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CNN Live Sunday
Camp Kandahar Gathers to Watch Super Bowl
Aired February 03, 2002 - 18:14 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to talk about Super Bowl XXXVI. In just moments, in just moments, kickoff will take place at the Superdome in New Orleans. Football fans all around the world are standing by for the grid iron classic.
And so is my colleague, Marty Savidge. Believe it or not, he's with the troops in Kandahar, Afghanistan. They're all waiting for this game to start. Looks like it's cold there, Marty.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's very cold. This is football weather with the capital F as far as here in Kandahar.
Welcome to Camp Kandahar, welcome to the biggest Super Bowl party you're going to find in Afghanistan -- I don't think I'm going out on a limb there -- and it's by far also probably the most heavily armed Super Bowl party taking place anywhere in the world right now.
It is going on about 4:00 in the morning here. Bitterly cold, as you point out. But for the troops that are gathered here, just to be able to see it, just to be able to watch the game and see a little slice of home, which most of them have missed for some time, is very important.
No small feat technically to try to pull this off. It took days of planning. Lots of equipment that had to be brought in. And the troops very thankful for it. In the background, a roar of aircraft. It's still an operating base, still security the primary issue, which is why the audience here is rather small.
Let's introduce you to a few of the others that are here watching the game. Leslie is right here. Leslie, give me your full name and your title and what you do.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm Lieutenant Leslie (UNINTELLIGIBLE), over at Charlie medical company, 6264 support battalion. I want to say hi to my friends and my family, I love you -- and most of all, I love you, Justin!
SAVIDGE: Now, we got to know, who's Justin?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My husband. Right now, he's over at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.
SAVIDGE: So what does your husband think about you being in Afghanistan?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I bet you he wishes he was in my shoes right now.
SAVIDGE: This is also a special day beyond just the Super Bowl for you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's right. Today is my 25th birthday. Whoa!
SAVIDGE: Happy birthday to you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.
SAVIDGE: Elizabeth, tell us your full name, where you're from and what you do.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm Specialist Elizabeth (UNINTELLIGIBLE), I'm from Alabama, I'm a reservist with the 314th (UNINTELLIGIBLE) headquarters, been activated since November. I'm a photo journalist and public affairs specialist.
SAVIDGE: So how does it feel to be able to watch the Super Bowl here in the middle of Afghanistan?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's great. It's absolutely great. I can't believe they pulled it off together like this, so quickly.
SAVIDGE: Does it make you feel a little closer to home?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, it does, actually.
SAVIDGE: Lisa Marie is another one here who's been helping us with public affairs. Give us your full name, where you're from.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), I'm from North Carolina, and I'm also a reservist with the 314th (UNINTELLIGIBLE) headquarters here.
SAVIDGE: You don't mind getting up in the middle of the night to try to watch a football game so far away?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, this is the first time I've seen TV in a long time, so it's awesome just seeing TV, even though it's football.
SAVIDGE: That's very true, this is the first time a lot of people have seen anything on television, so that's uplifting. Does it make you feel that much closer to the people at home?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, it does. And just seeing the support they're giving us back home, through all the patriotism, that's awesome. So we're really grateful for that.
SAVIDGE: Lisa Marie, thank you. Thank you all for the work that you do. You know, it should be pointed out, one of the reasons we tried to bring so many faces on here is, not only is it important for the troops here to see a slice of home, but also for home to see them. A lot of people have not had contact with their families, not been able to communicate. So this is sort of a vicarious way for them to do that.
But the important thing is, Super Bowl XXXVI about to get under way, and boy, we're all just chomping to watch it. We might not have beer and pretzels, but we've got hot coffee and soup. That's the next best thing.
CALLAWAY: All right, Marty, have a good time out there, and tell the troops we said hello.
And I know there's some very happy families out there right now, getting to see their loved ones' faces. Thanks, Marty.
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