Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Saturday Morning News
Iraq War Supplemental Passes; Hillary & Obama Vote No; Search Still on for 2 Missing G.I.s; Warrior One in Ohio
Aired May 26, 2007 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Hello there, everybody. From the CNN Center, it is Saturday, May 26th. Good morning to you all. I'm T.J. Holmes.
MELISSA LONG, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, early on this Saturday, I'm Melissa Long in today for Betty Nguyen. And thanks for starting your long Memorial Day weekend with us this morning.
HOLMES: Well, this morning, on the road with Warrior One.
LONG: Yes, from the battlefield in Iraq to the auction block and beyond, see how this CNN Hummer is now helping thousands of U.S. troops and their families.
HOLMES: Also, voting no. Have senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama hurt or helped their runs for the White House by voting against money for the war in Iraq, we will hear from both this morning.
LONG: And in Iraq, the search for the two missing soldiers continues this morning. Where were some of the troops heading? That dangerous mission.
HOLMES: Also, a heart-breaking plea from the family of one of those missing soldiers. We will hear from Specialist Alex Jimenez's mom and dad, that's ahead on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
Well, the deal is done. President Bush signed the war funding bill last night, nearly $100 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan. It's seen as a victory for the White House in the short term. But what will the effect be long term for two of the senators who voted no?
CNN congressional correspondent Dana Bash reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DANA BASH, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On the campaign trail in Iowa, Hillary Clinton was already explaining her vote against funding troops in Iraq.
SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (D-NY), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We owe them more than what they're getting right now. We owe them...
(APPLAUSE)
CLINTON: ... a change in course in Iraq that recognizes the realities on the ground.
BASH: So was her main Democratic opponent, Barack Obama.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It is time to bring this war to a close.
BASH: Both were reacting to the rapid-fire Republican criticism of their no-votes on the war funding bill. John McCain called the votes the "height of irresponsibility."
Mitt Romney said, Clinton and Obama's votes "serve as a glaring example of an unrealistic and inexperienced world view." It's all political fallout from last night's drama. After refusing for days to say how they would vote...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Obama. Mr. Obama, no.
Mrs. Clinton. Mrs. Clinton, no.
BASH: ... by voting against funding the war, both presidential candidates stood exactly where many Democratic primary voters want them. Cutting off funding is something both had vowed not to do.
CLINTON: I am not prepared to vote to cut funding to American troops.
OBAMA: Democrats aren't interested in playing chicken with the troops. And we're absolutely committed to making sure that the troops have the equipment they need in order to come home safely.
BASH: Changing their positions is sure to help in the short term with staunchly anti-war voters both candidates need to win the Democratic nomination. But how will it play in the general election? Flash back to 2004, when Democrat John Kerry voted against a war spending bill.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), 2004 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I actually did vote for the $87 billion, before I voted against it.
BASH: The Bush campaign pounced, saying he...
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Abandoned our troops in combat by voting against the funding.
(BOOING)
BASH: But things are different now. The vast majority of Americans oppose the war.
ANDREW KOHUT, PRESIDENT, PEW RESEARCH CENTER: The Democratic candidates now come closer to the way the middle of the country thinks about the war in Iraq than do Republican candidates.
BASH (on camera): Senators Clinton and Obama are banking on that trend continuing: more and more Americans, Democrats, independents and Republicans, opposing the war. But that's hard to predict. And there are still 18 months before Election Day.
Dana Bash, CNN, Capitol Hill.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: The race for the White House, you can hear from the candidates on CNN in less than two weeks when we host the Democrats debate on Sunday, June 3rd, in New Hampshire, and the Republican two days later.
LONG: Sectarian violence, a long and difficult road toward establishing a stable democracy. All challenges the U.S. faces now in Iraq. And all predicted months before the '03 invasion. That's according to the newly declassified documents in a Senate report. They show intelligence analysts also warned al Qaeda and Iran would try to take advantage of the war.
Democrats say the Bush administration's refusal to heed the warnings has led to tragic consequences. But some Republicans reject the report as flawed.
Three more American families are getting the worst possible news out of Iraq today. Two U.S. soldiers and a Marine died on Friday. One of the soldiers was killed in a blast south of Baghdad. The other died during an operation in Baghdad province. The Marine was killed in a non-combat-related incident in Anbar province.
A new report this morning on a possible troop reduction in Iraq. The New York Times is reporting the White House is looking attentive ideas to decrease the troops by about 50 percent and change the focus of the mission in Iraq. Those discussions targeting a mid '08 timetable. One administration official says, and I quote now: "It stems from a recognition that the current level of forces aren't sustainable in Iraq, they aren't sustainable in the region, and they will be increasingly unsustainable here at home." End quote.
The New York Times notes top military commanders in Iraq have not been part of these discussions.
HOLMES: A desperate search for two missing U.S. soldiers in Iraq is two weeks old today. Thousands of troops are hunting for the men who vanished after an ambush in the Triangle of Death south of Baghdad. Twenty-two people were detained for questioning Friday.
Well, the search goes on. The family of one of the soldiers, Specialist Alex Jimenez, keeps vigil in his hometown. CNN senior correspondent, Allen Chernoff, visited them in Queens, New York.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The anguish of a mother worried for her son missing in Iraq.
MARIA DURAN, ALEX JIMENEZ'S MOTHER: This is terrible. And Alex is a wonderful, wonderful son. CHERNOFF: Maria Duran's son, 25-year-old Army Specialist Alex Jimenez, has been missing in Iraq since May 12th, his father's birthday. Ramon waited all day for the birthday call that never came. The Pentagon says Alex's unit was ambushed 20 miles south of Baghdad. As American forces conduct an intensive search for Alex, his family and friends hold prayer vigils every day.
M. DURAN: I say, God, I'm putting my son your hands. You have the power. You can do everything.
CHERNOFF: When the body of a third missing soldier was found earlier this week in Iraq, Maria feared it could be her son.
M. DURAN: When I saw the tattoos, I said, God, thanks. It's not him. It was terrible.
CHERNOFF: Family and neighbors describe Alex as mentally and physically tough, a man who grew up with the goal of joining the military.
MICHAEL VIAS, JIMENEZ'S NEIGHBOR: He was kind of gung-ho, you know?
CHERNOFF (on camera): He always wanted to be a soldier?
VIAS: Oh, yes.
CHERNOFF (voice-over): If Alex is being held captive, Maria Duran has a message for his kidnappers.
M. DURAN: Please, don't do anything bad to him. Please, please, save me my son, Alex. I miss you, Alex.
CHERNOFF: Alan Chernoff, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LONG: On this Memorial Day weekend, we're honoring all the troops who have served our country. There are plenty of events going on today. Want to make sure you're aware of them. About two hours from now Vice President Dick Cheney delivers the commencement address at West Point. A few hours later in Washington the annual wreath- laying at the Navy Memorial by the rolling thunder vets on choppers.
And an unofficial preview tonight of a big event on Sunday. This evening is a dress rehearsal for the National Memorial Day Concert. This year's show is a special tribute to servicemen and -women who have been wounded in the line of duty.
It has gone from the battlefield to the auction block and now it's rolling across the country, touring the country all to raise money for wounded vets.
HOLMES: The CNN Iraq War Hummer, also known as Warrior One, is making an appearance today in Ohio at the Chagrin Valley Jaycees Blossom Time Festival. And our meteorologist Bonnie Schneider took a road trip and drove that hummer all of the way to Chagrin Falls, Ohio.
I know that your gas bill is probably really, really high. But hello, Bonnie, good to you made it.
BONNIE SCHNEIDER, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It was.
LONG: Good morning, Bonnie.
SCHNEIDER: That would have been a nice ride, they've got a whole bunch of DVD players in the back. I don't know. But we are here in beautiful Chagrin Falls, Ohio. It's a little misty this morning. But we're expecting 50,000 people here this weekend to pass through this festival. And I am sure many of them will stop to take a look at this Warrior One right behind me looking beautiful.
You can actually see inside it a little bit later on, some of the artist renderings that have occurred, all of the different changes that have been updated through the overhauling project on TLC. We are going to tell you all about that in a moment.
(WEATHER REPORT)
SCHNEIDER: Well, we are here in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, at the Blossom Time Festival. And joining me now is Nick Tomaselli of the Jaycees.
And you guys actually put on this whole festival.
NICK TOMASELLI, CHAGRIN VALLEY JAYCEE: Yes, we do. We put it on every year. We've been doing it for many years. It's coming on -- last year was our fiftieth. This is our 51st year doing it. I've been involved with it for almost two years now.
SCHNEIDER: Tell me why you decided to have Warrior One at this festival.
TOMASELLI: Well, basically, we honor soldiers obviously because it's Memorial Day weekend. We love to definitely bring everybody in and get as many people to see the realistic truth on how we love to basically...
SCHNEIDER: Yes, honor...
TOMASELLI: Honor everybody. We recently had a soldier that was a Chagrin Falls graduate that passed away that was in Iraq. And we just thought that this would be a great way to honor him. I'm also a RE/MAX agent and the owner of RE/MAX owns the Hummer. So I figured I would go to Atlanta for the convention and see what I can do about getting it here.
SCHNEIDER: Well, we're so excited to see it here. And I'm sure the folks, all 50,000 of them that are going to come through here will definitely take a look at the Hummer. You want to stay here tuned to CNN throughout the morning. We are going to take you inside the Hummer and show you some things maybe you haven't seen up close and personal. It's going to be a great morning. Back to you. LONG: State-of-the-art. And as we mentioned, it was part of the "Overhaulin'" program. They did a beautiful job on the vehicle.
HOLMES: It's always fun to see inside that vehicle. So looking forward to that, Bonnie. Thank you so much, we'll see you soon.
LONG: Also, of course, for Memorial Day weekend, you can turn your frequent flyer miles into "Hero Miles." What are "Hero Miles"? Well, we're going to tell you now. Fisher House is actually going to use those miles to transport servicemen and -women that have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, and their families to treatment centers all around the country. It is so simple to participate. Just go to fisherhouse.org and then donate your frequent flyer miles over the weekend and the participating airlines will match your contribution.
HOLMES: All right. You folks who wear contacts might want to double check the label on your contact solution.
LONG: We're going to tell you why one brand is being recalled this morning. Plus, those two whales lost in the San Francisco Bay Area. How Marine scientists are still trying to lure them back to the Pacific.
HOLMES: Also, they go to military school for life in the Army, but they leave just five years later. More and more officers are choosing new career paths. Stick around.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Oh, come hail and high water. Storms in Kansas produce hail, more than an inch in diameter. Parts of the state also got hit with flash flooding last night. Some rivers and creeks are still rising from the earlier rainfall in the week.
And if you think this is a hailstorm, take a look at this. This is Minnesota. Some areas got hail the size of tennis balls. So take that. Our thanks here to Sandip Bhakta of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, giving us this I-Report video.
Meanwhile, gas prices edged down a fraction after 12 days. Don't get too excited here, yes, 32 million Americans hitting this road this Memorial Day weekend won't even notice a thing, probably.
LONG: Yes. According to latest AAA survey, the average price for a gallon of gas is $3.22 a gallon. That is down, only about 0.2 cents. The drop will save you 4 cents on 20 gallons of gas but it is worth pointing out it's the first decline in prices since May 9th.
On hold for the holiday weekend, efforts to get those injured whales back where they belong. So the whales will get to swim in circles without minimal interruption. But come Tuesday marine scientist also use high-powered water hoses to try to drive them downriver and out to the Pacific. As you know, the whales swam up the Sacramento River nearly two weeks ago now, they headed back down the river about a week ago but then stalled at the Rio Vista Bridge. And right now the wounded whales are still about 70 miles from the ocean.
More on that contact lens wearer recall for you this morning for you. You might want to check your contact solution, the contacts as well. AMO Complete Moisture Plus multi-purpose solution, that is a mouthful, is now being linked to a rare eye infection. That infection could cause blindness. So an immediate recall has been ordered by the maker, Advanced Medical Optics. The Centers for Disease Control is warning that people should throw away the solution, their current contacts and even the lens storage case.
Well, this Memorial Day weekend it is actually possible to help a soldier help a soldier's loved one to fly to see them.
HOLMES: And Veronica has some details on that for us. And good morning to you.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, T.J. Melissa, nice to see you. You know, so many of us have these unused airline miles that we might be racking up. And they may just be sitting around. So this weekend we're going to show you how you can become a hero. It's coming up next from the dot-com desk.
HOLMES: All right. We will see you soon.
Also an Army brain-drain, more officers leaving the ranks. The story behind the dropouts and how the government is trying to lure them back, coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: We've got an emotional journey to tell you about now for a group of World War II veterans. They traveled to the memorial in Washington that honors their sacrifice and their service to the nation.
LONG: CNN photojournalist Jeremy Moore (ph) had captured the sights and sounds of their visit.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SEN. BYRON DORGAN (D), NORTH DAKOTA: A hundred World War II veterans come to Washington, D.C., for the first time to see the World War II memorial.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How do you feel about being here today?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's kind of a tearjerker.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was in the Transportation Corps attached to the Medics. It's a great feeling because I never thought it was going to be erected.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I hate to say this, but there aren't have many of us left. And it brings back the memories of both the good times and the bad times.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bless your heart.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, one chance in a lifetime.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If it wasn't for the osteoporosis, I would be on top of the world.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is awesome, double awesome.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. One, two, three.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please help me welcome a true American hero, Senator Dan Inouye.
(APPLAUSE)
SEN. DANIEL INOUYE (D), HAWAII: You see at one time I had the privilege and high honor to wear the Red Bull on my shoulder.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LONG: Again, a memorial in Washington, D.C. And that trip was paid for by the World War II Honor Flight Program.
HOLMES: Well, travelers with frequent flyer miles can have a direct impact on the lives of military families, especially this Memorial holiday.
LONG: Mm-hmm. Veronica De La Cruz at the dot-com desk has the details of a really neat program.
DE LA CRUZ: Great program. Great program. And just like you were saying, donating these frequent flyer miles to the Fisher House will provide these free plane tickets to the families of wounded veterans and their loved ones. During this holiday weekend the airlines will match your contribution, doubling the number of miles you give to this program.
Now the program has been a godsend for thousands of military families. To date, nearly 10,000 tickets have been provided. Those tickets are valued at more than $12 million, on average. The program saves the veterans family about $1,300 a ticket.
Now if you would like to donate your frequent flyer miles to the Fisher House, it's extremely easy to do, all you have to do is log on to our Web site, go to cnn.com/cominghome. You want to scroll down until you see "Fisher House Hero Miles." You see it right there to the side of the page.
Now as we said, every contribution this holiday weekend will be doubled by the airlines. All you have to do is click on "Hero Miles." It will bring up a page with all 10 participating airlines. Click on the one that you belong to. And it will pull up a short form. Filling it out is extremely easy. All you have to do to, do that, click "submit." That's all there is to it. It is extremely easy to do this. And I know that we have tons of those miles just kind of piling up. And so many of us have these credit cards these days where, you know, you get miles every time you spend a dollar.
LONG: Or you have random miles on different airlines and you can never usually put them together to actually get a free flight. So if you donate and the airline will double them, then somebody else can take advantage of them.
DE LA CRUZ: Exactly. Also want to tell you guys about I- Reports, we're asking you out there to share your stories and tributes to the military servicemen and -women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for the country. Please, this weekend, send us your photos and your video of the loved ones your family have lost from wars present and past. You can tell us all about them and let us know how your family has coped.
There are two ways to reach us here. You can log on to cnn.com/ireport, and you can also e-mail us directly.
LONG: Thank you much.
HOLMES: Thank you so much.
DE LA CRUZ: Of course.
HOLMES: All right. We'll see you again soon. Meanwhile, soldiers searching for their own are moving through some pretty tough terrain.
LONG: Take a look at what they're up against in the hunt for the two missing Americans.
HOLMES: Plus, help from the government after a loss. Josh Levs joins us this morning for the first time.
Good morning to you, sir.
JOSHUA LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning to both of you guys. Yes, you know, the nation is pausing this weekend to think of the troops who have died in wars. But meanwhile, how much is the government doing to provide for the families left behind? We are looking at controversies over survivor benefits. That's coming up in the "CNN Reality Check," guys.
LONG: Thanks, Josh.
And see you later alligator. A couple of unwelcome swimmers removed from a popular lake. You're watching CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LONG: On this Memorial weekend we are remembering our fallen troops and the families now left behind. How well is the military caring for those survivors? We'll have a "Reality Check," straight ahead. Good morning once again, I'm Melissa Long, in today for Betty Nguyen.
HOLMES: And I'm T.J. Holmes. So glad you could be here with us on part of your extended Memorial Day weekend.
LONG: Well, President Bush has his war funding. This morning the president signed the $120 billion bill last night. About $100 billion of that goes to the efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. But the supplemental funding only runs through September. Democrats dropped their insistence on troop withdrawal timetables, instead setting up so-called benchmarks for Iraq.
HOLMES: Meantime, a desperate search for two missing soldiers in Iraq intensifies with thousands of troops fanning out south of Baghdad. Twenty-five-year-old Specialist Alex Jimenez and 19-year-old Private Byron Fouty disappeared two weeks ago today following an insurgent attack on U.S. military observation posts. CNN's Arwa Damon is embedded with troops hunting for the missing Americans near Yusufiya.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: These soldiers of the 123 Stryker Battalion are just back from their mission that lasted about 11 hours. Two companies air assaulted into an area about 11 miles south of Yusufiya. This was an intelligence-based operation.
They were searching fish farms. What they found was about 3,000 pounds worth of explosives and ammunition, much of that buried in 55- gallon drums. In a separate operation, elements from the 4th Battalion 31st Infantry Regiment, along with Iraqi Army soldiers, searched the banks of the Euphrates River some two miles south of where the May 12th attack took place.
In that operation, they detained 22 individuals, the U.S. military is saying that they are systematically putting together the pieces of the puzzle to try to figure out exactly what happened and where their two remaining kidnapped soldiers might be
Arwa Damon, CNN, Yusufiya, Iraq.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LONG: Overnight in Gaza, Israeli missile strike a number of Hamas targets. Two missiles struck near the house of a Hamas prime minister. But Israel says he was not a target. The Israeli Army also arrested a Hamas cabinet minister in response to rocket attacks into Israel.
HOLMES: The price of a life. This Memorial Day weekend we honor those who lost their lives in war. And Josh Levs here now with our "Reality Check." And we also -- we always think about the families who are left behind.
But still, you know, when life does have to go on, how well are these families being taken care of.
LEVS: Exactly. That's what we wanted to look at. It's a good time to stop and think about that now that, as you say, the nation really is thinking about people who have given their lives through all the U.S. wars.
You know, a couple of years ago, there was a huge jump in the amount of money given to spouses of people who die at war. But it turns out a lot of people are unable to collect that money and some veterans groups are now saying that a lot of people are not getting the money they're entitled to.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEVS (voice-over): When troops give their lives for the country, the last thing families should have to worry about is money, say many lawmakers. So two years ago Congress expanded the so-called "death gratuity" big time, from just over $12,000 to $100,000. They even made it retroactive to 2001.
BILL FRIST (R-TN), FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: We owe them a debt of gratitude and we owe them even more than a debt of gratitude.
LEVS: But some troops have died not knowing their families wouldn't have access to that money. Jamie (ph) Jaenke, a single mom thought it would go to her mother to raise her daughter, but by law it can only go to a spouse or child. So the money is in a trust her daughter cannot touch until she's 18.
SUSAN JAENKE, GRANDMOTHER: I have a daughter without a mother and now we don't have a future.
LEVS: Some in Congress are trying to change that.
REP. TOM LATHAM (R), IOWA: There was just an oversight, I believe, in that they didn't take into consideration these types of situations.
LEVS: But so far, no luck. Meanwhile, there's a battle over another benefit, annual payments. This one we need to draw out to explain. Many survivors are eligible for money from the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration. Here's one example of how that could work.
This benefit is often about $13,000 a year for a widow. This benefit, about $12,000. But survivors don't get both. They get this one and then enough from the Department of Defense to bring the total up to this. In this scenario a total of $13,000.
Many veterans groups are pushing for survivors to get both. It would cost the government billions. The Pentagon has said there's no apparent need for it. The Defense Department says it does all it can to provide for families of troops who pay the ultimate price.
(END VIDEOTAPE) LEVS: And these days there's yet another benefits issue that's now gaining importance. And that's this. There are tens of thousands of National Guard troops now in Iraq. And that comes down to individual states. So now a lot of individual states are looking at how much they pay the survivors of those National Guard troops killed at war.
In those cases those are becoming controversies on a state level. And guys, already that issue in several states is shaping up to potentially play a major role in upcoming state elections.
HOLMES: OK. Well, we are not just talking about payments, other kind of benefits as well. Are those taken care of? Are there problems with those as well?
LEVS: Well, there's a lot that they do get. I mean, they get Social Security benefits, they get life insurance, they get burial assistance and they also in some cases get career assistance for people who then decide they want to take on a job.
What's really interesting here is that the federal agencies that minister these programs and the veterans groups that are pushing for them to be better are actually in a lot of ways working together. You can go to the Veterans Administration Web site and you see links to these private groups that when you get there, say the Veterans Administration should be doing more.
So, look, there's always going to be that tension. There's always a fight to do more. But right now what you're seeing is that the key arguments are about the ones we just showed you, the big sums of money that people get shortly after that.
HOLMES: That should not be difficult. That should be easy after losing a loved one in war. You should not have other problems to be thinking about.
LEVS: And that's why Congress says it's trying to tackle this issue because it's so emotional, speaks to so many people. And a time we're at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, it's affecting more and more people every day.
HOLMES: All right. That's a very good "Reality Check." We appreciate that -- you bringing that to our eyes. Thank you so much, Josh.
LEVS: Thanks a lot.
LONG: It was a key issue that helped Republicans the most in the first two elections after 9/11, but a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll shows terrorism may not be as much of a factor when Americans goes to the polls in '08. Thirty-eight percent say an attack is likely in the U.S. in the next few weeks, 60 percent disagree, and only a quarter say that the chances of a terror attack would be higher if a Democrat is elected president next year, 17 percent think it would be less likely, 55 percent say it would make no difference. CNN correspondents discuss the Middle East and the war plan for Iraq on tonight's "THIS WEEK AT WAR." Join host Tom Foreman tonight 7:00 Eastern for the program this "THIS WEEK AT WAR."
It's graduation day at West Point. Congratulations. After years of hard, Vice President Dick Cheney will be giving the commencement address today. And those incoming Army officers set to serve. And as CNN's Alina Cho reports, they'll have an increasing number of boots to fill.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHO (voice-over): It was a time of peace, a few months before 9/11 and the war on terror. Angela and Dave Lamborn were graduating from West Point. The two met there, married and started a family. Dave shipped off to Iraq soon after their first child was born. Angela stayed behind, but she was worried about both of them being deployed at the same time. So she decided to leave active duty, just a year after her five-year commitment was up.
(on camera): So how does that make you feel?
CAPT. ANGELA LAMBORN, LEAVING ARMY: A sense of guilt in a way because I was leaving during a time of war, but at the same time, a sense of relief because I knew that there was going to be somebody at home to take care of the children.
CHO: The Army is losing mid-level officers at a rate not seen since the Vietnam war. Thirty-six percent of officers who graduated from West Point in 2001 left the service last year after fulfilling their five-year active duty requirement. At the start of the Iraq War, half as many, 18 percent left.
Some, like Angela, leave for family reasons. Others cite multiple deployment, fatigue over the war in Iraq.
LT. GEN. DANIEL CHRISTMAN, FMR. SUPERINTENDENT, USMA: We're losing the next generation of future combat leaders for the Army. Ultimately, that's what is at stake here.
CHO: Just this week, the Army rolled out new incentives for those who are most likely to leave. Captains, among the enticement, a $20,000 bonus for three more years of active duty or for just one more year, language training or additional military training.
COL. PAUL ASWELL, U.S. ARMY: We want those officers to stay in. There is no other way to get them.
CHO: While Dave Lamborn prepares for another combat tour in Afghanistan, Angela will stay home, serving her family.
LAMBORN: The best of both worlds. My husband is going to be serving. I'm going to be right by his side.
CHO: She says by supporting her husband, she's supporting her country, as well. Alina Cho, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Well, certainly a big weekend here for being outdoors. But is the weather going to cooperate?
LONG: Well, it had better, or else everybody who has come for the backyard barbecue will be moving inside? Well, people in parts of Texas may want to bring out the umbrellas or actually just stay inside all together.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: At least five deaths are being blamed on severe flooding in Central Texas. Among those, 5- and 6-year-old brothers who died when their car was swept off the road. Another person is still missing. Meanwhile, tornadoes near Killeen, Texas, injured six people and as many as 100 homes and other buildings are damaged. The Texas governor is putting emergency personnel on alert in the event of more severe weather.
(WEATHER REPORT)
SCHNEIDER: We are here in Chagrin Falls in Ohio. And yes, this is Warrior One. I want to take you inside and see how cool this is. Check this out. This week was completely overhauled by TLC's "Overhaulin'." Inside there are four LCD players. (INAUDIBLE) get a good look at them there. And state-of-the-art sound system.
And artist renderings of what it was actually like when this vehicle was embedded in Iraq with the U.S. Marines, that was in April 2003 when this vehicle came under heavy fire. And some of these images, when you really get a good look at them up close, they're just absolutely incredible and really beautiful to see.
Fifty thousand people are going to be at this festival here in Chagrin Falls in Ohio, and they'll have the chance to get a look at this up close and personal. Now the reason the CNN Hummer Warrior One is touring the country is part of the RE/MAX Tour for the Troops.
And take a look at this, it's all raising money for the Sentinels of Freedom Foundation. This foundation actually sets up scholarships for severely-wounded U.S. veterans so they can become independent once again. They set them up in four-year programs helping with transportation and assistance for the families.
And as you will remember, the vehicle was auctioned off last January to the RE/MAX founder and chairman, Dave Liniger. And that has raised $1 million for the Fisher House. And throughout the morning we're going to talk about ways that you can help by donating your frequent flyer miles to the Fisher House.
So it's a wonderful Memorial Day weekend where you come to Chagrin Falls here in Ohio, see the Hummer, or just log on to cnn.com and you can donate your miles and help the families of our troops -- back to you.
LONG: Thank you, Bonnie. Actually we are going to talk a little bit more about that right now. Veronica De La Cruz has been keeping an eye on that special program we have, of course, with the airlines as well, where you actually can donate your miles to help out the families.
HOLMES: So we're going to explain how you can do that coming up shortly on cnn.com. Really easy to do and certainly something nice you can do this weekend and throughout the Memorial Day weekend. Of course, we at CNN are going to be paying tribute to the pride, sacrifice and service of those military families.
LONG: Today at 12:30 Eastern you can see how the CNN Hummer is helping thousands in "WARRIOR ONE FOR ALL"; 2:30, "COMBAT SEARCH & RESCUE" stake you behind the lines where the elite airmen who rescue the troops; and then at 3:00, travel with medics and pilots who bring wounded soldiers home from battle in "Wounded Warriors."
Now as I mentioned a moment ago, Veronica De La Cruz is keeping an eye on that program where we can all help out the soldiers and their families this weekend.
DE LA CRUZ: That's absolutely right, Melissa. Also this weekend we're going to be asking you to share your stories through our I- Report initiative. We are remembering the nation's fallen heroes. I have got all of that coming up next from the dot-com desk.
And, T.J., I wanted the ask you this. I also heard this weekend, it's all about the women.
HOLMES: It's all -- you know, that's a good weekend then, Veronica, because, yes, you know, I'm a racing fan and certainly glad to see more women racing for the checkered flag.
DE LA CRUZ: Yes.
LONG: Who are you...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SARAH FISHER, 6TH INDIANAPOLIS 500: As a sport, we're on the same level as the business world where women are CEOs, women are leaders and to have a sport that can do that, I'm really glad to be a part of it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Well, I'm glad she's a part of it as well. We have got more than one female driver in this weekend's Indy 500, more than one woman feeling the need for speed these days. That's coming up on this CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LONG: Good morning to you on this Saturday, of course, it is Memorial weekend. And so many people will be out enjoying barbecues. But of course, you have to remember the meaning of the weekend. And if you would like to actually help military families this weekend, you have an opportunity to donate your frequent flyer miles.
HOLMES: And Veronica De La Cruz...
(CROSSTALK)
DE LA CRUZ: I'm over here, hi.
(CROSSTALK)
HOLMES: Quite all right. I know you're looking into that for us. Keeping us updated. By all means, good morning.
DE LA CRUZ: Hey there, T.J. Nice to see you. Well, like you were just saying, Melissa, many of us are going to be enjoying these backyard barbecues. We are going to be going to the beach. And I want to show you a way to really make this holiday count.
Take your airline miles and donate them to the Fisher House because they are going to double them and turn them into "Hero Miles." "Hero Miles" provide free airfare to the families of wounded veterans so that they can be together.
Now to donate, all you have to do is going to cnn.com/cominghome and click on "Fisher House Hero Miles." It's so easy. Donating takes a minute.
Now, we have received a lot of I-Reports as well that I wanted to share with you. This first one comes from the family of Private First Class Frank Cinnajinny, who was killed at Anzio, Italy, in 1944. The family says it took 55 years to learn when and where he died. They also say they regret they were never able to bring his body home in accordance with the Navajo tradition. But they are extremely proud of his sacrifice for the country.
More recent is this photo of Sergeant Brandon Michael Read who died in Iraq in 2004. His father was also serving in Iraq during the tour. The family says Brandon is a true American hero and is missed more than anyone can imagine.
Steven (ph) Jopek sent us these pictures of his brother, Sergeant Ryan David Jopek who killed in action last August. He was just two weeks from returning home when he died from an IED. His brother writes: "He was a fantastic brother and had a very honorable funeral. And I wouldn't trade him for any other brother, dead or alive. God bless America."
You can read many more stories like this at cnn.com/cominghome. It is an incredible Web site in honor of Memorial Day. I'm going to be back in the next hour to share more of this with you. In the meantime, you can send us your own I-Reports and e-mails to honor your Memorial Day hero.
LONG: And that Web site, you are right, is remarkable. The "Coming Home" special. Really take an opportunity to check it out this weekend if you have a few moments.
DE LA CRUZ: And we're going to talk about it through the morning, so.
(CROSSTALK)
HOLMES: Veronica, thank you. Look forward to seeing you again.
LONG: You know, earlier the two of you were talking women on the fast track? That's what we're going to talk about. For the first time ever, three ladies are preparing to put pedal to the metal in the famous Brickyard in Indianapolis.
HOLMES: Oh, Danica. All right. Well, today at 8:30, though, Sanjay Gupta, the good doctor, he is sharing his medical stories from the battlefield. That's "HOUSE CALL" coming up at 8:30.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: All right. It is now safe to go back into the water this Memorial Day weekend for some South Florida residents.
LONG: That's because a pair of alligators are no longer on the loose. A combined 18 feet of gator pulled out of a neighborhood canal in Miami Lakes, Florida. That is a monstrous gator. The alligators, of course, had kept locals from going into their lake.
HOLMES: That will do it.
LONG: This is a story we've been talking about for the last 20 minutes or so now. You are ready to watch the race of all races this weekend.
HOLMES: Yes. The Indianapolis 500. I'm usually a NASCAR guy, but this is a big open-wheel race that I do watch.
LONG: Because of who will be going round and round and round.
HOLMES: Hey, whatever. You know, whatever, it all works for me. But of course, the ladies starting their engines because more women than ever chasing the checkered flag at this weekend's Indy 500.
CNN's Larry Smith reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LARRY SMITH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For the first time ever, there will be three female drivers in the Indianapolis 500.
FISHER: It's really neat to be a part of that because it shows that, as a sport, we're on the same level as the business world, where women are CEOs, women are leaders and to have a sport that can do that, I'm really glad to be a part of it.
DANICA PATRICK, 3RD INDIANAPOLIS 500: Three people, four people, five people, I don't know if there's really that much of a difference in it all. Probably, you know, when it gets to something like 10, that will be pretty significant. That's a large -- that will be almost a third of the field. That would definitely be a big day.
SMITH: Danica Patrick is one of the most popular drivers on the Indy car series. She'll be joined by Milka Duno and Sarah Fisher. Racing at the Brickyard is nothing new for Fisher, who's competing in her sixth Indy 500. And Duno is a 35-year-old from Venezuela, who will be competing in just her second series race. Oh, yes, she's also a naval engineer with four Masters degrees.
MILKA DUNO, 1ST INDIANAPOLIS 500: It's going to be huge because this is so, so special race, it's the biggest in modern race and the biggest event in the world in this sport. And it's going to be fantastic. This is happy.
FISHER: I talked to Milka quite a bit because she's new and she's a rookie and you know, it's really a tough thing to come to the Indianapolis 500, especially for your second race. So, you know, I've told her if she needs any help, more than welcome to come over to the bus and have a chat or you know, ask any questions. But we are competitors at heart and that's the big picture.
SMITH: Being competitive is what motivates Patrick, who's still looking for her first career win.
PATRICK: Last year was a year that was very difficult. There was two teams that seem to be dominating not only the Indy 500 but all the races. And that's no fun. This year the chances are very good. I have experience under my belt, I have a team that's knowledgeable, I have some allies out on the track. So, I think that in the end, this year might be the best shot I've had yet.
SMITH: But whether or not Patrick, Fisher or Duno actually win the race may not be what makes the biggest impact for women in this sport.
FISHER: It's more important that women compete consistently at the top level. You know, it's not just one race that means the world to the entire sport of racing. You have to consistently compete up front in order for it to mean something.
SMITH: Larry Smith, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Well, hello there, everybody. From the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. I'm T.J. Holmes.
LONG: Good morning, I'm Melissa Long, in today for Betty Nguyen. Did the coffee just kick in?
HOLMES: I got some other sweets and some sugars and it's going now. We've got it going now.
LONG: OK. Well, we are enjoying Memorial Day weekend. Hope you are as well. And thanks for staring your weekend with us.
T.J. HOLMES, ANCHOR, CNN SATURDAY MORNING: Well, hello there, everybody. From the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. I'm T.J. Holmes.
MELISSA LONG, ANCHOR, CNN SATURDAY MORNING: Good morning. I'm Melissa Long in today for Betty Nguyen.
Did the coffee just kick in?
HOLMES: The coffee did. I got some other sweets and some sugars, and it's going now. We got it going now.
LONG: Flowing through the body, OK.
Well, we are enjoying Memorial Day weekend. Hope you are, as well. And thanks for starting your weekend with us.
Like many of you, we are hitting the road over the weekend. We're going to be catching up with our Warrior One. The CNN Hummer is now helping many wounded troops and their families.
HOLMES: But, of course, we've got new developments to tell you about. Funding for Iraq secured until September.
President Bush signed the $120 billion deal last night, and the bill getting final approval after Democrats decided to drop their insistence on troop withdrawal timelines.
CNN's Elaine Quijano live at the White House for us this morning. Hello there, Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, THE WHITE HOUSE: Hello to you, T.J.
Well, that's absolutely right. President Bush signed that war funding legislation away from the cameras at Camp David where he's spending the next couple of days.
Despite the White House winning that hard-fought victory over Democrats who had wanted to put timetables for U.S. troop withdrawals into that bill, the president was essentially low key, only issuing a written statement after he signed that legislation.
Yesterday, before even receiving the bill, the president, speaking to reporters outside National Naval Medical Center in suburban Washington, praised the bipartisan efforts that went into crafting the bill.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This effort shows what can happen when people work together. We set a good bill that didn't have timetables or tell the military how to do its job, but also sent a clear signal to the Iraqis that there's expectations here in America, expectations that we expect about how to move forward.
I look forward to continue to work with the prime minister and his government in meeting those expectations.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: How earlier yesterday, President Bush met with about two dozen wounded military personnel. He awarded five Purple Hearts. And ahead of Memorial Day, the president saying it was an honor to be their commander in chief.
Now, as for the war funding bill and the signing of that legislation, why we did not see any kind of public signing ceremony, aides say simply that they're expecting another tough fight on their hands over the next few months, because, of course, Congress is going to be debating funding the wars through fiscal year '08.
They're expecting things could get very heated then. But also, politically, T.J., interesting to note, of course, it would be awkward for one Democrat in particular, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She voted against this legislation, but ultimately was forced to work to push it through.
So, they understand that. Lawmakers also out of town. So, a lot of reasons, but the White House choosing not to make that signing a public ceremony - T.J.
HOLMES: Well, we've got to ask you, as well, about this "New York Times" report we're seeing now. It's talking about the administration possibly looking at the cutting in half the number of U.S. forces in Iraq.
However, that report also said, the top commander, David Petraeus - General Petraeus - not in on those discussions. So, is this for real?
QUIJANO: Well, you know, that's an excellent question, still an open question. And you put your finger exactly on it.
The fact that Lieutenant General David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, was not involved in those discussions is significant.
Why? Because we've heard President Bush, of course, say time and time again that he is going to be looking at what General Petraeus says come September, when he's due to give his assessment on how the new security strategy is working.
It's very significant that, as you have these ideas sort of floated out there, the top military commander there not involved in any kind of these - in any of these discussions.
So, whether or not ultimately this is what the Bush administration will decide to do, still really too early to tell - T.J.
HOLMES: Well, all right. Elaine Quijano for us from the White House. Always a pleasure, Elaine. Thank you.
Meanwhile, the troops aren't the only ones who will benefit from the Iraq war spending legislation. It also includes a minimum wage increase - the first in a decade - also billions in domestic spending.
There's $3 billion for military health care programs, almost $6.5 billion for hurricane relief along the Gulf Coast. Also, $3 billion in drought relief for farmers, $650 million for children's health insurance programs, also $40 million in recovery aid for the town of Greensburg, Kansas. Of course, that town wiped out by a tornado three weeks ago.
LONG: There were two high-profile "no" votes. Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama refusing to support the funding bill.
Republican presidential hopefuls jumped in with their reaction to the votes. Senator John McCain said they're waving a white flag to al Qaeda, but Obama and Clinton had their own take during Friday campaign stops.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON, D-NEW YORK, DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We owe them more than what they're getting right now.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA, D-ILLINOIS, DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It is time to bring this war to a close.
(END VIDEO CLIPS)
LONG: Now, Obama and Clinton weren't the only candidates to vote no. Democrats Chris Dodd and Dennis Kucinich did, as well. And Kansas Republican Sam Brownback missed the vote altogether.
Three more American families are getting the worst possible news out of Iraq today. Two U.S. soldiers and a Marine died on Friday.
HOLMES: One of those soldiers was killed in a blast south of Baghdad. The other died during an operation in Baghdad province. The Marine was killed in a non-combat related incident in Anbar province.
Meanwhile, two weeks of searching and still no sign of two American soldiers missing after a deadly ambush in Iraq. Thousands of U.S. and Iraqi troops are hunting for the two men who vanished in the "Triangle of Death." That's south of Baghdad.
Twenty-two people were detained for questioning Friday as the search focused on an area along the Euphrates River. The body of a third missing soldier was pulled from that water Wednesday. LONG: A global manhunt for a convicted U.S. child molester ends in India. Fugitive Rabbi Alan Horowitz was arrested by U.S. marshals at a seaside resort about four days ago.
Horowitz is an ordained Orthodox rabbi and an Ivy League-educated child psychologist. He was convicted of 34 counts of child molestation in New York.
HOLMES: Emergency personnel on alert this morning in central Texas. More flooding is feared there. As many as five deaths are being blamed on the flooding so far, and that includes 5- and 6-year- old brothers who were swept away by floodwaters.
The search continues for one person still missing after he tried to drive his car through high water.
Pelted and pounded by hail, some areas of Minnesota got hit with hail the size of tennis balls. And that had to hurt. This is during a storm this week.
Our thanks here to Sandip Bhakta of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, helping us out with this iReport video.
LONG: If the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia burns, can the Florida Everglades be far behind?
The southeastern drought that's fueled the devastating wildfire on the Georgia-Florid border now threatens America's largest subtropical wilderness.
CNN's John Zarrella reports now from south Florida.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT, FLORIDA EVERGLADES (voice- over): In some spots, the water was more than a foot deep. Seven inches of rain fell on parts of Miami this past weekend.
But rain needed to fall over Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades - primary sources of water for five million people. None did.
ZARRELLA (on camera): This is bad, about as bad as you've seen it?
FRED SKLAR, SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT: Just about, yes.
ZARRELLA (voice-over): We flew over the Everglades water conservation areas with Fred Sklar, the chief scientist for the area.
SKLAR: Looks dry, doesn't it?
ZARRELLA: In places, the river of grass is barely a trickle. The brown and white patches below are completely dried up.
SKLAR: At this time of year, normally what I would find would be at least half a foot of water over this area, and we would be surrounded by wading birds.
ZARRELLA: There are no birds, no water.
During most dry seasons, 600 million gallons of water a day would be pumped from this area eastward to coastal oil fields. There it would help keep fresh water flowing. This year, with no water to pump, the fields are being shut down to prevent saltwater intrusion.
An even bigger concern out here is fire.
SKLAR: This could go up at any minute.
ZARRELLA: The ground is not dirt, but organic material, 100 years of decomposed vegetation. A fire out here in this peat could last weeks.
There are already fires burning along the fringes of the Glades. You can see them as you drive along Alligator Alley, where forestry crews are setting backfires to keep flames from reaching the road.
John Zarrella, CNN, in the Florida Everglades.
(END VIDEO)
LONG: Of course, millions of Americans are filling up their tanks, hitting the road this weekend.
And you know what? You may save some money, but ...
HOLMES: You may.
LONG: ... just a few pennies.
HOLMES: Don't get too excited about that right there, folks. AAA says average gas prices are down for the first time in more than two weeks. That's great.
But drivers still feeling plenty of pain at the pump.
Here now, CNN's John Lawrence.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Three dollars? Oh, my God!
JOHN LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT, ATLANTA (voice-over): Pump shock. Gasoline prices are at record highs, as an estimated 32 million drivers hit the road for the Memorial holiday weekend.
According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded is now $3.22.
Drivers say they're not deterred, but discouraged.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're going to have to do it anyway, and we can't do anything about it. That's the problem. LAWRENCE: On the upside, AAA says prices at the pump have finally quit climbing after a 12-day streak of record highs.
MARK ORWOLL, TRAVEL AND LEISURE MAGAZINE: Driving can really cost a lot of money, so you have to really figure out all of those little additional costs to make sure that you can still afford it.
LAWRENCE: The national average for a gallon of gas has been more than $3 since the first part of the month. And that, too, is one for the record books.
I'm John Lawrence reporting from Atlanta.
(END VIDEO)
HOLMES: All right, Rosie again - Rosie O'Donnell.
LONG: Got pretty fiery this week, didn't it.
HOLMES: That's a good way to put it. That's a light way to put it.
Rosie versus Elisabeth Hasselbeck, if you haven't seen. Just the latest in a series of arguments with the outspoken host. But this time, was Rosie just a bit too hot to handle?
We're going to take another look at that.
BONNIE SCHNEIDER, CNN AMS METEOROLOGIST, CHAGRIN FALLS, OHIO: I'm Bonnie Schneider, live in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, where CNN's Warrior One is on display for everyone to take a look at.
I'm going to show you the inside of this Hummer, plus a look at your weekend forecast, coming up - Melissa.
LONG: Thank you, Bonnie.
And later on HOUSE CALL this morning, we're going to hear a lot, of course, about military men and women killed in war. But what about the ones living with wartime injuries? Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks into the true face of war.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Fallen heroes, grieving families, the devastating toll of war. Well, the Fisher House Foundation is reaching out to help families, providing men with temporary housing during those difficult times.
CNN's Robin Meade has one family's story.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
BOB KIRKPATRICK, STEPSON KILLED IN ACTION: Ambush type of thing. They had apparently reported a cache of weapons. From what we understand, the firefight lasted for approximately 1.5 hours. DEBBIE KIRKPATRICK, SON KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN: It was a rocket- held grenade that got him while he was - he was in the process of doing his job.
He died doing what he wanted to do. He died defending what he thought was right. And when (ph) we think it's right, too.
There's so many Michaels over there that are doing the same thing, that nobody knows about. These guys just want to do the right thing, and they're trying their hardest.
ROBIN MEADE, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice-over): Debbie and Bob Kirkpatrick are among the thousands of parents and loved ones who have lost a family member to war.
Two weeks ago, they traveled back to Fort Bragg as the Army honored their son for his bravery in Afghanistan.
DEBBIE FITZPATRICK: They provided a place for all of us. We were - my whole family was here together. You know, this was important. And it's important that they be together at times like this.
It's important that all the bases have someplace for families when they're going through this, because you lose your child and you really need some support.
I am very proud of him. But you know I would give these back if they would - you know, if he would just be home.
And I love him, and there couldn't have been a better son ever in this world. And we'll just - we'll miss him.
(END VIDEO)
HOLMES: And a bit about the Fisher House. It provides free or low-cost lodging to veterans and military families receiving treatment at military medical centers.
LONG: But it needs money to be able to provide that invaluable service. And that is why the CNN Iraq war Hummer, known as Warrior One, is making an appearance today in Ohio.
HOLMES: Yes, and part of a nationwide tour to raise money for wounded veterans. And our meteorologist, Bonnie Schneider, with us now live from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, with more on what's happening out there, to talk about the weather, but also that big truck right behind her.
LONG: Good morning, Bonnie.
SCHNEIDER: It is. It's really beautiful up close. The illustrations are incredible. We're going to show you those in just a moment.
But first, I want to talk about the forecast. This is a big weekend, a big holiday weekend, where a lot of people want to be outside for parades and backyard barbeques.
Here we have a little rain in Ohio, but it actually was worse further off in Texas. Let's take a look at the maps now and we can show you where we have the rain across the country, and we are looking at some wet weather.
This is a close look at the Dallas area, and, boy, there was some heavy rain in Texas yesterday, up to 10 inches. We're zooming into areas north of Austin near San Antonio, and the rain is coming down heavy and hard. Watch out for those thunderstorms, if you're going to be doing any type of traveling.
Let's move on now and talk about the rest of the country. We're also seeing some rain across the Great Lakes. We had some strong storms here in Cleveland last night.
A little bit of light rain coming into the picture for the festival, but I don't think it'll stop folks from coming. We're expecting 50,000 people here.
High pressure across the Southeast and really across much of the mid-South, as well, so good weather from Memphis down through Atlanta and New Orleans.
Also, the West Coast looks beautiful, if you're heading in that direction. And more hot weather for the Northeast, temperatures in the 90s yesterday - unbelievable - 93 degrees in New York and Boston. Today you'll get to temperatures into the 80s.
Well, we are here at the Chagrin Valley J.C. Blossom Time Festival.
And here is the CNN Hummer. And looking at it now, it looks great. But I want to show you what it used to look like. This is an illustration done by one of the artists from the "TLC Overhaulin'" show.
This is what it looked like when it was going through the deserts of Iraq in 2003. You can see the gear loaded on top and some of the dings and dents that were occurring.
Of course, this vehicle came under heavy fire in April of 2003, and you wouldn't know it by looking at it now, because after TLC's Overhaulin' crew got a hold of this truck last summer, they did some incredible changes. They really reworked the entire system.
And we also have some wonderful illustrations. Take a look at this illustration here, just in the back. Now, this picture shows Gerard Kane - this is the CNN crew - Richard Smith, Martin Savidge and Scott McWhinnie.
They're wearing hats that they found in a palace in Baghdad. And this photo was based on one that was taken on the last day for the crew in Iraq - an incredible picture there of these guys. And they're probably thinking, "Finally, we're going home." Now, after this vehicle was overhauled, some of the changes that you can see on the outside are pretty impressive. But I've got to show you what happened on the inside, too.
There is now a state-of-the-art sound system, four LCD panels, and there's our very own Chad Myers. He participated on the show. Chad is our own Mr. Fixit. And there he is working on the Hummer right there, for "TLC's Overhaulin'" show that aired this past fall.
He's doing some work on the exterior there by the doors. And boy, it came out great, though. Chad did a good job. And you can hear that sound system, state-of-the-art, with the LCDs.
So, inside and out, this Hummer has been completely remade.
And the Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation - that's really the reason that this Hummer is touring the country through RE/MAX.
What that's going to do is help to raise money for severely wounded veterans and their families. They provide scholarships, meaning a four-year transitional program that helps with transportation and other needs of the families of those severely wounded veterans.
So, you won't just find the Hummer here in Ohio. It's actually touring the entire country. It's already been at a bunch of Air Force bases. It'll head on to auto shows, and you can check on to our Web site on CNN.com for more information on that.
So, this is a great opportunity. If you're here in the Midwest, in Ohio, come on down and see it. We're expecting 50,000 people at the Blossom Time Festival. And I think they're going to be very impressed.
Back to you.
HOLMES: Well, we were impressed. And we're impressed that you were able to drive it all that way. That's a big vehicle for a little lady like yourself, Bonnie.
LONG: And as you said earlier, quite a gas bill, as well.
HOLMES: Yes. All right. Thanks, Bonnie. We'll see you soon.
LONG: Thanks, Bonnie.
SCHNEIDER: Sure.
LONG: Let's talk a little bit more about Rosie and the last stand. There's another argument ...
HOLMES: Another one?
LONG: ... leading to an early end for "The View" co-host. We have the scoop coming up. HOLMES: On celebrating "Star Wars," with a stamp. We'll see what's behind this special occasion. That's next on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LONG: Good morning to you on this Saturday.
Something new at the local post office, and I'm not talking about an increase in rates again. Actually, I'm talking about the invasion of "Star Wars" characters.
Some postal employees got into the spirit of things.
HOLMES: A little much, wouldn't you say?
LONG: Yes, well, I don't know, if you're diehard for the grand unveiling of the new "Star Wars" stamps. Da-ta-da-dah.
A 15-stamp collection was issued in honor of the movie's 30th anniversary. The only one character, however, will be actually available as a single stamp. And that is - Yoda.
HOLMES: Yoda?
LONG: You don't like that.
HOLMES: I like Vader.
LONG: Well, he beat Darth Vader in the voting.
HOLMES: I guess it's sad to say I like Vader.
LONG: Did you vote?
HOLMES: I did not vote. Maybe I could have been ...
LONG: Well, then you can't complain.
HOLMES: All right. Just like in our real elections. You can't complain if you don't vote.
Well, we've got a different kind of star wars to tell you about. Just days after an angry, angry, ugly confrontation on "The View," ABC has announced Rosie O'Donnell is out of there. She's not going to be returning to the show.
CNN entertainment correspondent, Sibila Vargas, reports.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
ROSIE O'DONNELL, TV TALK SHOW HOST, ABC'S "THE VIEW": You just said "our enemies in Iraq." Did Iraq attack us?
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT, LOS ANGELES (voice-over): Four women, each having their own view, is the theme of the popular chat fest.
But then the subject of the Iraq war came up and, known for their opposing opinions, Rosie O'Donnell and Elisabeth Hasselbeck got into a big argument.
ELISABETH HASSELBECK, ABC'S "THE VIEW": Defend your own insinuations!
O'DONNELL: I defend my (ph) thoughts (ph)!
HASSELBECK: Defend your own thoughts (ph)!
VARGAS: The heated debate actually started last week when O'Donnell said 655,000 Iraqi civilians had died, and asked, "Who are the terrorists?"
This week, Hasselbeck asked her to clarify her statement.
O'DONNELL: Do you believe I think our troops are terrorists, Elisabeth?
HASSELBECK: I don't think that you ...
O'DONNELL: Yes or no?
HASSELBECK: I don't think ...
O'DONNELL: Do you believe that, yes or no?
HASSELBECK: Excuse me. Let me speak.
VARGAS: Thursday, O'Donnell had a scheduled day off for her partner Kelli's birthday.
And that's it. She's gone.
It was announced that O'Donnell will not be back on "The View." The host did not renew her contract for a second season, but had been scheduled to work until June 20th.
The show creator, Barbara Walters, and ABC released a statement saying that O'Donnell asked for an early leave, and they're wishing her well.
Well known for her blogging, O'Donnell replied, "When painting there is a point, you must step away from the canvas, as the work is done, anymore would take away."
Sibila Vargas, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEO)
LONG: And coming up after the break, making your Memorial Day weekend count. I'm going to show you how you, too, can be a hero. I'm going to explain it all next from the dot-com desk.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Well, that explained it, but we're going to talk about it some more. You like to help ...
LONG: Greater detail.
HOLMES: If you'd like to help - yes - military families this weekend, you can consider donating those frequent flyer miles.
LONG: Yes. Veronica De La Cruz is here to explain exactly how to do it, how you can go online and do it.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN DOT-COM DESK, ATLANTA: Well, first of all, imagine this.
You're sitting in a hospital room, trying to recover from your injuries. You probably want your mother or your brother, your best friend, maybe your boyfriend or your girlfriend by your side.
So, we're going to show you how you can help a wounded veteran in need, because this is the perfect time to give up all of those miles that you've probably been hoarding.
From now through Monday, airlines will match any frequent flyer miles that you donate to the Fisher House, effectively doubling your contribution.
All you have to do is head online to CNN.com/cominghome. Click on Fisher House, hero miles.
You find your airline and you fill out the extremely short form. It only takes a couple of seconds, but it does a world of good.
Also, while you're on that page, the coming home Web page, be sure to check out all of the other great content. CNN's producers have uploaded tons of iReports sent in my military families. And their inspiring stories are great reminders of what Memorial Day is all about.
Also on the site you'll find the story of Warrior One. We've been speaking with Bonnie Schneider all morning, where one is the battle-scarred humvee used by CNN during the Iraq invasion. It sold at auction for $1 million, and all of that money goes to Fisher House.
LONG: You'll also hear from families who have children in the war zone. Go ahead and take a listen to this. This is a father now talking about his son who's serving in Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Some people ask, you know, why -- why would you send your son off to this situation? And I always replied back, if not my son, whose son? I think if it was up to parents to send their children to battle, there wouldn't be any. Fortunately, it's these young men and women that feel the call to serve. And in Christopher's case, that's exactly what happened. (END VIDEO CLIP)
DE LA CRUZ: I'll be back later with more of CNN's special online tribute. Also, keep sending us your i-reports and your e-mails.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thanks so much, Veronica. And again, do check out that special online at coming home at CNN.com.
REYNOLDS: Thank you, Veronica.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: "HOUSECALL" is next.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.voxant.com
