Hurricane Katrina, Revisited

If you've never met my parents, Tom and Christine, they're pretty cool folks. (I have to put the qualifier pretty in there because, after all, they are my parents and to just say cool would be a bit much, eh?) They have gone on a two-week "trip" with neighbors Dennis and Terry. The trip isn't a trip of good times and fun only, but since these four are retired from their full-time jobs, it's a trip to use their skills and help the people whose lives and homes have been forever changed by Hurricane Katrina. I've asked if they mind if I post their experiences here and they said it's fine, but judiciously as they aren't looking for accolades or publicity. But, after what they wrote after setting up their camper, I think it's important to share it. Because of the Scotter Libby fiasco, Harriet Miers' resignation, the World Series, Hurricane Wilma, the horrendous earthquake in India, Saddam's trial, bombings in Delhi, etc., focus is slowly shifting away from these people who needed our attention six weeks ago and who will need it still six years from now. Maybe sharing it here will inspire some among us to write a check or find a displaced family settled in our area that we can help out.

It is with a very heavy but happy heart that we send this message out to you. We arrived here on the Gulf Coast just over the Mississippi/Louisiana border about dinner time and shortly before dark. In your wildest dreams you can not imagine what isn't here any more. We only had a little time to see things tonight and there was no way to handle the shock of it. We are including one picture and will send more tomorrow night. This picture shows the northern edge of this area. The southern end looks like what a Marine we met said looks umpteen times worse than the results of the 500 pound bombs they dropped in the first Irac war. We will be working at an abused children's shelter and other places around. It is almost overwhelming as to where to start. We (the four of us agree) that we are going to work as hard as we can for the two weeks we are here and we are going to keep telling you about what we see because the news media is on to other stories and this story will not have an ending for years.

This building was devastated by a 20 foot tidal surge. It left a chair tangled in the overhead power lines. Most of this area still does not have power. Most of the people who live here have lost everything. The four of us are looking around and feeling guilty for having all that we have. All of you can not be here, but you can work within your home communities and make a difference and please don't stop doing things for this area of the country. We can make a difference if we all do a little.

Dennis, Terry,Tom and Christine
30/October/2005