President Prepares for Memorial Day Ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING for 24th day of May. Hello to you all. I'm T.J. Holmes.</s>ALINA CHO, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, it is the 24th of May. Good morning, everybody. I'm Alina Cho. Betty has the morning off.</s>HOLMES: Let's show you what we got ahead today. I think we have a live picture for you there this morning from Arlington National Cemetery. We will take a look at the work and dedication that goes into caring for the fallen heroes.</s>CHO: And how about this for a story? You're going to meet that lady there. She's a former stripper-turned-author. The brain child of something called "Operation Bombshell." Lily Burana is her name. She teaches what's billed as the only burlesque class for military lives and she's going to join me live and tell you why they need to find the bombshell within.</s>HOLMES: The only one, huh? I can't believe there aren't more, huh? Well, also, a bizarre story. This is strange here, folks. You got to see this and a bit disturbing. This is out of Seattle, where a group of elementary girls created a cartoon that shows them killing a classmate. We will share this story with you later this hour.</s>CHO: And you're going to meet Piper, too -- an adorable little girl. But we're going to get to our top story now. Is the third time a charm? Will the space shuttle Atlantis finally land today? And will it happen in California or Florida? Of course, it always depends on the weather and NASA says for now, "It's iffy."</s>HOLMES: Yes. And, Alina, as she just said, they finally get to land because the landing has been pushed back two days straight. They were trying on Friday, tried it again yesterday, going to try it again this morning. NASA says that while the shuttle could -- if it had to -- stay up in space until Monday, they don't want to do that. So, it will land today. We just don't know where yet. Either it's going to be in Florida, but also a chance Edwards Air Force Base in California, if necessary.</s>CHO: Now, I'll break it down for you. The first opportunity for the shuttle Atlantis to land is in Kennedy Space Center in Florida. That comes at 10:09 Eastern Time. If the weather is not cooperating by then, the next landing opportunity will be out west, Edwards Air Force Base in California, that's late in the 11 o'clock Eastern hour. But no matter which landing site NASA picks, CNN will bring it to you live or we're going to bring it to you live tomorrow if it happens then.</s>HOLMES: Whenever they land, they decide to land, Reynolds, we're going to bring it to him.</s>CHO: Keep it here.</s>HOLMES: But should we have our cameras, what do you think, fixed on Florida or should we have them fixed on California, Reynolds?</s>REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It really is going to be a coin toss.</s>CHO: Oh, really?</s>WOLF: It really is. I got to tell you, we had a shot out of Orlando a while ago and skies are relatively clear, but the thing is, you take a look what's happening right along the coast, you have a string of storms that have been popping up, just some showers that have been just trading right off the coast. And the number one goal they have at NASA is to ensure the safe return of the crew. They want everyone to be safe. So, if things are not going to be picture perfect here in Florida, well, they are going for Edwards Air Force Base. Obviously, more expensive, but, at the same time, it's going to get them back safely. Hey, take a look what we have on the national perspective. We've been talking about the rain they've been getting in Florida. Some places over two feet of rain just this past week alone. That's going to continue through a good part of the day. We're also going to see plenty of rainfall across much of the southeast. When you get into the Great Lakes, some sporadic activity there, and the same is true over the Rockies, but relatively dry out towards the west. Let's expand this shot over here, that shows you that we're going to see more of this as we get into tomorrow. So, for Memorial Day, look for the rain to continue in the southeast, including Florida. But in the Great Lakes, in the northeast, high pressure is going to be moving into the region. What that's going to do is it's going to have a calming effect on the atmosphere, giving you plenty blue skies for places like New York, for Boston, for Detroit and Michigan, even over towards Chicago. Out to the west, same deal. But in the center of the nation, it looks like it's going to be umbrella weather for you for the Northern Plains, back to Fargo down to parts of Nebraska and into Texas and, of course, the gulf coast, the showers will continue. That is a look at your forecast. Guys, let's toss it back to you, guys.</s>CHO: It always depends on where you are, right?</s>WOLF: You bet. It always does.</s>CHO: OK. Thank you.</s>HOLMES: Thanks, buddy. Well, Memorial Day, of course, is time to honor those who have served this country. For years, the public wasn't allowed to see the coffins of the fallen as they returned home.</s>CHO: That's right. But a policy change, as many people know, means cameras are now allowed inside Dover Air Force Base. And as Chris Lawrence learns firsthand, caring for the dead is something the military takes very seriously.</s>CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When you handle the remains of a fellow soldier, you don't flinch and barely blink.</s>SPEC. WILBERT STEINBORN, U.S. ARMY: The standard is zero, unless the command is given, you do not move.</s>LAWRENCE: Soldiers Will Steinborn and Brenton Bush are part of the army's old guard.</s>PFC. BRENTON BUSH, U.S. ARMY: The position that I'm in, I don't even have handles. I'm just carrying from the bottom of the case.</s>LAWRENCE: A case packed with ice and the soldier's body weighing up to 500 pounds.</s>STEINBORN: Your fingers more hurt than become numb. We wear white ceremonial gloves on a cold steel transfer case, and it's almost like pins and needles.</s>LAWRENCE: But the grip is firm, eyes straight, jaw tight.</s>STEINBORN: If you learn how to keep your mouth closed throughout a yawn. You learn how to control coughing fits.</s>LAWRENCE: Each branch has its own team, but they all take service member's remain from the plane as part of a dignified transfer process. Some days are quiet and peaceful in Iraq or Afghanistan. (on camera): And when it's violent there, several bodies are brought here to Dover. The team never makes eye contact with anyone. But they know the families are watching.</s>STEINBORN: It was very emotional. I mean, I don't know if it was sadness or pride or what, but it was -- honestly, the most difficult and touching thing that I have ever done.</s>LAWRENCE (voice-over): Not that it shows. They call it the locked up -- what they feel, we don't see.</s>BUSH: For instance, I wanted to sneeze since I started talking with you, but I just won't do it because it's just become a creator of habit.</s>LAWRENCE: But even those trained to kill can only see so much death.</s>STEINBORN: I mean, we're soldiers, too. I mean, we're infantrymen. We could easily be in their place. We went through the same training that these men did. It's hard, because you honestly think, you know, you see your wife or your girlfriend sitting where the next</s>LAWRENCE (on camera): The teams don't get a lot of information about the soldier who's died. Sometimes, a name and rank, sometimes not. But they all say they prefer it that way -- that knowing each and every soldier personally would make the job too hard. Chris Lawrence, CNN, Dover, Delaware.</s>HOLMES: And meanwhile, the president, this weekend, is spending some time at Camp David with his family. We know he'll be back on Monday to participate in that annual tradition, essentially, of the president laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery -- also be making some comments there. CNN will bring that to you live. Meanwhile, the work does continue for the president, one of the things at the top of his agenda is finding a replacement for Supreme Court Justice David Souter. Well, we could hear an announcement as early as Tuesday. CNN deputy political director Paul Steinhauser is joining us now from Washington. Paul, first of all, who is it? I'm just teasing.</s>HOLMES: I'm sorry, man -- just throwing you off there.</s>PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Ssshh!</s>HOLMES: But no, really, the time line at least is pretty important here. He's not just trying to pacify everybody and put a name out there, he needs to get a name out there fairly quickly.</s>STEINHAUSER: Yes, and he talked about this during an interview with C-SPAN. Yes, it could come -- people think it come up either this week or the beginning of the following week, before he leaves for Egypt, Germany and France on a trip. If it has to, I guess it could come right after he gets back from his overseas trip. But the thought process and the president said that he wants to get a name out pretty soon because he wants the Senate nomination -- the Senate confirmation process to get under way. And he would like the Senate to confirm whomever he nominates by the end of July or early August, before the Senate leaves on its long summer recess. Why? He wants his person in place well before the next Supreme Court session begins -- and that begins, of course, the first Monday in October,</s>T.J. HOLMES: I joked with you earlier that the president, on this pick at least, men need not apply. People seem to be -- the conventional wisdom some would say is that he will nominate a female judge. But in an interview this weekend, he thunk a little bit about who he might pick and that demographic is not the home to anything. Let's take a quick listen. (</s>BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, C-SPAN) PRES. BARACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES: Actually, I can't tell you the number of women, including Michelle, who say choose the person you think who is going to be best. If I, you know, if I end up having more than one nominee, I'm pretty confident that, you know, there would be reflected there some diversity. I think, on any given pick, my job is to just find somebody who I think is going to make a -- make a difference on the courts and look after the interests of the American people. And so, I don't feel weighed down by having to choose a Supreme Court Justice based on demographics. I certainly think that, ultimately, we want a Supreme Court that is reflective of the incredible variety of the American people.</s>HOLMES: And, Paul, we know there are certain segments -- certain groups who, of course, pushing the president to do one thing or another. But as a whole and in general, what about the American public?</s>STEINHAUSER: Yes, you're right. There is a lot of pressure. You mentioned women's groups -- of course, there's only one woman on the High Court right now. There used to be two. Hispanic groups would like to make history to name the first Latino or Hispanic to the High Court. And African-Americans would like a black president to name the first another black man or woman to the High Court. But take a look at this. Americans seem to agree with the president. Only four in 10 said it's important. They think it's important that the president name a woman. Twenty-six percent say Hispanic, and only 22 percent say African-American. What is important to Americans? Take a look at our next question right here. You can see -- nine out of 10 say it's important whoever the president nominates, that person has experience as a judge; about half of Americans think it's important for somebody to have elected experience, elected office experience,</s>T.J. HOLMES: All right. So, it may come on Tuesday. We are standing by. Paul Steinhauser for us from Washington this weekend -- always good to see you, buddy. Enjoy the rest of your Memorial Day weekend.</s>STEINHAUSER: Thanks,</s>T.J. CHO: A graduation party turned deadly outside Phoenix, Arizona. That standoff in Mesa is now over. But here's what happened: Police say a man got into a fight and shot and killed two adults. Five others were injured, including a 10- year-old and a police officer. After holding police in a standoff, the man eventually gave himself up. And a mother in Portland, Oregon, is facing some serious charges this morning. Police say she threw her two children into a river, killing one of them. Witnesses apparently heard the children scream before daybreak Saturday morning and called police. The body of the woman's 4-year-old son was pulled from the river about an hour later. Her 7-year-old daughter was rescued. She is in serious condition. The community is in shock. (</s>BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, KPTV) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's basically complete shock.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My heart hurts because of the children. I don't think a mother would do that. That's really out of character, especially being a mom myself.</s>CHO: Police say they found the suspect Amanda Jo Stott-Smith in a parking garage in downtown Portland. They have charged her with murder and attempted aggravated murder.</s>HOLMES: We turn to a British tabloid now. When you say that, you don't know what's coming next usually.</s>CHO: Well, you know it will be salacious and this one is.</s>HOLMES: It's pretty salacious stuff here. Fifteen hundred bucks, they say, is all it took to get an undercover reporter past security at Britain's Buckingham Palace.</s>CHO: Yes. Usually, you have to show a photo I.D., and here's the hidden camera video of the security breach at the queen's London residence that happened in the Royal Garage. London's News of the World" says it happened there. The reporter paid off a royal chauffeur, apparently, got a tour of the royal fleet and even sat inside one of the queen's cars. Can you imagine that? Buckingham Palace, as you might imagine, is investigating this.</s>HOLMES: Yes, you can't do that. I can't get into the presidential limo with 1,500 bucks here, can I?</s>CHO: No, you can't. A little different across the pond, apparently.</s>HOLMES: A little different.</s>CHO: Child's play or something much worse? Decide for yourself when you see "The kill Piper" cartoon. That's not it, but we'll show it to you. We're going to have the story for you and the story behind the video that made it on the YouTube. A lot of people are watching this and a lot of people talking about it.</s>HOLMES: Yes. Also, that video you were seeing, we're going to be talking about ...</s>CHO: That's Piper.</s>HOLMES: That's Piper there. Yes. That -- you remember that? The miracle on the Hudson, the plane that crash-landed earlier this year. Everybody got out OK. It was a miracle on the Hudson, celebrated the pilot. But you know what? Whatever happened to all of that luggage?</s>CHO: I want to know.