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CNN LIVE AT DAYBREAK
Marines on Front Lines in Kuwait Have Adopted Native
Aired March 14, 2003 - 06:55 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HOLLY FIRFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The Marines on the front lines in Kuwait have adopted a native. It has four legs, a tail and he's armed.
CNN's Alessio Vinci is with the troops and introduces us to their newest recruit.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALESSIO VINCI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Whenever marines deploy away from home, they like to make new friends. However, out here in the Kuwaiti desert, there are few human beings other than American servicemen training. The entire northern part of the country has been declared off limits to Kuwaiti civilians in order to allow the American military here to train.
So, some marines are making unusual friends. And one of them is this giant lizard.
Could you please introduce us to your new friend here?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is Big Jack.
VINCI: All right. Where do you find him?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Big Jack was on, we were on post. Big Jack showed up and never left us since he showed up on post.
VINCI: What is he carrying on his back?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This right here is an ammo pouch on Jack's back. He's an ammo man in our platoon. He does carry a full magazine on him at all times.
VINCI: It's loaded.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, it's fully loaded and all 30 rounds are inserted into the magazine.
VINCI: So, what is he eating?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jack, he's a vegetarian. On occasion he does eat spaghetti MREs.
VINCI: Spaghetti meals, what does he eat? The military rations?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. VINCI: All right. He likes them?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He likes, that's his favorite meal.
VINCI: All right, now, what you got written on here?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Up here it says USMC for U.S. Marine Corps. There's an eagle globe and anchor here. His name, Private Jack, Alpha Company 12, Second Platoon, Kuwait, 2003.
VINCI: Now, if you are ordered to go into Iraq, will he come with you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jack will be leading the charge into Iraq.
VINCI: Really?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
VINCI: Will you take him all the way to Baghdad if you have to go to Baghdad?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jack will lead the charge into Baghdad, also.
VINCI: Now, he also has a service book, right?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
VINCI: What is that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jack's service book has his blood type, Social Security number, next of kin. Anything that we need to know on Jack is in that service book.
VINCI: Right. Will you take him back home with you to the United States?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jack will be staying in Baghdad for peacekeeping missions.
VINCI: For peacekeeping missions?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
VINCI: All right, well, thank you very much.
Well, some unusual friends out here in the Kuwaiti desert.
Alessio Vinci, CNN, reporting from the Kuwaiti desert with the U.S. Marines.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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