Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Saturday Morning News

Witnesses Call Reno Air Show Crashed Pilot 'Hero' For Saving Lives at Last Minute; Citibank Raising Fees on Customers Who Carry Lower Balances; Manhunt for Missing Soldier; Google Jumps Into Travel Market With New Flight Finder; Latino Vote Crucial to 2012 Elections; Indonesia's Child Smoking Dilemma; Life after Combat; Helping Hand for Vets; Mayweather-Ortiz Weigh-in Gets Physical; Serenading Hope Solo; Amy Winehouse Foundation Trying to Help Others

Aired September 17, 2011 - 08:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Good Saturday morning to you all.

We have to begin with the horror out in Reno, Nevada. Can you imagine spectators at an air race look up and see one of the planes coming toward them. At least three people are dead, another 54 injured, when the plane crashed near a crowded grandstand. Witnesses though are calling the pilot a hero, for what he did at the very last moment. Those details and the video, just ahead.

Also, a manhunt is under way right now for a U.S. soldier. He's considered armed and dangerous. We'll explain.

Also -- a bank, your bank, charging you money because you don't have enough money. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense, does it? It does to some banks, including Citibank, raising its fees if you don't have a certain amount in your account. We'll tell you about this growing trend in banking and also tell you how you can avoid it.

From the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia this is your CNN SATURDAY MORNING for September 17, 8:00 a.m. here in Atlanta, 5:00 a.m. in Reno wherever you may be, glad you are right here.

Let's start though in Reno, Nevada, that air race that has left at least three people dead after a crash. We know at least 54 people have been injured and at least 12 of them considered to be in critical condition.

Take a look at the screen for just a moment. I'll show you the video in a second. This still picture really explains the horror of the situation. This is the last moment when this plane, right before it made impact on the ground at this air race. You see the spectators right below. It did not hit, even though this picture looks like it, did not crash into the most crowded area, even though it could have, had it not been some say for the actions of the pilot. More on that in a moment.

Also, want you to look and listen now to this piece of video that really explains and also lets you hear the impact.

That plane slammed into the box seats. It just barely missed the crowded grandstand. Many witnesses say they do believe that pilot, he was able to made an adjustment to veer that plane off in the last moment to keep from hitting the crowded grandstand.

A memorial service is being held for that pilot today at the airfield. His name is Jimmy Leeward. I talked to one witness this morning who was watching Leeward's plane and also knew Leeward personally. He saw it all go down right before the crash.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GUS MCCREA, EYEWITNESS: I have no doubt that Jimmy did the best he could under the circumstances to get that aircraft away from the innocent bystanders. This is a man who is dedicated for decades to the love of aircraft preservation, to history, to teach young people and help young people learn things and dedicated to flight safety.

These are not reckless men. They understand risks. They understand safety. These races are almost choreographed. They are not reckless events and they shouldn't be characterized like that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Leeward was flying a P-51 Mustang. The Mustang is one of the main American fighter planes in World War II, has top speeds of 400 miles per hour.

Now, if you are a family member or friend trying to get in touch with someone who may have been at that air show, they do have a number set up for you. It's 775-337-5800.

Meanwhile, people are starting to leave messages on Jimmy Leeward's Facebook page. At least 500 comments at last check. Some of them like this, one from Melissa saying, "My thoughts and prayers are with Jimmy and his family. He's flying with the angels. Rest in peace."

Another from Eric says, "Jimmy, you truly lived life to the very fullest. My condolences to the entire family."

And one more saying, "Jimmy, you saved my life. You pulled up just enough to miss us by 50 feet. Peace and pray for everyone else."

Four minutes past the hour. We turn to another story that is getting a lot of attention, national and international attention, because a lot of people believe Georgia is about to execute an innocent man in four days.

Troy Davis, you may know the name by now and the story. He's convicted of killing an off-duty police officer back in 1989. That officer, Savannah officer, Mark MacPhail. But since Troy Davis' conviction, several witnesses claim their testimony was coerced by police.

This case has gotten the attention of the pope, gotten the attention of Desmond Tutu, gotten the attention of former President Carter. These are some of his supporters yesterday marching in downtown Atlanta. Now it seems it's up to the Georgia pardon and parole board. They will consider an appeal on Monday.

Meanwhile, MacPhail's family and the former prosecutor says Davis is no doubt guilty no matter what the family or any of the witnesses say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KIMBERLY DAVIS, DAVIS' SISTER: We still have the seven of the nine witnesses that have recanted. We have people that are coming out, speaking the truth and we know that the truth shall set him free.

SPENCER LAWTON, FORMER CHATHAM CO. DISTRICT ATTORNEY: I'm just disappointed that so many people have been led to believe that nobody has paid attention to these recantations. It is as I explained earlier simply not the case. It's just not the case. On what ground are the recantations more believable than the testimony in court? None. None.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: And I want you to stay with us because at 9:0 Eastern time, I will be speaking to the senior pastor of Martin Luther King Jr.'s church, Ebenezer Baptist, here in Atlanta. He is one of the people called to testify before the parole board on Monday on behalf of Troy Davis. I'll ask him what he plans to say to try to save Troy Davis' life, but also will be speaking with the mother of that Savannah police officer Troy Davis is convicted of killing. She'll join me live with her side, this morning.

Six minutes past the hour now.

Police in New York state looking for this man, this U.S. soldier, after he disappeared in the woods near Ft. Drum. This is Private First Class Russell Marcum (ph). He was in what they call unit custody after being accused of burglary. He took off with his parents' car, leading police on a high-speed chase and then after he crashed that car, Marcum took off into the woods. Police lost him there. He is considered armed and dangerous. Marcum served three months in Afghanistan earlier this year.

An Arizona Air Force base locked down this morning, but reports of a lone gunman roaming the base turned up nothing. A suspected gunman had supposedly entered an office building at Davis-Monthan air force base. They locked it down, searched the whole thing, ended up nothing; caused some pretty anxious moments as you can imagine.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COL. JOHN CHERRIE, COMMANDER, DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB: No gunman or weapon was found and the building was declared secure.

JESSIE HAZEL, LIVES ON BASE: I just made sure to lock my doors and take precautions in my own home.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Again this lockdown lasted around two hours.

Let's turn to Libya now where anti-Gadhafi forces are launching a new offensive right now in their former leader's hometown of Sirte. Forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi had been holding their ground there. It's been the scene of some fierce back and forth battles this week. Meanwhile, the government of Niger is refusing requests by Libya's new government to turn over Gadhafi family members who fled there last week.

Also, another developing story. We are standing by for word on two American hikers jailed in Iran. The attorney for the two men saying this morning that, quote, he is very hopeful that they might be released today. They have been waiting on paperwork. This is a paperwork issue right now. But this would allow Josh Fattal (ph) and Shane Bauer (ph) to be released on $1 million bail payment. The two have been held in Iran for more than year two years.

We turn to the economy now, the nation's trouble trying to create jobs. The president stepped into the rose garden on Monday morning to talk about his jobs plan. He touched on the plan during his weekly address today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It will create new jobs and it will cut taxes for every worker and small business in the country and it will not add to the deficit. It will be paid for.

On Monday, I'll lay out my plan for how we'll do that, how we'll pay for this plan and pay down our debt by following some basic principles, making sure we live within our means and asking everyone to pay their fair share.

But right now we've got to get Congress to pass this jobs bill. Everything in the American jobs act is the kind of idea that's been supported by Democrats and Republicans before. And if they're ideas you agree with, then every one of you can help make it happen by telling your congressperson to pass this jobs bill right away.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: You can see the president's comments right here on CNN. We'll have those for you 10:30 Eastern time, again, that's on Monday. But in response to the president this weekend, the Republicans had something to say. Their response was delivered by Illinois Congressman Peter Roskam.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. PETER ROSKAM (R), ILLINOIS: Republicans are listening to America's job creators and working to address their concerns with real solutions. In the House, Majority Leader Eric Cantor has scheduled several bills for a vote this fall aimed at cutting red tape and addressing the excessive Washington-imposed regulations that hamper job creation. This week the House passed a bill to eliminate the barriers Boeing faces. It stops the government from telling an employer where it can and cannot create jobs. We can take commonsense steps like these and still have rules that look out for our health and safety. What's important is that these rules are effective and dependable. Job creators should be able to focus on their work, not on Washington's busy work.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: At this point, there are no scheduled hearings or debates in the House on the president's jobs plan.

Ten minutes past the hour now.

A convenience store clerk fights off her would-be robber. Take a close look at this fight. It's caught on the store's surveillance tape. We'll tell you how this all went down, how this all ended.

Also, we introduce you to a dog that's got a pretty expensive appetite, the dog's $49,000 meal. That's next, stay with me on this CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Thirteen minutes past the hour now, give you a look at some stories making headlines cross-country.

Authorities in Montana say a hunter was killed Friday morning by a grizzly bear. This was near the Idaho border. Deputies say the area where the attack happened was so remote they had to fly in on a helicopter. They hiked to the victim. He is yet to be identified. The victim's hunting partner says he shot and killed the bear.

In Cambridge, Massachusetts, check this out, a convenience store clerk turned into a crime fighter. You see the robber right there. The man tried to rob the place, but look at what the robber did, put down the gun as he tried to clean out the register. So what the clerk do? Took advantage of the opportunity and you see her there and she did tackle the guy, ends up getting up, running away, did not get any money. Police are now trying to hunt him down.

Also dogs, Alexandra, are supposed to eat homework. But that dog you're seeing, Jack, a Scottish terrier, ate two checks that were worth a combined $49,000. People want to be upset with the dog, OK? Shouldn't we be upset with the guy who left $49,000 in checks sitting out somewhere for the dog to eat?

ALEXANDRA STEELE, AMS METEOROLOGIST: It took a while for the bank to make good on it. The dog ate my homework was a tough sell. Can you imagine trying to (INAUDIBLE)?

HOLMES: Forty-nine thousand dollars. What's the most expensive meal you've had lately Alexandra?

STEELE: Oh, I don't know, Jell-O and Fruit Loops. HOLMES: As long as you have are your pumpkin spiced coffee.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HOLMES: Alexandra, thank you, always good to have you on the weekend. We'll see her plenty throughout the morning.

We're at 17 minutes past the hour now.

A lot of people when you travel, traveling on a budget, you go to Expedia. You go to Orbitz. You know where you can go now? Google. Yes, they have just added travel searching as one of their services. We'll show you how it works and if this is the way to go.

Also, it could cost you more to do your checking with Citibank. If you don't stick around so we can tell you how to avoid those new fees. The answer for you after the break on this CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Twenty minutes past the hour now.

It could be costing you more to do business with Citibank. They're raising their monthly fees by $2 on accounts that have low balances. Now, they're not the only ones doing this. We're highlighting them right now, but still there's a long list of banks, they're trying to make up for revenue lost under new regulations so they're coming up with new fees and new rules.

So this is now a $10 monthly fee, but you can get around this. What you have to do is you have to sign up for direct deposit or online bill paying. Or the other thing you can do is maintain a balance of $1,500 in your accounts. If not, you will be charged that $10 a month fee. These do take effect in December.

Well, a lot of people want to get out of town, don't you. Well, Google can help you out now. They're launching a new service to help you find flights that fit your budget.

Our digital lifestyle expert Mario Armstrong, our dear friend, is here to help us out.

Is it fair to say this is in direct competition to the Expedias and the Orbitzs of the world?

MARIO ARMSTRONG, CNN DIGITAL LIFESTYLE EXPERT: Oh, yes. Not only is it fair to say that, it's even beyond that. There was a deal that was done where Google made a purchase of a company that keeps travel database information and many of the competitors use this same database for their information of flights. So they were even blocked at some point.

The Justice Department had to look at this and say, is this OK, or would this give Google a competitive advantage? Ultimately, they let Google go ahead and buy the travel software company's database. So yes, this is a direct shot at Travelocity, Kayak and others.

HOLMES: Mario, tell me how it compares, though. Does it do pretty much the same thing the others do or are you getting a couple of advantages or maybe even disadvantages with the new Google one?

ARMSTRONG: Good point.

First off, the advantages are little bit simpler interface. I really like how easy and clean it is to use. You can see it right there, very simple to use. You can type in an easy search. You can just say, I want to fly from Philadelphia to Atlanta or I want to fly from LA to New York. Then it will pull up all the different flights that match that search criteria.

But a limitation is, right know, only can you get economy flights and you can't get anything international, no first class, no business class or anything like that. Over time, that will change, but I still think Kayak is probably still my favorite site to use at this point.

HOLMES: But still the fear and the competition is not even maybe that it works so well, but just that the name "Google" is attached. People think search, they think I'm going to Google.

What if people start thinking, search for travel and think Google?

ARMSTRONG: Yes. This is also going to be a problem for other big dogs, not even just the start-ups. You have a lot of start-up companies, small sites that are doing great things for travel to find you great deals on great locations. But then even like Microsoft, they have their Bing search engine and they have flights, travel deals on their site as well.

So you're right, I think the word "Google" -- some people are worried about this because it's like, how much can we just do through one search engine? How much do we want that search engine to know about us? Others are saying, this is good for the industry, anything that can help me find a cheaper flight, I'm for it.

HOLMES: I had another travel question, but I'm going to take these last moments and do something here for our viewers a personal note.

It was two years ago that I first met Mario in Tampa, Florida. We served on a panel together. I first met him, never laid eyes on him before. I immediately called my executive producer and said, get down here, I love this guy, we've got to use him on the air. We've been using Mario for the past two years as our digital, our tech guy.

And I'm proud to say, let our viewers know, he has now been named the tech contributor -- make sure I get the title, but the digital and tech contributor to NBC's "Today" show.

Congratulations, Mario.

ARMSTRONG: T.J., thank you so much, man. I know you don't have to do this on air, but it's people like you and Tanesha (ph) that give others a chance. I just can't thank you from the bottom of my heart enough and I feel the onus on me to make sure that I give back and open up doors for others.

HOLMES: As long as you keep doing that. It's amazing to see and people recognize what we recognized in you. So congratulations. We'll still see him here on CNN.

ARMSTRONG: That's right. Not going anywhere.

HOLMES: Congratulations.

ARMSTRONG: Stay where the foundation was laid.

HOLMES: Appreciate that.

Again, folks, join us every Saturday still this time. He's still our digital lifestyle expert as well, Mario Armstrong giving us the scoop on the latest technology.

Thanks so much and congratulations to our Mario Armstrong.

At 25 minutes past the hour now. The political clout is growing, their numbers growing as well. We're talking about the Latino vote and the key role they could play in next year's elections. Breaking this down for you in just a couple of minutes.

Also, turn your head to the screen for a moment. You are seeing this correctly. That is a picture of a two-year-old child smoking. We've just learned he's just one of thousands of children in one particular country, Indonesia, lighting up. Why? We'll explain in our "Morning Passport."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: We're coming up on the bottom of the hour here on this CNN SATURDAY MORNING. I'm T.J. Holmes. Thank you so much for spending part of your day here with us.

One of the stories making headlines today, this fatal crash at an air race in Reno, Nevada. At least three people are dead, including the pilot; 50 people injured, a number of them in critical condition. This was at an air race. Don't know why it came plunging to the ground, but it did crash in an area just outside of the crowded grandstand. So this could have been a lot worse and a lot of people are giving the pilot credit for veering that plane off at the last moment before impact.

Also, people who are supportive of Georgia death row inmate Troy Davis are hoping they can save him from execution. That execution is set for Wednesday, just four days from now. This is a lot of his supporters marching in downtown Atlanta yesterday. He is set to be executed for killing an off-duty Savannah police officer back in 1989.

The case has gotten international attention because several of the witnesses, at least seven of the nine witnesses against him have now recanted or contradicted their testimony. The Georgia Pardon and Parole Board will consider his case on Monday.

Also -- an attorney for the U.S. hikers who have been held in Iran for the past two years say he is very hopeful that they could be released even today. This is a paperwork issue we're told now. Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer have been held there two years after they say they accidentally hiked over into Iran.

Well, several of the Republican presidential candidates working today to win primary votes in South Carolina. Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, he is giving the two sides equal billing today he's visiting both of the home games for the teams there. He's catching the Clemson game this afternoon then head to the University of South Carolina a little later.

Then, Rick Santorum, he's got a head-start in South Carolina, the former Pennsylvania Senator attended a GOP fund-raiser last night in Greenville. Santorum wasted no time taking shots at his rivals Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry as well as President Obama.

Also, Herman Cain is in South Carolina, he kicked off a bus tour to the state Friday morning in Aiken, where he's pushed his plan to stimulate the economy. Cain's South Carolina bus tour includes stops in Simpsonville, Charleston and also Rock Hill.

Ron Paul, though, is turning his attention to the West Coast. The Texas Congressman is in California. He'll give speeches at two events, including one sponsored by the Republican Liberty Caucus. Paul's swing through Los Angeles follows his stop in Reno, Nevada last night.

Well, the growing clout of Latino voters could play an important role in next year's elections, especially for the president and Democrats in key battleground states. There will be more Hispanic voters in 2012 than ever before.

Here now our senior Latin-American affairs editor, Rafael Romo.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN SENIOR LATIN-AMERICAN AFFAIRS EDITOR (voice- over): New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg habla espanol.

MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG (I), NEW YORK CITY: My Spanish skills -- (INAUDIBLE) --

ROMO: Or at least he tries.

President Barack Obama greeted supporters in Spanish on a trip to Puerto Rico earlier this year.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Buenas tardes.

ROMO: And some Republican presidential candidates seem to be courting Hispanics.

MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Hispanics, as you know, have been hit terribly hard, disproportionately hard, with an unemployment rate that is substantially higher than the national figures.

ROMO: Experts say appealing to the fastest growing ethnic group in the country is crucial the year before presidential elections.

MARK LOPEZ, HISPANIC PEW CENTER: Latinos have played a growing and important role in the nation's presidential elections over the last few election cycles. There are now more than 21 million Hispanics who are eligible to vote and Latinos reside in some key states.

ROMO: In the 2008 election in Colorado, Latinos represented 13 percent of all voters, 14 percent in Nevada, 15 percent in Florida, and a whopping 38 percent in New Mexico, all considered swing states.

LOPEZ: So even the participation rate among Hispanics in presidential elections has been growing.

ROMO: In 2008, 9.5 million Latino voters went to the polls out of 12 million registered. The leader of an organization that tracks Latino voting trends says he's expecting a dramatic increase next year.

(on camera): Can we make an estimation about how many Latino voters we're going to have in 2012?

JUAN ANDRADE, U.S. HISPANIC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: We will have probably -- we estimate at least 12 million to 13 million registered to vote in the next presidential election. It could be even higher.

ROMO: In 2004, former President George W. Bush won more than 40 percent of the Latino votes. Four years later, 67 percent of Hispanic voters went for Barack Obama. Experts say anybody getting that kind of support from Latinos next year, whether Democrat or Republican, has a good chance of winning the presidency.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: And thanks to our Rafael Romo reporting for us.

And a reminder, you can catch Soledad O'Brien's documentary "CNN LATINO IN AMERICA PART 2" next Sunday at 8:00 Eastern Time right here on CNN.

Now many people believe that in four days Georgia is going to execute an innocent man. I want you to stay with us through the top of the hour. I will be talking to a man who plans to be at the parole board hearing on Monday to try to save Troy Davis's life.

But you'll also hear from the mother of the police officer Davis is convicted of killing and why she says she wants this execution to go forward.

Its 34 minutes past the hour. Stay with me.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Thirty-seven minutes past the hour on this CNN SATURDAY MORNING. Let us say good morning once again to Nadia Bilchik with our "Morning Passport."

And I actually had someone write in to me that said, they needed to leave the house but they saw the story I've teased about kids smoking in Indonesia and she said, "I'm sticking around. I've got to see what in the world this is about." So what in the world is it about?

(CROSSTALK)

NADIA BILCHIK, CNN EDITORIAL PRODUCER: It is so remarkable.

About a year ago, a video went viral of a little 2-year-old boy smoking. There were 13 million hits when little Aldi Rizal in a small village in Indonesia was smoking.

So that's how this all came about and, of course, people say how is it possible; and certainly as an American audience when we see a 2- year-old smoking.

HOLMES: Yes.

BILCHIK: Well, there is no legislation about smoking in Indonesia. They call it the Wild West of the tobacco industry. So think how out -- we deal with smoking. We know it's unhealthy. We see it everywhere that it's unhealthy. But there they billboard for smokers. So a young child like Aldi Rizal, his parents don't think it's bad necessarily. And he became quite addicted to cigarettes.

Well, once the video went viral, people saw it and will say the people in the village got quite embarrassed and subsequently he was sent to Jakarta to go on some kind of rehab.

HOLMES: Really.

BILCHIK: So the story goes that he's no longer smoking. And his mother says, things like, every time he doesn't get a toy he wants he threatens to start smoking again. He's now around four.

HOLMES: Ok, but he's not the only one.

BILCHIK: No, he's not the only one. In fact, there are about a million children in Indonesia under 16 who smoke. A third of them start smoking before 10. It's easily accessible. Any child can go and ask for a cigarette, they're about ten cents a cigarette, accessible, easy.

HOLMES: So this really comes about -- these kids we're seeing, they are hooked, they're addicted to smoking.

BILCHIK: They are addicted to smoking from a very, very young age and bearing in mind you'll have billboards -- so for example, 2010 you had Kelly Clarkson coming to Indonesia to do a concert. HOLMES: Yes.

BILCHIK: So L.A. Lights will sponsor the billboard and sponsor Kelly Clarkson. Here you don't get that. You're not allowed that kind of advertising.

HOLMES: But they are targeting the children.

BILCHIK: They are targeting the children. There's even an A- Mild, which is a cigarette that targets children.

Now, the person involved with health in Indonesia was very concerned.

HOLMES: Ok.

BILCHIK: She said, but I can't really do anything because there's such a backlash. Recently they suggested a bill to say, let's mitigate some of this, let's deal with it, let's ban smoking, and there was such an outcry there were literally thousands of people who surrounded the palace in protest.

(CROSSTALK)

HOLMES: To keep their cigarettes.

BILCHIK: Exactly -- to keep their cigarettes, to not stop advertising.

HOLMES: Oh my goodness.

BILCHIK: And it's interesting for us, because in a country where we know how unhealthy smoking is.

HOLMES: You can't smoke inside, outside, anywhere in the U.S. it seems sometimes.

BILCHIK: Well, if you want to smoke, go to Indonesia.

HOLMES: Go to Indonesia.

All right, Nadia Bilchik, interesting and in some ways a shame but still --

BILCHIK: It's pretty shocking, isn't it?

HOLMES: It's -- it's pretty shocking. Nadia, with our "Morning Passport." We'll see you again. Thank you so much.

Well, coming up on 40 minutes past the hour now.

And they're out of Afghanistan, also out of a job? But there is some help out there, and that boost is helping a former soldier turn up the heat on his new career.

We'll check him out. So that's next, stay with us on this CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Well, 41 minutes past the hour now.

And it has been tough for veterans back from Iraq and Afghanistan. Collectively, their unemployment rate is among the highest of any group. But as Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr found out, there's hope for a fresh start.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (on camera): I'm a city girl. You've got to tell me what all of this stuff is.

MIKE HANES, IRAQ WAR VETERAN: So there's -- there's all kinds of vegetables growing over here. Right here is curly dock, it's kind of sour. It's -- you can cut this raw in a salad. You can cook it.

STARR (voice-over): After serving in a Marine Corps Reconnaissance Unit in Iraq, Mike Hanes returned home in 2004 plagued with such severe combat stress he couldn't work. He found himself homeless.

HANES: When I came back, I really had an extremely difficult time transitioning and I just could not interact or associate with society at all.

STARR: Then Mike came to this farm just outside San Diego. Here, fellow Marine Colin Archipley and his wife teach farming to combat veterans looking for new careers. It's much-needed help. The jobless rate for Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans is 11.5 percent in today's already fragile job market, and Mike was vulnerable, says Colin.

COLIN ARCHIPLEY, FOUNDER, ARCHIE'S ACRES: It was frequently that he'd give us a call and say, I don't think I'm going to make it today. And we kind of coerce him and get him up here.

STARR: Now Mike is turning everything around. At the farm's kitchen table, a new life is mapped out.

HANES: I've got find out if they sell it in big, big huge containers, you know?

DWIGHT DETTER, ARMY VETERAN/WHOLE FOODS BUYER: Right. All right, what I'll do is I'll call my main distributor.

STARR: Mike is going into production with his own hot sauce called "Dane." Whole Food's buyer Dwight Detter is trying to get it on his market shelves this fall. An Army veteran, Dwight felt an instant connection.

DETTER: Here is a person -- I want to get involved in this, and it kind of fit in with what I do for work, but gave me new opportunities to -- to help him develop his label, his brand. STARR: Mike says he's learned to seek support, but for combat vets, getting any job can be tough.

HANES: It's hard to find the support for these veterans coming back because there's so much involved with turning -- turning that off, you know, the "on" switch that's been triggered when you're in combat.

STARR: And perhaps something switched on for Dwight, thinking about whether helping a young vet get ahead makes him feel like he's still serving.

DETTER: That's funny. I haven't even thought of that in that way. Yes, maybe so. Maybe it's a -- that it's a rewarding feeling that I didn't get when I was doing it at the time.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: And Barbara Starr is with me this morning in Washington. Good morning to you, and I mentioned at the top there that for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan the unemployment rate is among the highest of any group.

Just how bad is the job market for them?

STARR: Well, you know, T.J. this economy is hitting Afghan and Iraq veterans returning home very hard. For America across the board it's in the 9 percent-plus range; for these young veterans it's in the 11 percent-plus range and in some areas of the country even close to double that.

They are finding it very tough to get jobs when they come back. If they don't go back to school on their GI benefits, a lot of them say the best they can find is some minimum wage job, and that's not what they're looking for. So a lot of them are trying to make, like Mike, are trying to make their own new lives, their own new careers.

HOLMES: Ok. And everybody will hear this and say, that's just a shame. These are the very men and women we should be taking the best care of certainly when they come back. So are there other programs -- are there more stuff popping up and even pressure on the government to do more to make sure they help these veterans out?

STARR: Well, in President Obama's new proposed jobs bill, in fact, there's a tax credit for employers ranging as high as over $9,000 if they hire veterans. We're talking to more and more companies that are doing very targeted programs to try and hire veterans. There's job training benefits for them through the VA, through a lot of veterans' organizations.

But still a lot of these young veterans coming back say right now, especially when they go back to maybe the small towns that they have come from the job market just isn't there. There aren't good- paying jobs for them to have. So it is going to be a long haul for a lot of these young people coming home -- T.J.

HOLMES: All right. Great to bring attention to this. And Barbara Starr, always good to have you with us. Thanks so much.

STARR: Thank you.

HOLMES: Well, stick around, folks because I want you to see, want you to hear a hip-hop serenade to Hope Solo. Yes, the U.S. soccer goalie. Stick around for that in sports.

It's 46 minutes past the hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: All right. About ten minutes off the top of the hour. Let's say good morning to our good friend Joe Carter of HLN Sports. We're talking about this Hope Solo serenade.

JOE CARTER, HLN SPORTS: Yes. This is good.

HOLMES: Stick around for that one. We'll do that in one second.

But first, fight night. Not that many fights people want to see. This still isn't the fight everybody wants to see, but one of the guys people want to see is in it.

CARTER: Well, yes, one of the guys we hope will be in that mega fight soon to come is in it, Floyd Mayweather fighting Victor Ortiz, the two weighed in yesterday in Las Vegas.

And as always Mayweather, the constant instigator gets, you know, gets a little chippy there. They start pushing, talking, shoving and then, of course, Mayweather grabs him around the neck, but the two would eventually go their separate ways.

HOLMES: That's so cute. Look at them.

CARTER: Now, a lot of people probably don't even realize there's a fight tonight unfortunately because boxing has dipped off over the years because of the MMA and all that stuff. But Mayweather is expected to make some big cash tonight, $25 million.

We haven't seen him in the ring in more than 16 months. We've seen him on the headlines though. Of course he's got legal issues which could possibly land him in jail in the next couple of months or years; had a big dispute with his father, Floyd, Sr.

His camp actually coming into this fight has questioned his ability because of his age. He's 34. He's fighting Victor Ortiz who's 24. You know, I know you think Floyd has this one easily tonight --

HOLMES: I'm just saying.

CARTER: But those that watched the Victor Ortiz-Andre Berto fight back in April know this guy has skills. Sugar Shane on his way out, Mayweather beat him easily. Ricky Hatton, Floyd beat him easily. I think Victor Ortiz has a shot tonight. Albeit, a shot.

HOLMES: Of course. Of course he has a shot.

CARTER: But I will the boxing fans out there, there is a chance, Bob Arum, of course, Manny Pacquiao's promoter says that if Floyd wins tonight and if Mayweather -- or excuse me -- if Pacquiao wins in November that the two would fight, it would be a mega fight sometime in May.

HOLMES: Yes. Right.

CARTER: Maybe.

HOLMES: We've been trying this forever. It's just not going to happen.

Let's get to Hope Solo. Now she's a big star, attractive lady, U.S. goalie.

CARTER: Yes.

HOLMES: And now somebody's after her.

CARTER: Well, America fell in love with the U.S. soccer team this summer, of course. And a lot of people fell in love with Hope Solo. She's that very pretty girl.

She was in Kansas City; she stopped by the MLS team to pay a visit there. The Sporting Kansas City is the team's name. And their rookie actually decided to -- I guess you guys call it a rap. You can call it a poem. It's a serenade. His name is CJ Sapong. It's part awkward, kind of little goofy.

HOLMES: Part awkward.

CARTER: Part awkward but it's kind of cute.

HOLMES: So let me see this, man.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CJ SAPONG: But angels really do exist and girl, you are the proof. Hope Solo, Hope Solo, can you make my dream come true?

HOPE SOLO, GOALIE, U.S. SOCCER TEAM: Come on in, baby.

SAPONG: Yes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARTER: But the end is the best part. Keep the video. This is -- right here. There it is.

There it is. He's got a much better shot at her than I do now. He's that much closer to getting a date. Apparently he wrote that for the last couple of weeks and was anticipating her --

HOLMES: Weeks? CARTER: -- that was weeks of work.

But if you saw the whole video, I hate to throw him under the bus, if you saw the whole video he screws it up and then they have to start over. So we took the best part but I just let the cat out of the bag.

HOLMES: That's fantastic. It takes a lot of nerve to do that. He did it in front of the camera. Congratulations to him. We'll follow up and see if he gets a date or see what happens down the road.

Before you go, still we need to -- let me go ahead -- are you ready for me over there? Alexandra is giving us --

STEELE: I'm ready.

HOLMES: -- a look.

Big football weekend, Saturday, football is back, college football. Everybody is concerned about the weather. A few big games we'll highlight here if you can. What do you have for us? Any weather problems for us tonight?

STEELE: Not really. Hey, maybe you're heading to Florida, here's a look at some of the game day forecast. Kick off tonight, Oklahoma heading to Florida State; beautiful conditions, 8:00 tonight, 81 degrees, going to be hot there, about 90 degrees but game time it will drop to 81. The weather looks pretty decent.

Hey to South Bend, Indiana, Notre Dame hosting Michigan State yesterday at Notre Dame. It was 39 degrees yesterday morning. Yesterday got to 60, today it will get to 70; 3:30 kickoff time, 65 degrees, beautiful conditions, if you're heading to that game, it will be beautiful in the stands.

And then once again, back to Florida, Florida hosting Tennessee, 3:30 this afternoon, about an isolated chance for a shower. 87 degrees, so pretty steamy if you're out there, but it certainly will be fun. So games looking great -- T.J.

HOLMES: All right. Notre Dame, I've got to see if they can come back from what Michigan did to them last week.

All right. Thank you so much, Alexandra.

STEELE: You're welcome.

HOLMES: We'll check in with her plenty.

We're getting close to the top of the hour. Quick break, we're right back. Stay with me.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: As we get close to the top of the hour, when singer/songwriter Amy Winehouse died earlier this summer, it put the spotlight on her history of drug and alcohol abuse. Now the Amy Winehouse Foundation is trying to reach children who may be in need.

Here is this week's "Impact Your World."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MITCH WINEHOUSE, AMY WINEHOUSE'S FATHER: I was in New York City, and my cell phone rang and it was Andrew, our security guy. And he broke the news to me that Amy had died. In my mind immediately was Amy Winehouse Foundation. She loved children and one of her greatest wishes was to have children of her own.

We're looking to help hundreds of charities. The mission statement is very much to help children who are suffering from economic disadvantage, who are ill, who are suffering with drug abuse. Her legacy will be the foundation as well as her music.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: You, too, can impact your world. CNN can show you how. Go online now, visit cnn.com/impact.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Well, let's check in now with Christine Romans. She has a look at what's coming up at the bottom of the hour, 9:30 Eastern.

Hey there, Christine.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Hi, T.J.

If you're part of America's middle class, no question there are fewer opportunities. So how do we bring those opportunities back?

Plus, is the job market not working for millennials or are they just not cut out to work in this tough new job market?

And almost 32 million kids eat lunch at school every day. It's a captive audience. So what exactly are we feeding these kids and who should be paying for healthier options?

That's all coming up at 9:30 a.m. Eastern -- T.J.

HOLMES: All right. Thanks to our Christine Romans. We'll see her at the bottom of the hour.