[Don Lemon, Cnn Anchor:] Hello, everyone, I'm Don Lemon in New York. We want to wish and you your family a happy Fourth of July. And as you see, you see the live picture of the White House there. We're standing by to hear from President Barack Obama live at the White House at any moment. And we'll get to that soon. But first, it could be a lot happier on the Gulf Coast, which is usually packed right now. This year the oil disaster is really keeping many visitors and their money away from the Gulf. So right away, let's go down to our John Zarrella, he is down in Gulf Shores, Alabama right now. Hey, John, it looks like there is no trouble getting a prime spot on the beach, on the sand this year. But that's not good news.
[John Zarrella, Cnn Correspondent:] No, that really isn't good news. You can see all around me here, this beach is totally empty. And you know Don, we talked to life guards earlier today who say that usually on the Fourth of July they have these little golf carts they drive around, that they can't even move those golf carts on the beach. Well, clearly today you could have had golf cart races here on the beach; there are so few people. And you know, here in Gulf Shores they had closed the water. They didn't want people to go swimming. But all throughout the day we shot pictures down at the beach, down at the water; people in there, people swimming. And the life guards told us that what they were doing was allowing them
[Lemon:] John, sorry. I wouldn't interrupt you unless it was important, we'll try to get back to you. We've to get to the president. Ok, John stand by, sir. As he said, go ahead. There is the president and the First Lady you see there in Washington, D.C. Let's listen in.
[Barack Obama, President Of The United States:] On behalf of Michelle and myself and the girls and Bo, welcome to the White House and happy Fourth of July. You know, all across our great country today folks are coming together, decked out in the red and white and blue, firing up the grill and having a good time with family, just like here today. Now, of course, I'll admit that the backyard is a little bigger here, but it's the same spirit. And Michelle and I couldn't imagine a better way to celebrate America's birthday than with America's extraordinary men and women in uniform and your families. Now, we decided to let you leave your uniforms at home for today. Although I have to say I met a young corporal here who was wearing a black suit. And I said, "Man, its hot here." And he said, "I'm sorry, sir, I know you're my commander-in-chief, but my grandma told me I have to wear a suit." I can't he can't argue with grandma. But we do want all of you to relax and have some fun today. And that also goes for the leaders who are joining us today, including Deputy Secretary of Defense, Bill Lynn; and the vice chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff General James Cartwright, Navy Secretary, Ray Mabus; Air Force Secretary, Mike Donley; Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Robert Papp, and the many outstanding senior enlisted officers who are here today. I want to acknowledge that my Vice President, Joe Biden and his wonderful wife Dr. Jill Biden, aren't with us because they are spending the Fourth of July with our troops in Iraq. And I would add that because of the honor and heroism of our troops, we are poised to end our combat mission in Iraq this summer, on schedule. That's thanks to so many of you. Now, this is the day when we celebrate the very essence of America and the spirit they're coming this is the day when we celebrate the very essence of America. And the spirit that has defined us as a people and as a nation for more than two centuries. Though, even now all these years later we still look in awe of the small band of patriots who stood up and risked everything and defied an empire to declare that these united colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states. We're amazed at the debt to a founding generation that gave their blood, to give meaning to those words, pledging to each other their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. And we celebrate the principles that are timeless, tenets first declared by men of property and wealth but which gave rise to what Lincoln called a new birth of freedom in America, civil rights and voting rights, workers' rights and women's rights and the rights of every American. And on this day that is uniquely American, we're reminded that our declaration, our example made us a beacon to the world, not only inspiring people to demand their own freedom from Latin America to Africa, from Europe to Asia, but even now in this time these ideals still light the world. Two hundred thirty-four years later, the words are just as bold, just as revolutionary as they were when they were first pronounced. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These are not simply words on aging parchment. They are the principles that define us as a nation. The values that we cherish as a people and the ideals we strive for as a society, even as we know that we constantly have to work in order to perfect our union and that work is never truly done. The founders understood this. They are in that hall in Philadelphia as they debated the declaration. John Adams wrote to his beloved Abigail, he predicted that independence would be celebrated from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward forever. But he added, "I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this declaration and support and defend these states." So, today we also celebrate all of you, the men and women of our Armed Forces who defend this country we love. We salute the United States Army. Including a soldier who served on more than 150 combat missions in Afghanistan and after losing most of his arm in an IED attack recently completed a grueling 26-mile run, inspiring all who know him and all of us, that's Staff Sergeant Gabriel Garcia Gabriel. We salute the United States Navy. And a sailor who excels in a job few can imagine but for which all are grateful, a commander of an explosive ordinance disposal team in Iraq, his nerve and steady hand has diffused countless bombs and saved countless lives. That's Lieutenant Eric Frandork. Where is Eric? We salute the United States Air Force. And an airman who during an attack on her vehicle in Iraq that left her seriously wounded, directed medics to help another wounded American first and offered her own bandages to help save his life. That's Captain Wendy Kosic. We salute the United States Marine Corps. And a marine who for his heroic actions in Afghanistan, exposing himself to enemy machine gunfire to help rescue his fellow Marines was recognized with the Bronze Star for Valor, Staff Sergeant Jonathan Peal. And we salute the United States Coast Guard including a Coast Guardsman who commanded the first U.S. vessel to arrive in Haiti after the earthquake, helping to pave the way for one of the most complex humanitarian efforts ever attempted, Commander Diane Durham. This is the spirit of which Adams spoke so long ago. You are the men and women who toil to defend these states. You are patriots. And you have earned your place among the greatest of generations. Yet on this day we know that America's journey is not sustained by those in uniform alone. It must be the calling and cause of every American. So let us ensure that our troops always have the support that they need to succeed in the missions we ask of them. And that includes public support here at home. Let us forge a national commitment to support our extraordinary military families, not just now, during war, but at every stage of your lives and thank thanks to Michelle and Joe Biden for challenging us to do that. Let us resolve as citizens to carry on the improbable experiment that began more than 200 years ago. Not simply declaring our principles but living them here at home. Not simply celebrating our union, but always working to perfect it. And here in a still young century let us renew our commitment to stand with those around the world who, like us, still believe in that simple yet revolutionary notion, that we are all endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights. So happy Fourth of July, everybody and God bless all of you and all our men and women in uniforms and your families. And God bless the United States of America. And with that, let me turn it on let me turn it over to our outstanding United States Marine Band.
[Lemon:] "Over There", I love that song. Anyway, is my mike open? Yes, it is open. I'm sorry, I can't tell, because there's no light here. But anyway, you saw the President and the First Lady and of course he said, you know God bless and men and women in uniform who are fighting overseas. And I will second that, especially on a day like today, fighting to our freedom and have fought for many years. That's how the country was founded, wanting freedom. And so the President and the First Lady and including military families there in Washington, D.C., to celebrate our independence. Let me tell you just real quickly what's what's going on there. About 1,200 people in total are going to watch from the White House, the military troops from all five branches and their families, that includes families of the fallen and families of the deployed as well. Entertainer, I can't really make out who's on the balcony there but I'll tell you some of the muckety mucks besides our men and women in uniform, those are the highest ranking muckety mucks. But Cedric, the entertainer; "The Killers"; Brandi Carlisle and the U.S. Marine Band of course. What's on the menu? Hotdogs, of course, hamburgers, grilled chicken, frozen watermelon, popsicles, grilled corn on the cob, potato salad, salad, ice cream sandwiches, all very appropriate for a day like today; lots of people are doing that. As a matter of fact, I had my hamburger today. And I did not I didn't have I didn't have to go to a picnic because I'm working. I just went to a restaurant and had a burger on behalf of my independence and freedom and that's how we do it here. Hey, listen. I have some breaking news to tell you about. We're going to keep an eye on that. And I'm being told that this breaking news is coming from JFK Airport. I'm being told that a terminal there am I correct being evacuated. Terminal one due to a bomb scare. We are going to keep an eye on that. Again, what is it? Say it one more time. Ok. This is what UABC is reporting that terminal one at JFK Airport has been evacuated because of a bomb scare. Listen we have crews on the way to the scene. We're going to be checking with producers and reporters to see exactly what's going on at JFK airport. We want to give you that bit of breaking news again, on this Fourth of July we're celebrating. We're keeping an eye on every major city here across the country with those fireworks that will be going off and also the breaking news at JFK airport. Lots of news including Ron Paul who's going to join me in just a little bit. Don't go away. We're back in a moment.