ad info

 
CNN.comTranscripts
 
Editions | myCNN | Video | Audio | Headline News Brief | Feedback  

 

  Search
 
 

 

TOP STORIES

Bush signs order opening 'faith-based' charity office for business

Rescues continue 4 days after devastating India earthquake

DaimlerChrysler employees join rapidly swelling ranks of laid-off U.S. workers

Disney's GO.com is a goner

(MORE)

MARKETS
4:30pm ET, 4/16
144.70
8257.60
3.71
1394.72
10.90
879.91
 


WORLD

U.S.

POLITICS

LAW

TECHNOLOGY

ENTERTAINMENT

 
TRAVEL

ARTS & STYLE



(MORE HEADLINES)
 
CNN Websites
Networks image


Sunday Morning News

Vietnam Veteran Walks Appalachian Trail in Honor of All War Veterans

Aired April 30, 2000 - 9:35 a.m. ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, since March 1, we've been following the footsteps of former Air Force pilot and colonel Charles Easom. He's on the Appalachian Trail, having pledged to walk all 2,167 miles from Georgia to Maine.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: It seems appropriate that we talk with Colonel Easom today on the 25th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. He not only is a veteran of that war, but he has dedicated his walk to raise awareness for all veterans. Colonel Easom currently in Virginia. He took a little detour off the trail at Troutsville to join us from Roanoke, Virginia.

Colonel, good morning to you.

COL. CHARLES EASOM (RET.), VETERAN WALKER: Good morning, Kyra, good morning, Miles.

O'BRIEN: How's it going so far?

EASOM: It's going really great, and the people out here on the trail and along the communities are just fantastic.

PHILLIPS: How's your health, colonel? We know you've had some trouble along the way.

EASOM: Oh, a minor deviation. The doctors at -- down the road took care of me. I'm wearing a boot splint now, and I'm back up to speed. I'm making about 17 or 18 miles a day, no problem.

O'BRIEN: Are you encountering many other hikers along the way? And when you tell them what you're up to, what is their reaction?

EASOM: The response is phenomenal. There's about 150, probably, ahead of me going north, and maybe that much behind me. I'm kind of in the middle of the pack right now.

PHILLIPS: Colonel, you know, we've been talking about the 25th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. Any thoughts going through your mind right now at this time?

EASOM: Only the thoughts for those who lost someone in the battle, and in the war, and just my prayers for those people.

O'BRIEN: What do you hope to accomplish when all is said and done, by the time you get to Mount Catawden (ph)?

EASOM: Just draw attention to the fact that some people in the military give all, and their families continue to suffer. And just open the dialogue between fathers and sons and aunts and uncles and people like that, that the military men have a special role to play in this country, and ladies.

PHILLIPS: Can you describe to us where you are and what it looks like right now?

EASOM: Yes, yesterday I came over McAfee (ph) Knob, which is the most-photographed knob in Virginia. It's like a plate sitting out over the floor. And then my next film coming in, I'll have pictures of that. It's absolutely beautiful. The flowers are coming in, the dogwood, the redbud are coming in. The animals are coming out, and it's just gorgeous.

O'BRIEN: Colonel, are you on schedule pretty much?

EASOM: I'm one day behind. I lost two days last weekend when we didn't go, but I'm -- I'll make it up, though, next week. I'm in great shape.

O'BRIEN: All right, Colonel Charles Easom, good to hear from you, and we'll stay in touch as you continue your journey.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com

 Search   


Back to the top  © 2001 Cable News Network. All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines.