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Want to share this little story about #LarryKing. In 2003, I was still a relatively new correspondent at @CNN. I was assigned to cover the homecoming of five soldiers of the 507th Maintenance Company from Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas
This was a huge story. The soldiers had been held as POWs in Iraq. The military aircraft was scheduled to land in El Paso during Larry King Live. I was told I would be reporting from the air strip in breaking news rolling coverage with Larry.
To say I was nervous is an understatement. I spent hours preparing as much as I could about each soldier’s background and personal stories. I learned as much as I could about how the homecoming ceremony would unfold so I could relay that alongside Larry for this historic moment.
I was ready. During Larry’s show, the plane carrying the soldiers lands and I can feel the adrenaline of the moment. I can’t believe I’m going reporting live with Larry King during this emotional moment. The plane doors open. I’m watching and waiting for the soldiers to appear.
Nothing happens. Minutes pass and no one appears. Larry fills the time effortlessly. I pitch in with the various reporting details I had prepared. And then Larry turns to me, “Ed, what’s taking so long? Do the soldiers have to go through customs?”
The question stumped me. I thought, “Customs? What kind of crazy question is that old man!” I stumbled and rambled some nonsensical answer. I had not prepared for that. Why would soldiers have to go through customs? They’ve been held as POWs, give me a break.
A few minutes later Larry is interviewing a military official and he asks why it’s taking so long for the soldiers to step off the plane and the official explains the soldiers are being processed and clearing customs. I can hear this in my ear and I feel humbled and embarrassed.
The old man was right! This is what made Larry King so great. He was often underestimated and unafraid of asking what might seem like a silly question. Those questions often elicit fascinating details. That night of life television is one of the highlights of my CNN career.
