[Blitzer:] El Paso, Texas found a special way to give thanks today. Two former prisoners of war in Iraq, Shoshana Johnson and Joseph Hudson, were grand marshals of today's Sun Bowl Parade. My colleague, Carol Lin, spoke with them before the parade began.
[Carol Lin, Cnn Anchor:] Joe, Shoshana, thank you very much for being with us on this holiday. And congratulations for being grand marshals in today's parade.
[Spc Shoshana Johnson, U.s. Army:] Thank you very much.
[Cpl. Joseph Hudson, Fmr. Iraqi Pow:] Thank you.
[Lin:] Joe, I'm just wondering, this must be a very special Thanksgiving, a very special homecoming for you. Do you feel like a hero?
[Hudson:] No, I'm not a hero. I'm just doing my job. That's what I signed up to do. That's what I do.
[Johnson:] The same here.
[Lin:] Shoshana?
[Johnson:] The same here. I feel like a survivor. But I don't feel like I'm a hero.
[Lin:] You know, you both are survivors. And there are many people in your unit who came under attack and have not been celebrated in a public way. What do you say on their behalf, Shoshana?
[Johnson:] I would say that they'll get their rewards in another way. God doesn't forget the good that you do. I know everyone...
[Lin:] Joseph?
[Hudson:] I just know everybody that was with us that day fought bravely. And their reward will come to them soon in the best way possible.
[Lin:] Shoshana, how do you feel that your homecoming back here to the United States compares with that of Jessica Lynch's?
[Johnson:] I don't see really a reason to compare it. I mean, I was just surprised that as many people were out there to welcome us home. It was a nice surprise. You know? But when it comes down to it, we were just glad to be home.
[Lin:] Do you feel like you should be getting as much disability pay as Jessica Lynch? Do you feel that race has played a factor in how you've been treated?
[Johnson:] No, I don't think so. Jessica's injuries are extremely severe, in my opinion. You know? I think she should have got more. But I'm not a doctor. I just wanted all my medical issues to be addressed. And when I did the formal hearing, it was addressed. So I'm glad that the Army settled things the proper way.
[Lin:] Joseph, what about you? Do you feel that your story is being properly told?
[Hudson:] I don't really like my story to be told. I mean, I'm just a regular soldier. You know? I get paid for what I do. That's my life. That's what I signed up to do. That's what I'm here to do.
[Lin:] Can you at least share with us, Shoshana, how has your life changed since that experience as being held as a POW in Iraq?
[Johnson:] I appreciate things a lot more. You know, especially today, Thanksgiving. Usually, as a cook, I'd be in the DFAT complaining about having to work. Now I get the opportunity to be a grand marshal in my hometown's parade, which is a complete honor to me. Usually, I'd be at home. You know, when I was younger, at home watching it. Now I get to sit as a grand marshal.
[Lin:] So what are your plans then for the future, Shoshana?
[Johnson:] At this moment, I have about a week or two left in the military. I plan to go back to school and spend as much time with my daughter as possible.
[Lin:] And what about you, Joseph?
[Hudson:] Sixteen more years, at least. Donate my time.
[Lin:] And would you go back then?
[Hudson:] If I was ordered to? You're dang right, I would go right back and do my job over there.
[Lin:] And how would you feel about it?
[Hudson:] It would be a different feeling, but I'll be there. I'll probably do my job like I'm doing right now.
[Lin:] What advice would you have for other soldiers, national guardsmen who might be going over, Joseph?
[Hudson:] There is no such thing as a front line anymore. America's war is fought everywhere.
[Johnson:] Exactly. Be careful and pray. We're behind you 110 percent.
[Lin:] What are your best hopes for the U.S. troops who are coming back who have seen the violence, who understand perhaps from a perspective that only you two understand?
[Johnson:] I hope that they come home and they have people they can talk to about some of this. Sometimes it's very hard to deal with, and it always helps to sit down and be able to talk to someone. Fortunately, I come from a military family. I can sit down and speak to them about a lot of things, and they understand where I'm coming from.
[Lin:] Joseph, do you really think Americans understand and appreciate their troops?
[Hudson:] There is a lot of people that support troops, but there is a lot of stuff that they don't know what we do. And they need to know that we support and defend this great country. And a lot of people don't appreciate that and don't realize that.
[Lin:] All right. Well, your story certainly will help. How are you guys going to spend the rest of the day? Joseph?
[Hudson:] Waving out of a convertible for this parade. So got to get the what's that? The beauty pageant wave going.
[Lin:] All right. Shoshana, are you going to get a chance to have your own Thanksgiving dinner?
[Johnson:] Oh, yes. I got up early this morning and started baking pies and put the turkey in the oven. So by the time I get home, the turkey should be done and everything is ready to go.
[Lin:] All right. Well, thank you very much.
[Blitzer:] Our thanks to Carol Lin and to those two special guests. Our hot Web Question of the Day is this: Was President Bush's visit to Baghdad worth the risk? Your votes when we come back.