you. What are you going to do today?

JUNNILA: Open up all my packages from Santa and think about you. And we've all been just worried about you and praying for your safety. And I'm just so glad to know that you're OK.

ALLERDING: Thank you.

JUNNILA: Your family's watching in Ohio. I told them all to turn on the TV, even though the power's out there, we're going to find a TV somewhere to watch you. So just so you know, everybody in Ohio and everybody in Seattle's watching you.

ALLERDING: Great. Everyone in the family as well?

JUNNILA: Of course. Thank you very much -- yes -- for everything that you do. I really appreciate you reminding me how many things I have to be thankful for, even though we're not here together this Christmas.

ALLERDING: Many thanks for me and all the soldiers back here for all the gift packages, letters. We've been very well taken care of.

JUNNILA: You look great, honey. I'm so glad to see you. I know you had...

ALLERDING: Do you have plans for today that I'm not aware of?

JUNNILA: Not that I know of. I'm going to have to have -- answer a bunch of phone calls of people that saw you on TV. Thank you for the job that you do.

ALLERDING: Well, enjoy the day, baby.

JUNNILA: Thank you for the job you do.

ALLERDING: Thank you.

JUNNILA: I know it was a rough week for you guys over there. And my prayers and condolences go out to all those military family members that don't have a soldier to say hello to today.

NGUYEN: Captain Allerding...

ALLERDING: I couldn't say it any better, hon.

NGUYEN: ...we are almost out of time for this particular reunion. So I want to give you the floor now. Just a few words for your wife before we have to go?

ALLERDING: Hon, I miss you and love you very much. I'll look forward to our many Christmases together in the future. My condolences to all the families that were -- that lost service members this week. It's a tough week for everyone. Know that they were well taken care of and with friends in their time of need. Thank you.

JUNNILA: Thank you, honey.

NGUYEN: Captain Allerding and his wife, Jennifer. We appreciate you both for sharing this special moment with us. Thank you.

JUNNILA: Love you, honey.

ALLERDING: Thank you. Good bye, hon. Love you.

HARRIS: It's good stuff. Another reunion for military family on this Christmas morning. Master Sergeant Jeff Sweezer helped evacuate wounded troops right after that attack on the U.S. military mess tent in Mosul, Iraq. He joins us from Mosul. And his wife, Jeanne, is also with us. She's at Fort Lewis in Washington.

Jeanne, let's talk to you first. Hey, Jeanne, how are you?

JEANNE SWEEZER, WIFE: I'm fine, how are you?

HARRIS: Oh, we're great. We're loving these reunions. Have you had an opportunity to see a couple of them before this one with you and your husband?

JEANNE SWEEZER: I'm sorry. I didn't hear you?

HARRIS: Well, we're loving the reunions. Tell us about your husband. Tell us the kind of man he is, the kind of soldier he is? JEANNE SWEEZER: He's a brave soldier. He is -- he's wonderful. He's a wonderful father. His son is here. They're trying to catch him right now.

HARRIS: You've got a couple of young guys?

JEANNE SWEEZER: I have a two-year old who is a daddy's boy. And then we have one that is going to be a year old on Thursday.

HARRIS: So you've got a young family.

JEANNE SWEEZER: Yes.

HARRIS: Would you like to see your husband?

JEANNE SWEEZER: I would love to.

HARRIS: Take a look. There he is. Master Sergeant Jeff Sweezer. Good morning to you and merry Christmas.

MSR. SGT. JEFF SWEEZER, U.S. ARMY: Good morning. Merry Christmas to you.

HARRIS: Oh, I wish you could see your wife. She's got her hands up to her face. She's praying. She's got tears starting to flow. I'm going to get out of the way here. And have a conversation with your lovely wife.

JEANNE SWEEZER: Hi, honey.

JEFF SWEEZER: Good morning, honey. Hey, merry Christmas.

JEANNE SWEEZER: I have Josh here...

JEFF SWEEZER: Our little buddy there?

JEANNE SWEEZER: Yes. Say hi daddy.

JEFF SWEEZER: Tell him I say hello.

JEANNE SWEEZER: Say hi daddy.

JEFF SWEEZER: Hey, Josh. Hi, buddy.

JEANNE SWEEZER: He can't hear you. I'm...

JEFF SWEEZER: How are you doing?

JEANNE SWEEZER: I'm fine. How are you?

JEFF SWEEZER: I'm doing fine.

JEANNE SWEEZER: Are you doing OK?

JEFF SWEEZER: Yes, I'm doing fine. I'd like to wish everybody there a merry Christmas, my family, my wife, my two boys, all my friends. The soldiers and families of the Fort Lewis strike brigade here, the Bobcat Battalion, I'd like to send my heart. And our hearts and prayers go out to the many soldiers that were lost that day. And you know, it's hard to lose loved ones, especially this time of year. And -- or any time of year. But our hearts and our prayers from the units here, the Bobcat Battalion, Staff Sergeant Milo (ph) and his wife, and the family.

Lots of good (UNINTELLIGIBLE) at NCO. But our efforts here will continue. And I will return home safely. And considering I've spent six Christmases away from you and my family, I promise I'll do what I can next year to ensure that I am there.

JEANNE SWEEZER: That would be nice. Seven is your lucky number.

JEFF SWEEZER: Yes, it is.

HARRIS: So Jeanne, are you kidding me? Six Christmases apart?

JEANNE SWEEZER: Yes.

HARRIS: How have you managed that? And how come you haven't thrown him out and with his stuff packed and -- I'm kidding, of course.

JEANNE SWEEZER: I love him very much. He's not going anywhere.

JEFF SWEEZER: I tell you, I appreciate my support my wife gives me, as well as all the families and friends back there at Fort Lewis. And as far as the soldiers everywhere else and all the people that help by sending presents or cards, and care packages for the soldiers, they greatly appreciate it.

And you know, like I said, I will do what I can -- promise to be home next year Christmas with my family.

HARRIS: Well, I tell you what. You're a great looking family. I see one of the boys. There's another little guy around there as well?

JEANNE SWEEZER: He's not here.

HARRIS: OK.

JEANNE SWEEZER: He's with my best friend, Dee.

HARRIS: Well, Jeff, I want you to get home safely to your family as soon as you can. I know that this is a tough job that you're on, tough sledding, but you're doing a fabulous job. You don't need me to tell you that. And get home safely as you can to that beautiful family of yours. All right?

JEFF SWEEZER: All right, sir. I think you very much.

HARRIS: All right, I'll give you a moment to say one last thing to your wife, if you'd like to. JEFF SWEEZER: Jeanne, I love you. And I love the boys. I know Jonathan will be a year old in five days. That was one of the Christmases -- that's where, you know, last year. But most of it's been, you know, military and separated. And you know, this is my second Christmas in a combat environment. But my extended family here, the soldiers here, the Bobcats, the soldiers at Fog Rock, my friends. I'm surrounded by my extended family here. That's a -- you know, second to you. And the boys -- and I will do what I can to be there next year.

JEANNE SWEEZER: OK. I love you.

JEFF SWEEZER: I love you, honey. I'll talk to you later.

JEANNE SWEEZER: I love you, too. Bye.

HARRIS: Jeanne and Jeff Sweezer.

JEFF SWEEZER: Bye, honey.

HARRIS: ...a military family brought together on Christmas Day.

NGUYEN: And we have more to bring to bring together today. So let's get right to it. Captain Matt McGrew is at the base near Mosul. Iraq. Captain McGrew's family is in Jonesville, North Carolina. And they join us by phone, all of them.

Mom, dad and sister, are you on the line?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, we are.

NGUYEN: Well, as Matt is getting miked up this morning, we want to talk to you for a moment. How long has he been away?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's been away since mid-October.

NGUYEN: OK. And I imagine you miss him dearly, especially when it come to the holidays.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, terribly, terribly.

NGUYEN: How excited are you to speak with him today?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Absolutely thrilled.

NGUYEN: Anything you want to know in particular?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, basically, how he's doing, and how his troops are doing.

NGUYEN: OK. Well you know what, instead of talking about it, why don't you ask him yourself.

Captain McGrew, are you on the line?

CAPT. MATT MCGREW: Yes, ma'am, I am. Hi, mom, how are you doing?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi, Matthew. Merry Christmas, how are you?

M. MCGREW: I'm doing fine. Merry Christmas, to you guys, too.

JEN MCGREW: Merry Christmas, Matt.

M. MCGREW: Hey, Jen, how are you doing?

J. MCGREW: Doing good.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did you hear Sassy bark in the background?

M. MCGREW: Sort of. Yes, I can hear. Soldiers are doing fine, mom.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good.

BILL MCGREW, FATHER: Hey, Matt, are you getting your packages?

M. MCGREW: I am, thank you. Tell mom I got the Christmas package.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, wonderful. Please share them with your troops.

M. MCGREW: Oh, I am. I'm sharing everything with the guys.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's great.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Matt, you would be very proud of our family contingency plan in case one of the phones goes out. Dad is doing reconnaissance, again.

M. MCGREW: I guess old habits die hard.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's true.

NGUYEN: Matt, what's it like to be to speak...

M. MCGREW: So it's snowing back there?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, we didn't get snow, but it's cold.

M. MCGREW: It's outstanding. Thank you for making this happen for us today.

NGUYEN: Oh, absolutely. It is our pleasure. We just want you to have a conversation, speak to them, ask them all the questions you want answered and just tell them what you want because this is your time.

B. MCGREW: Matt, we're very happy to see you, guy. And we are glad you are doing well. You look good.

M. MCGREW: Thank you. We're all doing well. It's been a tough time, but we're carrying on.

B. MCGREW: You sound like you've been very busy.

M. MCGREW: We are. If it stays this way, we're moving along well.

B. MCGREW: Good. Very good. How do you find the Iraqi people?

M. MCGREW: Ma'am? I like working with them, sir. I find that for the most part, they're positive. They want a better place there.

B. MCGREW: That makes it worth the effort?

M. MCGREW: Yes, sir. Yes, it does. You know, I'd like to give condolences to the families that we lost yesterday, two days ago now. And we lost some -- we lost four very fine soldiers. And I want their families to know we're determined and we're carrying on. It's hard to replace them, but I think it's what they would want.

B. MCGREW: Well, we find that extremely unfortunate, guy. I know that everybody around here has been upset about the event. I got phone calls from a number of people asking if you were all right. And we, in fact, have passed the word to your grandparents and to your aunts and uncles all over the place, most of them, that you're doing well, just very busy.

M. MCGREW: Yes, sir. Well, I am. I came out of it fine.

B. MCGREW: That's good. That's good.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Matt, thanks for getting the message to Laura. She called me from Kuwait and we really, really appreciate it. And we love you very much. We're very proud of the service for the country that you're doing, you and your troops and for the outstanding citizen that you've become and great man you have become. We love you very much.

M. MCGREW: Thank you.

B. MCGREW: Anything we could send you other than Gobstoppers?

M. MCGREW: Just keep sending what you all have been sending.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK.

M. MCGREW: Don't send Gobstoppers. I got them...

NGUYEN: And of course, they send their love, as well. Captain Matt McGrew and his family in Jonesville, North Carolina. Thank you so much for spending your time today with us. And we are glad to make this reunion happen. Merry Christmas.

B. MCGREW: Merry Christmas.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Merry Christmas and thank you.

M. MCGREW: Merry Christmas to you, too, ma'am.

HARRIS: Our next reunion is about two minutes away. We'll be right back with more CNN SATURDAY MORNING. Merry Christmas.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LT. PAUL CALLAHAN: Paul Callahan, weapons company 25 here in Ramadi, Iraq. From Chart Run, Pennsylvania, like to say happy birthday to my mom and merry Christmas to all my friends and family back on Chart Run.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Welcome back. We have one more military family reunion this hour -- Tony?

HARRIS: Staff Sergeant Daniel Morak is at the Army base near Mosul. His wife, Anissa, is at Fort Lewis in Washington.

Anissa, are you there?

ANISSA MORAK, WIFE: Yes, I'm here.

HARRIS: And you've got the baby girls, Melinda and Victoria with you. Oh, I see them. All right, are you ready to talk to your husband?

A. MORAK: Yes, I am.

HARRIS: You know what? I'm going to give you a little bit of a heads-up here because there was a little bit of a delay in the signal bouncing through the sky to get to your husband, but there he is.

Daniel, good morning.

A. MORAK: I see him.

SGT. DANIEL MORAK, U.S. ARMY: Good morning, sir.

HARRIS: Well, Daniel, I'm going to give you an opportunity to have a conversation with your daughters and your wife. You take it away, enjoy yourself. Merry Christmas.

D. MORAK: Thank you, sir. Merry Christmas to you. Hi honey, hi Mindy and Tory. Merry Christmas. I miss you guys. How are you guys doing?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good.

D. MORAK: You guys open any presents yet?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No. Well, last night.

D. MORAK: No? You going to wait until you get home? Last night you got to open one? That's good. So you're going to go home and do it today when we're done?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

D. MORAK: OK. I miss you guys.

A. MORAK: How are you doing?

D. MORAK: Doing good. How are you guys doing?

A. MORAK: We're OK.

D. MORAK: Yes.

A. MORAK: They're excited to go only and open up their presents. Yes, we are.

D. MORAK: That's good. Yes, they'll have fun doing that. We're all carrying on, moving on. Yes, we're doing good.

A. MORAK: So we miss you. Everybody back home in New York says merry Christmas.

D. MORAK: I'd like to say merry Christmas to all of my family back in New York and everywhere else. Thanks for all the support, all the packages. My 24 guys, they love them. Everything gets handed out equally. And it's great to get the mail. Keep -- you know, thank you very much.

HARRIS: So Anissa, give us a sense of what Jeff has been missing since he's been deployed in Iraq and there near Mosul. What has he been missing? What have the girls been up to?

A. MORAK: School, they both have joined -- Melinda has joined pep club. Victoria is in safety patrol. The first school dance, you know that was tough. I wanted my husband to be there and share that with me.

HARRIS: Daniel missed the first dance?

A. MORAK: Yes.

HARRIS: Well, he's not going to like that. He's definitely not going to like that.

A. MORAK: No. Especially when the boys are calling the house.

D. MORAK: Getting old too quick. They're growing up too quick.

HARRIS: Well Daniel, let me give you an opportunity to say whatever it is that's in your head, on your heart to your family this morning. Take a moment and say what you're feeling.

D. MORAK: Anissa, Mindy, Tory, I love you all. I miss you all very much. My family back in New York. The 73rd engineer family, you know, we're all thinking of all the soldiers -- the two soldiers we lost, Specialist Seros, Specialist Castro's family. We're all thinking of you and the eight other soldiers that we had injured. You know, our thoughts and prayers. We think of you guys every day.

HARRIS: And Anissa?

A. MORAK: Same back here. We love you and miss you, and think about you all the time among all of our friends that are over there with you. And we hope that you stay safe and come home soon.

D. MORAK: Yes, thanks for your support, hon.

HARRIS: Daniel, be safe, be well over there, and get back as soon as you can to this beautiful family of yours.

D. MORAK: Yes, sir. Merry Christmas.

HARRIS: Merry Christmas to you and thank you for your service.

NGUYEN: And that wraps up our reunions this hour. They have just been so wonderful.

HARRIS: Isn't it great? Boy, to be able to pull that off. I mean, the technology involved, you don't -- you guys don't need to worry about that, but just the behind the scenes...

NGUYEN: The emotions, though.

HARRIS: ...of making that happen. It is just a wonderful thing to have the ability to make that happen. And we know that you at home have a lot of thoughts for U.S. troops. And it's part of our e-mail question of the day. Your wishes for U.S. troops. And we have some great e-mails for you.

NGUYEN: We sure do. John writes "Merry Christmas to ALL the troops. Thank you very much for your sacrifices and service for the United States of America. May God Bless You!! Stay safe, and come home soon!"

I think a lot of people of feeling...

HARRIS: We share that sentiment.

NGUYEN: Exactly, that today.

HARRIS: Yes.

NGUYEN: Well, we have one more -- well, actually, we'll share that other e-mail in the next hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING on this Christmas.

HARRIS: Merry Christmas, everyone. We'll be right back with the last hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

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