and several others faces criminal charges today. honoring a legend. >> the loss i feel, i cannot describe. >> maya. >> hundreds turn out to remember and to praise the late maya angelou and the legacy she leaves behind. band of brothers. this morning hundreds of paratroopers recreating the historic jump that so many brave men made during the invasion of normandy. today, sunday, june 8th, 2014. >> announcer: from nbc news, this is "today" with lester holt and erica hill. live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >> and welcome to "today" on this sunday morning. i'm erica hill. >> i'm lester holt alongside jenna wolfe and dylan dryer. you're tonalist, you just win the belmont. everybody says, wow, what about the losers? >> tonalist probably not getting a lot of attention or love because there's so much focus. >> so much buildup to the triple crown which didn't happen. california chrome's loss is our top story today. kristen dahlgren was at belmont on saturday. kristen, good morning. >> good morning, lester. i watched the race with dylan. it went from 120,000 screaming people, cheering people to almost silence. so many people stunned and disappointed that california chrome wouldn't be the first triple crown winner in 36 years. they were calling this america's horse. and a lot of people really thought that this was going to be the year we ended that dry spell. instead, tonalist took the belmont. which is a much longer race than kentucky or preakness. and that's where the controversy comes in. california chrome's owner went on a rant, saying it wasn't a fair fight. that tonalist won because he hadn't raced in the first two legs of the triple crown and wasn't coming off an exhausting five-week stretch. >> if you've got a horse that earns points running the kentucky derby, those 20 horses starting kentucky are the only 20 available -- eligible to run in all three races. this is the coward's way out. >> some hard feelings there. many folks attached to that great back story. california chrome bought for just $10,000. for his part, the official california chrome twitter says it just wasn't my day. he thinks his chromemies and hinted maybe he'll be back to race in the fall. people aren't giving up hope some day maybe we'll see a triple crown winner in our lifetime, lester. >> all right, kristen. >> california chrome's owner steve coburn is with us this morning. mr. coburn, good morning. >> good morning. >> we just heard a little bit of the comments you made after the race, we heard them from kristen. a lot of talk about specifically you calling some of the other owners cowards for only racing their horses in this race. do you stand by those comments this morning? >> sure. >> why is it that you feel they're cowards? >> well, because you know what? there was only three horses in this race that had run in all three. there was california chrome, general a-rod, and ride on curlin. the other horses hadn't competed in the other two races. so you keep these horses out of the game. and then you bring one in to upset the apple cart when they haven't raced in the derby or the preakness. so when you nominate your horse for the triple crown, that means three. not one out of three, but three. so that's what i meant by it. it's a coward's shot at people or horses. because they don't have the -- they don't want to see a triple crown winner. because they get to have their horse in the other two races. >> there has been -- >> i hope you can hear me. >> we definitely can hear you, sir. >> go ahead. >> i was going to say, there has been some support for your position. people have said maybe this wasn't the right way to go about it, in a rant after the race, there has been some support for that position. realistically, do you see that changing? >> well, if it does not change, yant trip we wthe 't er ththain et hat 's notbout. trt bout p dt mou t w he tit r orle >>ow er eroly semorn>>oong rv hige tseig ttis the ohie t t ulseorndr a thene to t sheeaknh ourac yst st s bys n d c bktabo had h calebod tn rbs,weetjus t't b mes wa thbablot runn nlm h rger. su. thgch ow a t califromed h aightol foeneotesreheo i y. c avein dor dhe imat intos. ng t aifsarun d tecyniinho a sure n j beotes ho er you. n,ing. from trgit he wa i a thynjrg rivi aruol ammirgan reli v.er a 're pnglmaiemt us temasiliaid mornagai md,er ie ihisat ath he effor oinisn nflux ri thel ins. hous aean760 en t e beenre e ve he thborder nbedrge cobreha ntral opl ren st n ss ry o a tthankyou pol. m maone neac th aic w pooin fro. , a roreganlloriy tinhe in rnintys bn y t sea sly..s o sts tr r potmai ulgos his thef showea b alwau io ol. y.nce mre. >> ys, youe. >> s. >> andidbamaace ate h morning.thihoe epa, ent i counsnindneaary' e're t eran rr: bf ngboese wbouter epob firobo ktim ahlasceerertinge ct>>wi ate clsalonhaer m lueeo h bellor a ref wahthi to fhi y b heistick n al aut st tk sngthtie t wautnd iecau the i efor undl teek oully ng todniome uhe en, we doave pour ng w is doveo n sein rey b0susome sto lee, w haday, e ates wither hige o ta w gcces thfter joerk imy thpo neyoojoerk imy ind ri taifhi gis gr he nictondccep tcolly step ar likeea w t s eot on afard, n,erothed he wante bestr.ememepor he fanalhard e te bend ov dpu ints ce t ir m ain. i w an hfo wtste andsend k stggs he toler: a eeobdea o i mom.>> h.ayngs wheeponganto mo m, rekid.ois,a. ,evonck eslp d.u o hoearl sthig,n y thang hisryrshe i'mem s tryi lelonlich foun s roa t ony a ple sf ne oml.layingbe60shrghuc65 elic a wandomallyjured. rain adinrusoshatla atndea tninge being pakeat a pestat i t.s bea acttgeba xpo loft foir af y ilit'selin ph a omrow thedoot a l h me 8cted t triry tileil l mo n on athin.os ve .e mm thmad lyll cow.c.......zer] . in ishef ju us >>ou cghhi illat tumalaysiairaer owne i a'ts otu tori rt itiotonalist versf earaplane' hal ur wuc mory t we. ariw.ho a etor bringw i de.g sere'veir foll on haraitt eatedly slenderedonlino heltbaail porilheenav ltiple pledveer aohospay ablwont. ,n t ryoheshe al alo xpre d mmity, peoht thano sheowepol s-a hr mshe sus whivit , rso. >> rr: yes oritor you nc.es wor eshequest fantr i wls ers or anic. avhiully i ayn thione t ikrs a se atapr >>ye>>weha aer av few rk? rn eas in tbust. ouoe nihend flahe tosno t20 d a sco o seeing ao ns. i 'sutound not omoou eng toeads p ticklways st l t serday,incrd throufwe greatunday, every clnday, a he 87l be ts. itrom atmi e jewing ydantngea ldreot ofu adit o . dylanksrthonth age ttd ast. who moth fso notthelem,sng tlem nou eaym >>hopt d t f tu. h eeddeefrud arrore he t d drg.ayanndte lalli daeeeking a martt mes but judge mary knows that she's also dealing with a dysfunctional family. if i had met you at the beginning of you entering this program, describe where you were in life. >> i wasn't doing good at all. i had a really bad attitude. i didn't really care about anybody or anything. >> she told me she hated me and she wishes i would do. just hurtful things like that. she treated me like her enemy. >> i need two people who are committed to the program. you agree that you are going to become part of this team and try to assist your daughter. you are enabling her, and it's got to stop. >> reporter: in 2012, police caught danielle smoking pot in a park. that's what landed her in drug court. but that didn't stop her from using again. >> i started drinking. and then there was weed on the table. i was like, why not? >> reporter: judge mary threw her in juvenile jail for three weeks. >> and i saw her with -- i'm going to cry. with the shackles on her legs. and that was the hardest part for me. she's such a free spirit. and for them to have her chained, it broke my heart. >> she needed to learn i meant business. we meant business in the drug court. the team works hard with you. we're not fooling around. court's adjourned, folks, thanks. >> see our full story tonight on "dateline." that's at 7:00/6:00 central right here on nbc. >> looking forward to that one. turning now to a story of perseverance in the face of a huge struggle to get back to life as normal. for one new mom, she suffered a medical emergency when she was pregnant two years ago. here's janet shamlian. >> reporter: balance is still pretty new for 2-year-old adeline scott. but she's learning fast. >> look at those steps today. those are looking great. >> reporter: balance is an old skill for adeline's mom, amber. she has to relearn it. >> beautiful steps. >> reporter: but she's making progress every day. >> there you go. >> reporter: and getting stronger with each step. and she's finally able to experience some of the simple joys other moms do. like adeline playing with her bunny, minnie mouse. >> push, push, push, push, push. >> reporter: with physical and speech therapy, amber scott has come a long way in two years. >> i just remember talking on the phone. i don't remember anything after that. >> reporter: in may of 2012 amber was nine months pregnant when she suffered a blood clot on her brain. doctors performed emergency surgery and delivered adeline. but amber remained unconscious, missing the first precious few weeks of her daughter's life. now, she doesn't want to let go. >> i want to get down. >> no. not yet. not yet. >> reporter: at times, adeline seems unstoppable. >> stand up and get on the bed. >> reporter: just like her mom. >> that was good. >> that was pretty good. >> it's amazing to see the progress she's made. she's very determined. she doesn't give up. i've never really seen her come in and have a really down day. she's always giving her best. >> reporter: her husband tommy has been with her for every step, every victory. >> that was a good one with the left knee. good. >> reporter: you see the progress in therapy, you see how good she's doing. i really think one day she'll have a normal life. just her being part of adeline's life and being more independent. that's what i'm most proud of. >> reporter: amber is determined to walk again and some day go back to work. but for now, she has a message for her young daughter. >> never give up on whatever you want to do. never, ever give up. you can do anything you want, you put your mind to. >> reporter: a mother full of life. and hope for the future. for "today," janet jshamlian, nc news, houston. just ahead, remembering maya angelou as politicians, celebrities, family and friends come together to honor a woman that they say changed lives. and up next, a big debate across the country. is former p.o.w. bowe bergdahl a hero or a traitor? that's right after this. welcome back. a deal that freed former p.o.w. bowe bergdahl has people more than angry. the fbi says authorities are investigating threats against bergdahl's family. in the meantime we wanted to get an idea of what some people had to say about him. sparked a lot of emotion. some people think of him as perhaps a traitor. something else. we sent nbc news military analyst colonel jack jacobs to georgia to talk to some folks. >> reporter: at this atlanta health club, sergeant bowe bergdahl was a hot topic of conversation. we sat down with club members, a former marine, a woman with two nephews currently serving in afghanistan, and a retired attorney to hear their opinions. marty, what did you think when you first heard that bowe bergdahl was coming back? >> kind of happy to hear that we were getting one of our guys back. and i understood that there was a trade for five other guys who were in prison down in gitmo. and that really didn't bother me much in the moment. >> rob, what did you think? >> i got marine buddies talking about it. you know, i just -- i want to know the truth, i guess. if it's all true or if it's -- if it's something else going on there. because if it is true, then actions need to be taken. >> reporter: leann, how about you? what do you think about that? >> i was happy to hear that, you know, he was coming home. it just -- it seems like the right thing to do. >> reporter: when you heard that he came back as a result of a trade of taliban, what did you think of that? >> first reaction was, probably not right. >> i have no real problem with the concept of trading our people for some of the, quote, others, unquote. >> i think it's okay to trade for him no matter what. you know, i'm all about getting our men back. >> reporter: at any cost? >> at any cost. >> reporter: are we giving up too much because we want him back now? >> i do feel that we -- we're giving up too much. you know, when you sign that contract, you understand. especially during a time of war that things can happen. >> reporter: if our policy is, if the white house's policy is nobody left behind, in these circumstances, do you think we need to think that over again? >> i like the policy. i like the nobody left behind. i just think there's other ways of going to get him. >> how about you, leann? >> absolutely not. you would have a hard time to get people to volunteer for volunteer army if they didn't have that guarantee. i mean, i wouldn't leave my child behind. >> reporter: so bergdahl, hero or traitor? >> traitor. >> neither. neither a traitor nor a hero. >> how about you, marty? hero or traitor? >> he has done nothing by any account to be called a hero. whether or not he was a traitor or just a jerk remains to be decided. >> colonel jacobs is with us now. recipient of the medal of honor and two purple hearts for his service in vietnam. interesting discussion. i think everybody feels they have to have a reaction to what happened. the fact is we don't all have the facts right no w. the army is going through the process. can the army go through the investigation process in a vacuum or are they painfully aware of the politics around this? >> we like to think the army is going to be in a vacuum and establish the facts and make decisions based on the facts unimpeded by any other influence. but at the top of the food chain in washington, all those generals are breathing rarefied air that's infused with politics. it's absolutely impossible for them to ignore it. no matter what happens, whatever happens, even if bergdahl gets convicted of something, in the end the president of the united states, the political apparatus has the last word. because the president can always pardon him. but it's all politics in washington whether you're wearing uniform or you're not. >> jack, you served in combat around 18, 19, 20, 21-year-olds. a lot of stuff going around. did you ever get the sense that someone was about to go over the wall or, you know, expressing regrets about the situation? how was that handled? >> you know, it's really kind of interesting. because life there is in two bits. there's the life before and after an actual combat engagement. in which there are frequently people who look a little sketchy and they might be leaving. and you've got to deal with them and their emotions very, very directly. and then there's the middle of the combat operation when the bullets and shrapnel are flying around and everybody is depending on everybody else. and in all the combat i've ever been in, i've been in plenty, i've never seen anybody break under those circumstances because they're all fighting for each other. >> all right. colonel jack kjacobs, thanks vey much. up next on today, hundreds of paratroopers recreating the d-day jump to honor the troops that help save the world. but first, these mes p ye by"iter tion rmssy.fro od ericrenc f i ro u. wor i m g orer mfus. that thenu pe american flags. the sacrifice for these two countries was immense. but so, too, now is the affection that they share. go p70 es tat 're ungster. ea>> o iton hile r:hi native,sench iseeg aeranturnre yr he rbe t dn't schlegel showehe teriscomiyo t r.andy v haveg hean w ericd. wreci you. t theng banqu chi speeket gra o tve tik o lar s th a honha reannd pers j ngththestu pe o u lyt eroo ynd k ln ach cac e 0sbaxadirast ecaupe 's p f theedbacklan goo sig forou?re w o ryccessveavehoach s ackstca o ow. o. moas t a t. ihenpeciro rs. ra i eirn thcoullae t oks van ty tuk olel s n sblyn 0sh ksage abeisel tow id o weache yy deviccina a deoon. - >>ly s iodayeon" brhe iote on .ight w.wh h memief zi andxes hssonir makeur we >>l a thioue allmu v.>> w gla t e moreftth >>y ay bras con aftma nve cg sh >> linrm on tngxtnbc y s whis

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