[Martin Savidge, Cnn Anchor:] You know, the Fourth of July traditionally is a time for families. My family's here right now. So getting together though for some has been tough, especially for a lot of folks this year. So we're very happy to help reunite at least for a few minutes over a satellite one military family from Savannah, Georgia. Kate Payne is holding down the fort there. Her husband, Captain Matthew Payne is on duty in Fallujah, Iraq. And also Kate in her arms is Carmen and Rosa Jeanne as well. It is wonderful to see this family reunited. And, Kate, I guess I just ask you how are you doing?
[Kate Payne, Military Wife:] Oh, we're doing very well, we're happy to be here today, just to be reunited on this Fourth of July.
[Savidge:] And captain, to hear family of yours so vocal in the background, how does it feel to see and hear them?
[Capt. Matthew Payne, U.s. Army:] I hear the kids. They sound good. It's good to hear their voices.
[Savidge:] How is the separation going for you, Captain? How long do you expect to continue to remain on duty there?
[M. Payne:] Well, we hope that we'll be home by the end of the month, if not early August. And everybody is dealing with it fairly well, we have a job to do and they keep us pretty busy out here. But we miss our families a lot. And we're mostly ready to get back home and see them.
[Savidge:] Kate, it must have been difficult when you heard their assignment had been extended. I'm wondering how does he look, and what are you thinking right now as you try to hold on?
[K. Payne:] We take it day by day, that's the best way to approach these deployment situations. We're proud to serve alongside our soldiers. Like I say, we just take it day by day, when they're home, we're here to greet them.
[Savidge:] How is he looking? Can you see him OK?
[K. Payne:] Oh, he looks great. Oh, he looks wonderful. Yes, it's wonderful to see him so up close.
[Savidge:] All right, well, I've gabbed enough. So why don't the two of you of you if you want with only a few of us listening in, want to talk to one another, go ahead, Kate. Is there something you want to tell the captain, your husband?
[K. Payne:] Excuse me for just a minute. Thank you, go over there with Mr. Jimmy, please. Bring your book.
[Savidge:] I've got a family at home. I understand full well. Captain, is there something you'd like to say to your wife as she literally holds down the home front there?
[M. Payne:] I'd like to say I'm very proud of you, Kate. I can't believe how many great things your doing back there in addition to raising our two daughters. And I can't tell how much I appreciate what you've done down there and allowed me to do my job because I have no concerns about how you're doing business back there. Thank you very much.
[K. Payne:] Well thank you, honey, we appreciate everything you're doing as well.
[Savidge:] What do you miss most, Kate, aside obviously from being with your husband physically on, a holiday like this, what do you think about?
[K. Payne:] I would say just at least on a practical side of things, having that extra set of hands around the house is so much a help. Matthew's what you might call the traditional side of the house squared away taking out the trash and doing the lawn and things like that. He's just wonderful. So that extra set of hands has really been missing these last nine months.
[Savidge:] Have you been very worried? The news coming out of Iraq lately has been troubling, and personally, it's got to be very distressing for you.
[K. Payne:] It is. I have a tendency not to watch the news. Our support system as I'm sure you're aware is very well connected and well networked. So if there is a concern, we will be well notified and trust our support system to work as it has been designed to do so.
[Savidge:] OK. Well I'm afraid we have to sort of bring this to an end. But I would like the two of you to at least have the final say with one another. So go ahead and maybe, Matthew, you want to start?
[M. Payne:] How are the girls doing?
[K. Payne:] They're fine. Carmen is I'm surprised she didn't want to give her latest rendition of the ABCs right here on CNN. She's doing wonderful. Counting, recognizing her colors. And Rosa Jeanne is starting to cruise, she's pulling up on the coffee table and starting to walk along. And I assure you, that I will push her down at every opportunity until you are home here. So we're all doing very well, just keeping those home fires burning and looking forward to when you get here.
[Savidge:] All right, well...
[M. Payne:] Thank you, I got the pictures the other day that you sent in the package.
[Savidge:] It takes a while to get mail through. I know does take a long time to get the mail through. We're going to leave you here. but you know what I think, actually? You communicate with each other perhaps after we get off air, and maybe that's some of the most important time can you spend with one another. But thank you for talking with us and thank you for letting us share a little of this hardship and a little bit of the, I guess the joy that comes with it, a temporary reunion via satellite. Kate Payne, thank you very much. Her children are Carmen and Rosa Jeanne, and husband is Captain Matthew Payne, and he joins us from Fallujah in Iraq. Thank you, both, very much.
[K. Payne:] Thank you.
[M. Payne:] Thank you.