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Texas Floods Receeding; Kentucky Police Office Killed; Obama Visits Moore, Oklahoma; Two Women Die After Being Swept Away By Texas Floodwaters; Boy Scouts Vote To End Gay Ban; Supreme Court About To Issue Several Cases

Aired May 26, 2013 - 16:00   ET

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


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Welcome to the "CNN Newsroom." A look at our stories topping this hour.

President Obama toured the damage from that EF-5 tornado. He told people in Moore, Oklahoma that the nation has their backs. We'll have live team coverage next.

And Texas is having better weather today after torrential rain and flooding in the area for two days now. Two people died in the high waters.

And the search is on today for suspects in the killing of a Kentucky police officer. His body was found yesterday at an exit ramp of the Blue Grass Parkway. The police chief has strong words for the suspect. We'll have the latest on the manhunt.

We begin in Moore, Oklahoma where President Obama is touring the damage from an EF-5 tornado. He spoke at the Plaza Towers Elementary School earlier today which took a direct hit. The president also toured some neighborhoods that were decimated by that twister. We have live team coverage now, George Howell in Oklahoma and Athena Jones at the White House.

Athena, let me begin with you. What was the president's message to the people of Moore today?

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Fred. Well, the big goal of the president in making this trip was to meet with local officials to thank first responders, but also to meet with the families of people who have been hardest hit by this storm and most affected by the tragedy, families who have lost loved ones, people who have seen their homes destroyed, a school destroyed, a hospital destroyed, businesses destroyed.

So he wanted to bring to them words of comfort and a promise of further help. Let's listen to what he said when he made that stop at Plaza Towers Elementary School.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: There was a story that really struck me in the press, in the rubble was found a bible, open to the words that read "A man will be a hiding place from the wind and a cover from the tempest." That is a reminder, as scripture often is, that god has a plan and it's important though that we also recognize we're an instrument of his will and we need to know that as fellow Americans we're going to be there as shelter from the storm for the people of Moore who have been impacted and when we say that we've got your back, I promise you, we keep our word.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JONES: So you heard him say "we've got your back and we keep our word." He promised the residents there that the federal government is going to continue to offer help and support, and we know from the governor of Oklahoma there that that they have a lot of debris to clean up, a massive debris field 17 miles long, nearly 1 1/2 mile wide. This is really just the beginning of those efforts, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Athena Jones, thanks so much at the White House.

Let's bring in George Howell who is there in Oklahoma. So George, the president visiting the residents there of the survivors and at the place that was so hard hit. One of the many places very hard hit. What are folks on the ground there saying about the president's visit and how meaningful it is to them?

GEORGE HOWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, a lot of people here, they know that the president has been on the ground. They are certainly comforted that he came here to tour this damage, to talk to first responders, to see that school firsthand. There is concern though among officials, among people here that are cleaning up. They know that the media attention is here now.

They know that the federal dollars are here now to help them clean up but once they move all this debris out of the way - and Fred, that could take months, it could take over a year, will that help still be there. That's the big concern but we did hear the president earlier saying, "We got your back." And he mentioned Tuscaloosa. He mentioned Joplin. He mentioned this storm and don't forget what happened in Shawnee, Oklahoma, just a few miles down the road from where we are, that EF-4 tornado that ripped through the community and killed two people.

That's what people are talking about. That's what they're dealing with now. You know, I want to bring you sort of a good story out here. It will start sort of bad, let me explain. Because Caleb Allison, your home was destroyed. Just lives right down the road. Talk to us about what you're dealing with right now.

CALEB ALLISON, LOST HOME IN TORNADO: Well, right now we're just trying to deal with all the insurance and all the kind of red tape that's going through to try to get our home repaired and it's kind of frustrating and confusing at times and then we had all this debris that's sitting around in our yard, inside our home, glass shattered everywhere and it's - who's going to come get it? Who's going to come pick it up? Even our insurance company said, you could pay someone to do it but it might take days before they can come out here.

HOWELL: Caleb, you teach Spanish?

ALLISON: Yes, I'm a Spanish teacher at Westmore High School here at Moore public schools.

HOWELL: And that kind of brings us into this big crowd of people behind Caleb. So talk to us about who all these people are. We just saw this earlier. Talk to us about this.

ALLISON: Well, my wife's also a teacher. She's a music teacher at Heritage Trails Elementary. And all these people, they are students of ours from both West Moore and from Heritage Trails Elementary. They are PTA members, they are teachers from West Moore, teachers from Heritage Trails and as well as teachers from other schools that are just in our district. We have friends and family that have come here, too. We probably had 70 to 80 people in our front yard and we cleaned it in a matter of 30 minutes.

HOWELL: That's amazing. You know, that's really what you see out here. That's the good side of this story. There are so many people just driving down the road looking to find places where they can help. Morgan Delong we're going to bring you in also. So talk to me about what it is like. Tell me what what it is like to be out here to help people start over.

MORGAN DELONG, SURVIVED TORNADO: Well, at West Moore it is family and it is that way throughout Moore public schools. We're just here trying to help out wherever we can. Most of our houses weren't hit so it is our turn to return that blessing and help people out. It is incredible to be around all the faculty members and other students. It is amazing just to look out and see how our community is coming together.

HOWELL: Can we pan over and just take a look at all these people. How many people were out here earlier today helping? This is just some of them. Right?

DELONG: Yes, this is just some of them. I mean I would say like 50- plus people have been out like throughout the day. So it's awesome.

HOWELL: It's amazing.

DELONG: Yes.

HOWELL: Thank you. Thank you so much. You know, this is what you see. This is just one home. More than 20 people? Yes?

DELONG: Yes.

HOWELL: A lot of people helping Caleb. That's really what you find out here, Fred, people helping people to start the process of cleaning all of this debris out so that these residents can start to rebuild.

WHITFIELD: Right. So much damage no matter what direction you look. 12,000 homes damaged. 1,200 that were destroyed. George Howell right there in Moore, Oklahoma where the community is trying to come together after that deadly storm. 24 lives were claimed from that tornado as well. All right. Now let's move on to another deadly natural disaster. That in the form of flooding in San Antonio, Texas. This is what the area looked like yesterday after nearly 10 inches of rain. Two women died after being swept away by floodwaters. Rescue crews are searching for a 17-year-old boy now. This morning San Antonio's mayor told CNN that the floodwaters are receding.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR JULIAN CASTRO, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (ON THE PHONE): Today it is looking a lot better because there wasn't much of any rain last night. At one point late yesterday the National Weather Service had been predicting that there might be one to two inches of rain. But that didn't happen. So today it is looking a lot better.

Most of the streets are clear with the exception of a couple of the highways that go through low water crossing areas that are still being worked on.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Much improved weather today. They got cloudy skies there in San Antonio but chances of a thunderstorm cannot be ruled out just yet.

Now on to Kentucky where a manhunt is under way for an alleged cop killer. Bards town police say an Officer Jason Ellis was gunned down this morning. His chief now has strong words for the suspect, words that may come back to haunt the chief. Here's Victor Puente of our affiliate WKYT.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VICTOR PUENTE, REPORTER WKYT (voice-over): Police say the call came in as a crash on the ramp but the first state trooper on the scene discovered that Ellis had been shot and killed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: His vehicle was parked on the exit ramp with his blue lights on in a manner to prevent traffic indicating that something was ahead.

PUENTE: But police don't know why officer Ellis stopped.

We have no radio communication from him to our dispatch center. So why that is we don't know at this point.

PUENTE: Ellis had been with the department for seven years. He was their canine officer. He leaves behind a wife and two sons.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We lost an officer and a family lost a son, a husband. A dad. We lost a member of our community, one of the thin, blue line that protects them.

PUENTE: This is video of Ellis from earlier this year when he was interviewed by a Louisville television station. Ellis' chief made no effort to hide his feelings about the person responsible. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can assure you, we won't give up on this person until we have them either in custody or in the front sight of one of our weapons and I personally hope the latter is the choice.

PUENTE (on camera): Ellis was pretty heavily involved with Nelson County's little league program. One of the officials from that program told me, "We are devastated at the loss of our friend and coach. We're all taking it pretty hard. We don't think it would be appropriate at this time to make more of a comment out of respect for his wife Amy, his children and the law enforcement community."

In Nelson County, Victor Puente, WKYT.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: On to Oregon now, police will use sniffer dogs to search a school for explosives before students return to class on Tuesday. A 17-year-old boy has been arrested for allegedly planning to attack his classmates with bombs. Authorities found napalm, pipe and drain cleaner bombs hidden in the floorboard compartment of the boy's bedroom. Grant (INAUDIBLE) is set to appear in court Tuesday as he will be charged as an adult with attempted aggravated murder.

As the folks in Oklahoma continue to dig out they are getting some advice from people who have gone through what they are facing right now.

CNN's Joe Johns reports that East Coast victims of Super storm Sandy are telling them don't give up.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Seven months after Super storm Sandy tore through Long Beach, Long Island, Fran Adelson is about to rebuilt her home. Four feet of water caused so much damage that she decided, like many of her neighbors, to raise the house on a concrete platform. What caused the delay, a protracted battle with her insurance carrier.

FRAN ADELSON, LONG BEACH RESIDENT: Seven months later this is what's going on. Not just for me, for everybody else. It's been nothing but frustration. Nobody ever expected that it would take this long. Nobody ever expected. You figure, OK, a couple of months but then time goes on and time goes on and you just - the money is coming too late. It's coming too late for a lot of people.

JOHNS: Super storm Sandy didn't claim any lives here in Long Beach, but it affected nearly every one of the 35,000 residents. A quarter of the population is still displaced and businesses are still shuttered as Memorial Day marks the beginning of the summer tourist season.

The city has been famous for its boardwalk and its surfing. The iconic boardwalk is being rebuilt and the waves are still breaking. But Luke Hamlet who has run the Long Beach Surf Shop for 32 years says the town still feels empty. LUKE HAMLET, OWNER, LONG BEACH SURF SHOP: There's still a little weird feeling going on in town. People are rebuilding still. People are waiting for insurance money, for SBA money.

JOHNS: In Hamlet's case, insurance didn't cover his losses from flooding and the government programs didn't do much to help him reopen his doors. What mattered in the end was his own sweat equity.

HAMLET We spent five months demoing everything down to the brick, down to the original ceilings, down to the floors. Then we just put it back together just - my family and kids that work with me.

JOHNS: Along Beach Street the doughnut is back in business. Swing Belly's barbecue reopened this weekend. For Fran Adelson, the lessons of Sandy are that communities, whether on Long Island or Oklahoma, shouldn't lose faith in their struggle to rebuild.

ADELSON: I would say fight for every dime, every single dime from the insurance companies. Do not stop, be tenacious. I don't care if you need to have it, become your second full time job. Do it, go for it, you deserve it. You've been paying insurance all along. Do not stop until you get what you deserve, until you are able to rebuild an get back in your home.

JOHNS: The people of Long Beach say their greatest asset in rebuilding came not from the federal government or the insurance industry but their own tight knit community.

Joe Johns, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: The changing war on terror. Are home grown extremists the real threat now? Peter Bergen weighs in on that and reacts to the president's new strategy to keep America safe.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: The family of a murdered British soldier made an emotional visit today to the spot where he was killed. Lee Rigby was stabbed to death on a London street near a military barracks last week. Two men were arrested at the scene. Since British police reopened the area to the public, thousands of people have visited the site leaving flowers and other tributes.

And there has been another attack on a soldier. This time in France. French police are searching for a man who stabbed a soldier in the neck yesterday outside Paris and then fled. France's defense ministry says the suspect was looking to kill a French soldier. The 23-year-old victim is in the hospital and he is expected to recover.

So these two attacks follow comments last week by President Obama. He said terrorism is here to stay but how the country deals with it, well that is what's changing. CNN national security analyst Peter Bergen joining me now. So Peter, you wrote on CNN.com this week that you agree the traditional war on terror is over. Why is it you agree with that?

PETER BERGEN, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: I think the president was making the argument, the speech that he gave on Thursday was the first time that he's ever really addressed the whole terrorism issue. Across the board from how Al Qaeda's doing, detention policies at Guantanamo, drone strikes, the kind of war we're fighting. And you know, I think what he was trying to prep the public for and also the political process for was winding down the state of war that we've been in since 9/11.

With the authorization for the use of military force that basically allowed George W. Bush to go into Afghanistan and then also was the kind of authorization that has allowed counter terrorism operations in other parts of the world. I think the president was making the case that because Al Qaeda is basically severely weakened, it is time for us to sort of have a discussion about ending this sort of quasi permanent state of war, and when that congressional authorization expires in 2014 when combat troops are out of Afghanistan it shouldn't be renewed. He said he would actually, you know, he wouldn't sign into law something that was proposed that would extend the conflict.

WHITFIELD: If you look at this recent spate of incidents, whether it be in France, in Britain, and then even in Boston and many analysts would declare them as, you know, domestic terrorism. Is it your feeling that at least here in the United States that there is a greater concentration now on trying to thwart domestic terrorism, identify it before it happens?

BERGEN: Yes, sure. United States has devoted a huge amount of resources to preventing terrorism incidents particularly after 9/11. If you think about where we were on 9/11, there were 16 people on the no-fly list on 9/11. Now there are 20,000. On 9/11 there was no TSA. On 9/11 there was no Department of Homeland Security which is the second largest government department. On 9/11 the FBI and CIA barely spoke to each other. On 9/11 there were very few joint terrorism task forces.

I mean there is a huge effort. In fact, you know, Boston is sort of exceptional. It is the first time the jihadi terrorists motivated by Jihadi ideology have struck in the United States for 12 years. It is inevitable that terrorism, that you know, somebody will get through, doesn't matter how good your defenses are, at some point. But the point is that because of the work of a lot of people in the U.S. government we have been pretty safe.

WHITFIELD: Peter Bergen, thanks so much, good to see you. Joining us from Washington.

And this program reminder, Peter's book, "Manhunt the 10-year search for Bin Laden" was the basis for the HBO documentary and you can see that documentary right here on CNN tomorrow night 9:00 Eastern Time. "Manhunt."

All right. A seventh-grader who is now a hero after helping his classmates survive the Oklahoma tornado, he returns to his destroyed school and recounts that harrowing ordeal. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: We're learning more now about the controversy involving the Justice Department's seizure of journalist's phone record. Our crime and justice correspondent Joe Johns has details now.

JOHNS: Fred, new details are surfacing that the parent company of Fox News was aware years ago that the Justice Department was targeting one of its reporters in a leak investigation, something Fox News has acknowledged only now. This comes after a law enforcement source told CNN that the Justice Department notified a media organization almost three years ago of a subpoena for detailed television record and a second source told CNN that organization was Fox News.

After news of the subpoena broke Saturday, a Fox News executive told CNN the outlet's parent company, News Corporation was notified of the subpoena by the Justice Department in May 2010 but Fox News apparently never got the word. Fox and other news organizations have been highly critical of the Justice Department's aggressive pursuit of leak investigations involving reporters but Fox has said nothing about the 2010 subpoena.

That subpoena was part of an investigation of Stephen Kim, a former State Department worker accused of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information to Fox correspondent, James Rosen. One law enforcement source told CNN, "In the investigation that led to the indictment of Stephen Kim, the government issued subpoenaed for toll records for five phone numbers associated with the media. Consistent with Department of Justice policies and procedures, the government provided notification of those subpoenas nearly three years ago by certified mail, facsimile and e-mail."

Up until now the focus of this controversy has been on a separate search warrant for the personal e-mails of James Rosen, something Fox News indicated it learned of just recently and while Fox News is now acknowledging that the Justice Department notified its parent company about the phone record search that notice apparently did not include anything about the separate search of Rosen's e-mail. Fred?

WHITFIELD: Thanks so much, Joe Johns.

Oklahoma's governor says her top priority right now is cutting through the red tape to get assistance to tornado victims fast. She hopes the federal government will help in that effort. Governor Mary Fallin toured the damage, in Moore today alongside President Barack Obama. She said earlier she has been grateful for the federal response so far, but with thousands of homes damaged, everyone knows it will be a very long road to recovery.

There are a host of amazing stories of bravery coming out of Oklahoma, from that tornado disaster, like the one about a seventh-grader who became a hero when the circumstances demanded it. Our Nick Valencia caught up with him.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As he walked through the rubble of his now-leveled school, 13-year-old Dylan Ellis was bewildered.

DYLAN ELLIS, STUDENT: Look at that. That's destroyed.

VALENCIA: It was the first time he had been back since the tornado struck.

ELLIS: I don't know how we survived this.

VALENCIA: He remembers taking shelter in the middle school locker room.

ELLIS: Right here.

VALENCIA: He remembers being surrounded by the cries and screams of 50 children.

ELLIS: Lights went off. You could hear it hit the building. Like loud. Then it takes off our roof.

VALENCIA: No one was killed when the tornado destroyed Highland East Middle School, but this wasn't just a miracle.

DIANE LEE, STUDENT: Isn't the choir room gone?

ELLIS: Yes, the choir room is gone.

VALENCIA: Quietly standing next to him is his 12-year-old classmate, seventh-grader Diane Lee. On Monday Dylan probably saved her life.

(on camera): Did you feel like you were going to get suck away?

LEE: Yes, I felt like the wind around me was like going in circles and everything and the ground was underneath me anymore and he held on to my hand.

ELLIS: I see her start to go up. I jump on her. Lay on her and then grab on to the bottom of these lockers that were inside the ground. Then once it is over I push her out of the way and then all of the debris starts to hit me.

VALENCIA: How did you think so fast? How did you know to do what you did?

ELLIS: I just thought of her as my family what would I do if they started to go up? Didn't think. Just did it.

VALENCIA: How happy are you that he did?

LEE: I'm really happy or else I probably wouldn't be here.

VALENCIA (voice-over): Already best friend since the start of the school year, Dylan and Diane say the tornado has brought them even closer. LEE: Can't believe we were actually in there and actually got out and he helped me.

VALENCIA (on camera): How do you do in school?

ELLIS: Decent. I think I do OK.

VALENCIA: Middle school years are tough, even without a tornado. But Dylan and Diane have ended this semester with an important lesson - that in your darkest hour, friendship will see you through.

Nick Valencia, CNN, Moore, Oklahoma.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And country star Toby Keith well he returns home to Moore, Oklahoma. He sees his old neighborhood in shambles but remains optimistic. Hear how he thinks Moore will rebuild, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: President Barack Obama saw firsthand the heartbreaking destruction left by a tornado in Moore, Oklahoma. He toured devastated neighborhoods giving hugs and shaking hand. He also saw the Plaza Towers elementary school where seven children died. And he met with first responders. The president said everyone is proud of them and the work that they do and he wants people in Moore to know the nation has their backs.

On to San Antonio, Texas now, where two women are dead after being swept away by floodwaters. About ten inches of rain swamped the area over the last two days. Crews are now searching for a 17-year-old boy. Floodwaters are receding today and the weather is clearing up.

And overseas in Paris thousands of protesters gathered in the city. They demonstrated against the passage of a law allowing same-sex marriage in France. People were also showing their frustration with the French president. He made legalizing gay marriage one of his main campaign promises in last year's election.

This week in this country, the Boy Scouts of America voted to end its ban on gay scouts. But they will still allow gay and lesbian leaders. The boy scouts' 1,400 voting members approved the change with more than 60 percent of the vote.

Our Victor Blackwell has details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Success for the men and women in this room in grapevine, Texas. Across the street, 1,400 members of boy scouts of America voted to allow gay youth to be scouts, but not gay adults.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have got hundreds of volunteers ready to do the next step for you. BLACKWELL: Jennifer Tyrell was a scout leader until the organization expelled her from being gay.

JENNIFER TYRELL, FORMER SCOUT LEADER: I'm so emotional because I have literally given my life to make sure that no other people can enjoy scouting. People say why scouting and why do you want to be part of an organization that doesn't want you? Well, we love scouting and we believe in the program other than this policy.

BLACKWELL: In a 58-page report released in the lead-up to the report, Boy Scout executives acknowledge that attitudes and opinions of Americans related to gay and lesbian relationships have changed rapidly over the last three years.

WAYNE PERRY, PRESIDENT, BOY SCOUT OF AMERICA: No matter how you feel about this issue, kids are bitter off in scouting. Our vision is to serve every kid. We want every kid to have a place where they belong to learn and grow and feel protected.

BLACKWELL: But Boy Scout youth membership has dropped considerably since 1999 and the decision has also provoked a backlash. Fred Blanton is the founder of the national right to marriage. He says the change hurts the family structure.

FRED BLANTON, FOUNDER, NATIONAL RIGHT TO MARRIAGE: How would you feel as a parent sending your child to an organization where they're going to be sleeping over at night, where they are going to be going out and camping?

BLACKWELL: Scout executives think the decision will play differently across the country. The southern district expects a financial loss of $18 million. Nearly all charter groups in Utah and Idaho are expected to leave the organization. They are led by members of the Mormon Church.

However, the northeast region expects an increase in corporate funding. The policy will become scout law January 1st to allow the group time to reconcile, although neither side expects it to be easy.

BLANTON: Why change this organization? This is a private organization. Start your own organization.

PERRY: This is a challenging and complex area. It is a very difficult decision for a lot of people. But we are moving forward together.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLACKWELL: But not everyone is feeling that unifying spirit. Religious leaders and former scouts are now promoting an organization called faith-based boys. Their organization says its members are called to strive for heterosexual marriage only -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right, Victor Blackwell, thank you so much for that.

All right, let's take a look at some of the stories that are trending online.

With a daring move in the last few laps, Tony Kanaan of Brazil won the Indianapolis 500 this afternoon. The race featured a roar 68 lead changes.

Actress Amanda Bynes says she was sexually harassed by the police officer who arrested her last week. The cops were called to her building in New York after someone smelled marijuana. She is charged with, among other things, reckless endangerment and possession of marijuana ending up in court there with a pretty dramatic wig. Bynes tweeted, don't believe any report.

The latest "Fast and Furious" movie has raced to the top of the box office according to box office mojo. The film earned more than $98 million so far this weekend, and that's just in the U.S. worldwide the movie raked in more than $275 million.

All right, country singer Toby Keith grew up in Moore, Oklahoma. Anderson Cooper joined him on the ground as he helps with recovery efforts after the tornado.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR, AC360: What is it like for to you see this place like this?

TOBY KEITH, SINGER: Isn't nothing I haven't seen before, growing up here my whole life, 35, 40 years, we have seen this a lot. And so, it's pretty much gets you right here every time. My sister, sister- in-law, my niece all got had hit. If you lose everything, that's pretty much a strike. And then obviously losing a loved one, it is just devastating.

COOPER: Can this place rebuild?

KEITH: Yes. This will be vibrant, rocking. A lot of these people you see around here working are -- first responders get in, take care of the necessary stuff. People get out, they bring water and shoes and transportation. They pitch together and this thing will just pop right back up.

Hey, this is Toby Keith. Find out how you can help the tornado disaster, go to CNN.com/impact. You can help.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right, and a young girl who could have just a few weeks to live is now waiting for a lung transplant but her age is hurting her chances of getting that life saving operation. We will explain why.

And paying tribute to the nation's fallen heroes one step at a time.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Two thousand miles in 27 days. That's how far one group of veterans is walking to remind communities that Memorial Day isn't just about the start of summer. Members of a charitable organization called Carry the Load are near the finish point of their journey in Texas. They are walking to pay tribute to our nation's fallen heroes. The group has raised more than one million dollars for families of the fallen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER TRAVIS MANN, U.S. NAVY: This is the second year of the national relay. Start from west point, New York and head down to Dallas, Texas. Two thousand miles, we do that in 27 days with a mission to get the word out about Memorial Day. We got about 348 legs, each leg is about five miles.

BOB BAGOSY, PARTICIPANT: I'm here for my son. My son was Sergeant Thomas Robert Bagosy was I called him Tommy and he was a United States marine corp.

KATIE BAGOSY, WIDOW: He was stationed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and he served in Iraq an Afghanistan. Tom actually took his own life on Camp Lejeune, May 10th, 2010. I think that a lot of people think of Memorial Day as the start of summer and we don't really remember what the actual meaning is. So I think that it's really great to get out there and just show everybody, look, there are people who are dying for your freedom so that you can celebrate and enjoy your summer and your barbecues.

BOB BAGOSY: We all belong to a club nobody wants to belong to. It's nobody wants to lose anybody to become part of this.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We kind of want memorial day to turn into memorial may. When you see those families walk legs with us, you're seeing the children and holding a hand on a five-mile leg, talking to them about their dad, that to me is tough, but in the same breath it also lets me know that they're not forgotten.

KATIE BAGOSY: Tom was a very good man. He was great. He went to war and he went back again and he knew what he was getting into.

BOB BAGOSY: He was a great marine. He was a wonderful father and a good husband to his wife and I miss him. So this is my way of saying hey, Tom, I'm still here.

His dog tag. He used to carry it in his boot when he died so it is close to my heart.

MANN: As our legs get tire and our feet are sore, that pales in comparison to what people have done overseas.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thanks for coming out.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Travis, man.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thanks for coming out, guys. You want me to carry one of the flags?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, all right.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When it gets heavy, you just let me know. All right?

TOMMY GALLARDA, TIGHT END, ATLANTA FALCONS: It's across America that people have served. It is not just from one specific part of the country. It is from all cities, small towns that have gone overseas or wherever they have been located at. So, I think it is all of America coming together. It is showing as they go through these communities, it doesn't matter which leg that you're at but just that you can come out and, you know, show respect and really thank them for what they are doing. It doesn't matter exactly where they're from. It's just something to show your respect with.

BOB BAGOSY: Carry this flag during this parade. I call it a parade. It is a small parade but I just think that it is -- I don't know -- it's just one of these things that I feel like I'm doing something for Tom.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And to learn more about the national relay, visit www.carrytheload.org.

Well today, we have been showcasing U.S. veterans from wars in Afghanistan and Iraq who have sacrificed their lives. This hour, two more, 23-year-old Trevor Johnson, the marine from Montana, was trying to defuse a roadside bomb in Afghanistan's Helmand province when it exploded in January 2009. And 19-year-old Kevin Cardoza, the Texas soldier was one of 5 killed earlier this month when a roadside bomb hit their vehicle in Afghanistan's Kandahar province.

For more logon to CNN.com and join us in honoring the memory of 100 soldiers in 100 hours.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi, Sarah.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi, mommy.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What you doing?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Nubby.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why are you with Nubby?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because of my CF.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What does Nubby do for you?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It like clears my lungs.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. So, you can breathe? UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: That is 10-year-old Sarah and her mom, Janet. And as you saw, Sarah is very sick and she may only have weeks left to live. Sarah was born with cystic fibrosis. It clogs her lungs and digestive sys system. Sarah needs a lung transplant immediately, but as her parents only recently learned, Sarah's age makes that incredibly difficult.

Now, the family is trying to change the rules that govern lung donations for young children. If not in time to help their daughter, then perhaps for others like her.

Here's CNN's Zain Asher.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SARAH MURNAGHAN, 10-YEARS-OLD: Twinkle, twinkle little star.

ZAIN ASHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): 10 year-old Sarah Murnaghan wants to be a singer. Her mother says if she gets a new pair of lungs in the next few weeks, her dream could one day be a reality.

JANET MURNAGHAN, MOTHER: I'm not going to tell her she is 9 because she is 10.

ASHER: Sarah was born with cystic fibrosis, an illness that's damaged her lungs beyond repair.

SARAH MURNAGHAN: I used to go to school before I got oxygen.

FRAN MURNAGHAN, FATHER: We knew at some point she would need new lungs. We had hoped it would be much, much further down the road, but over the years her disease has progressed.

ASHER: If Sarah was 12-years-old, she would have a higher chance of receiving adult's lungs. But since she is only 10, she primarily has access to children is lungs which are in much shorter supply.

JANET MURNAGHAN: That's insane. It shouldn't be about their age. If she's the sickest person, she should qualify.

ASHER: Under the rules, the only way Sarah could receive an adult's lung to save her life is if all the other patients in her region who were aged 12 and older turned it down first.

DOCTOR STUART SWEET, BOARD MEMBER, UNITED NETWORK FOR ORGAN SHARING: It tugs at my heart. It is not a perfect system. There is no perfect system. It is the best we can do right now.

ASHER: Dr. Stuart Sweet is a board member at the united network for organ sharing. He helped write the pediatric transplant rules. SWEET: If I change the system to give Sarah an advantage, there is another patient very likely an adolescent who then gets a disadvantage. As we built a system that we try to be as fair to everyone as possible.

ASHER: Sarah now has three to five weeks to live.

JANET MURNAGHAN: But it is so hard to get pediatric lungs.

ASHER: Her mother is still working on a solution. Her options though are limited.

JANET MURNAGHAN: Maybe it's too late for Sarah. I don't know. But it's not right. I'm going to fight for the next person's kid.

ASHER: Sarah still has hope.

SARAH MURNAGHAN: I'm not going for easy. I'm just going for possible.

ASHER: The possibility of living and maybe one day realizing her dreams.

Zain Asher, Philadelphia. CNN

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And Sarah's parents are urging transplant officials to change the policy that they believe limits young children's access to adult donor lungs. They set up a petition at change.org, search Sarah Murnaghan at the top of the page. Right now, Sarah's petition is the most popular one on the site. Sarah's mom also has a facebook page devoted to her daughter's fight for survival. It is at facebook.com/janet.murnaghan.

And there are currently 118,000 people, like Sarah, waiting for organ transplants in the United States. And you can find out more information about organ donation and transplant, you can go to the Web site organdonor.gov.

All right, it is decision time at the U.S. Supreme Court. The justices are about to issue rulings on several big cases. Hear how their opinions will affect millions of Americans live.

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WHITFIELD: It is decision time at the U.S. Supreme Court. The justices are about to issue rulings in several big cases.

Athena Jones reports on the decisions that could impact every American.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From now until the end of June, the Supreme Court is expected to rule on big issues, affirmative action and same-sex marriage.

TOM GOLDSTEIN, CO-FOUNDER, SCOTUS BLOG: It's almost unimaginable the number of things the Supreme Court's going to decide that affect all Americans in the next month.

JONES: First up could be whether public schools can consider race when admitting students. Abigail Fisher sued the University of Texas arguing she was rejected because she is white.

ABIGAIL FISHER, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAINTIFF: I hope the court rules that a student's race and ethnicity should not be considered when applying to the University of Texas.

JONES: The school says race is one of many factors it uses to achieve diversity on campus. Court watchers say Anthony Kennedy could side with conservative justices to overturn or limit a major Supreme Court decision from ten years ago that allowed affirmative action. The justices are also dealing with another hot button issue -- same-sex marriage.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Marriage is between one man and one woman. You guys won't accept it.

JONES: Considering whether California's proposition 8 ban is unconstitutional and in the second case, it is the defense of marriage act can deny same-sex couples the same federal benefits as heterosexual ones.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it is going to be good.

JONES: That case was brought by Edith Winzer (ph), a New York woman who had to pay higher estate taxes after her wife died than someone in a heterosexual marriage would have.

GOLDSTEIN: I think it is likely in the defense of marriage act case that the Supreme Court will invalidate the federal law that says we won't recognize state same-sex marriages. But in the California Proposition 8 case, the justices seem unlikely to require under the constitution every state to recognize same-sex marriage. The ruling may not be a huge gay rights victory at all but I doubt it is going to be a significant loss either.

JONES: Another case involves the kind of genetic testing that led actress Angelina Jolie to undergo a double mastectomy. The court is considering whether human genes, so-called products of nature, can be patented.

Athena Jones, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And veterinarians in Oklahoma are doing work they could never have imagined trying to save the lives of hundreds of horses critically wounded in the tornado. Emotional toll it is taking on the vets as well as the horse owners in the next hour of the CNN NEWSROOM.

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