TO THE HURRICANE VICTIMS

[GEEDUBBYA]

I just thought I would create thread so that everyone could post their support for the victims of hurricane Katrina.

To all the victims of the hurricane and victims of the surrounding storms and aftermath, my heart and prayers go out to you and your families and wish you well.


Greg aka GW

[GEEDUBBYA]

I just thought I would create thread so that everyone could post their support for the victims of hurricane Katrina.

To all the victims of the hurricane and victims of the surrounding storms and aftermath, my heart and prayers go out to you and your families and wish you well.


Greg aka GW

[Jim Krauzlis]

Nice idea, Greg a/s/a GW!

I am waiting to hear back from a friend in Biloxi, but i don't imagine he will be able to communicate with me for a while until they get things back and running as best they can.

They are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Jim

[Jim Krauzlis]

Nice idea, Greg a/s/a GW!

I am waiting to hear back from a friend in Biloxi, but i don't imagine he will be able to communicate with me for a while until they get things back and running as best they can.

They are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Jim

[tausugAir]

My sympathy and prayers go to the hurricane victims. From a person who comes from hurricane (typhoon ) prone country of the Philippines, I just knew what it's like going thru this experience.... Muhammad Farouk

[tausugAir]

My sympathy and prayers go to the hurricane victims. From a person who comes from hurricane (typhoon ) prone country of the Philippines, I just knew what it's like going thru this experience.... Muhammad Farouk

[Getter1]

To those who got hit with this one my hopes and prayers for you saftey and that things get back together quickly for you.

John

[Getter1]

To those who got hit with this one my hopes and prayers for you saftey and that things get back together quickly for you.

John

[Bowdenja]

Hey Y'all!

Speaking from one who was 150 miles inland, we got socked. Not as bad as the coast but all of MS from Jackson on down got hit pretty hard. Almost half of the state.

The MS coast is mostly no longer there. The pictures and stuff we get are showing very large destruction. All business are close or are no longer there. NO power, water, phones service of any kind, and they are talking will be out for many weeks.

This will take years to overcome, but overcome it will.

Thanks for the words of concern and please keep thinnking of these people/families who are homeless/jobless from this storm. Help is already there and on the way.

Jim............ let me know who it is I'm sure there will ways we can get in touch with people, at least I'll try. Working for the state I have contact all over.

john

[Bowdenja]

Hey Y'all!

Speaking from one who was 150 miles inland, we got socked. Not as bad as the coast but all of MS from Jackson on down got hit pretty hard. Almost half of the state.

The MS coast is mostly no longer there. The pictures and stuff we get are showing very large destruction. All business are close or are no longer there. NO power, water, phones service of any kind, and they are talking will be out for many weeks.

This will take years to overcome, but overcome it will.

Thanks for the words of concern and please keep thinnking of these people/families who are homeless/jobless from this storm. Help is already there and on the way.

Jim............ let me know who it is I'm sure there will ways we can get in touch with people, at least I'll try. Working for the state I have contact all over.

john

[Jim Krauzlis]

Thanks, John.

His name is Russell Barnes. His address is 344 MacArthur Avenue, Biloxi.
Anything you can find out would be very appreciated, mate.

Jim

[Jim Krauzlis]

Thanks, John.

His name is Russell Barnes. His address is 344 MacArthur Avenue, Biloxi.
Anything you can find out would be very appreciated, mate.

Jim

[Bowdenja]

Hey Jim.

I'll give it a try. We have/had an office there maybe I can get folks down there to find something out.

Hopefully he headed north before the storm and you will here something from him soon.

[Bowdenja]

Hey Jim.

I'll give it a try. We have/had an office there maybe I can get folks down there to find something out.

Hopefully he headed north before the storm and you will here something from him soon.

[Jim Krauzlis]

Thanks so much, John.
Jim

[Jim Krauzlis]

Thanks so much, John.
Jim

[seawolf]

My prayers goes for the safety of those who resides in area that hit by the storm.

and my condolences for those who lost a family member.

[seawolf]

My prayers goes for the safety of those who resides in area that hit by the storm.

and my condolences for those who lost a family member.

[Mace]

My hopes and prayers for help and safety go out to those who've been hit by this Monster of Nature.

I really hope that reconstruction of the area will start as soon as possible

[Mace]

My hopes and prayers for help and safety go out to those who've been hit by this Monster of Nature.

I really hope that reconstruction of the area will start as soon as possible

[Kaz]

My prayers go to all of those who were affected By Hurricane Katrina

[Kaz]

My prayers go to all of those who were affected By Hurricane Katrina

[Jimi]

Same here. my sympathies to the victims of the hurricane.

[Jimi]

Same here. my sympathies to the victims of the hurricane.

[raiwong]

Same here too. My prayers and thoughts go to those affected by the hurricane.

BTW. www.raicardmodel.com is down temporary. Sorry, couldn't inform you all earlier as the hosting company did not warn me earlier. :(

[raiwong]

Same here too. My prayers and thoughts go to those affected by the hurricane.

BTW. www.raicardmodel.com is down temporary. Sorry, couldn't inform you all earlier as the hosting company did not warn me earlier. :(

[dwgannon]

My heart and prayers go to the victims of this tragedy.

[dwgannon]

My heart and prayers go to the victims of this tragedy.

[Niels]

I am chocked - so many dead - so many still missing - my thougths goes to them all.

[Niels]

I am chocked - so many dead - so many still missing - my thougths goes to them all.

[Jim Krauzlis]

Well, I got real good news today about my friend, Russell Barnes, and his family.

They are all fine, their house survived with only superficial damage and some downed trees. He suggested that anyone who is able do support the relief efforts for victims of the storm.

In regard to the storm he said, first there was anticipation, then experience, then expectation, then imagination....then it all went far beyond the redline to where they are now. His house is about a mile inland from the beach so luckily they were not affected by the storm surge. He is indeed very lucky but many tens of thousands of others have not been so fortunate...the number of people affected and the losses are just staggering.

So, I thank you, John, and everyone who are working and helping the survivors ensure their well being, care and recovery...as many who have watched the events unfold over the last week have probably seen, this has been a tragedy of unprecedented proportion; even though there were some bumps in the first recovery efforts the strength, determination and undaunted spirit of those helping and those being helped has shown to be more than up to the task even at these early stages. They deserve our support, thanks and, more importantly, our prayers.

Jim

[Jim Krauzlis]

Well, I got real good news today about my friend, Russell Barnes, and his family.

They are all fine, their house survived with only superficial damage and some downed trees. He suggested that anyone who is able do support the relief efforts for victims of the storm.

In regard to the storm he said, first there was anticipation, then experience, then expectation, then imagination....then it all went far beyond the redline to where they are now. His house is about a mile inland from the beach so luckily they were not affected by the storm surge. He is indeed very lucky but many tens of thousands of others have not been so fortunate...the number of people affected and the losses are just staggering.

So, I thank you, John, and everyone who are working and helping the survivors ensure their well being, care and recovery...as many who have watched the events unfold over the last week have probably seen, this has been a tragedy of unprecedented proportion; even though there were some bumps in the first recovery efforts the strength, determination and undaunted spirit of those helping and those being helped has shown to be more than up to the task even at these early stages. They deserve our support, thanks and, more importantly, our prayers.

Jim

[patriot missile]

New orleans and the hardest hit areas will come back stronger then ever!!
but most of the buildings will have to come down if the water contiues to degregate the foundations of structures
but good news is major us air carriers are airlifting like 4o flghts per hour to the Kelly AFB, and cruise ships will also be used ( according to ABC news tonight)
but 1. why did it take so long to respond??? the tsunami we helped in about 24 hrs??
2.why is homeland security invovled so intensely??
3. do we feel safe incase we get hit again with a dirty nuke or what have you, do to the response time??
4. as for the looters??? if anyone has to go through that we would all steal food and water for our families,,,, but not tv's and electronics and other things

[patriot missile]

New orleans and the hardest hit areas will come back stronger then ever!!
but most of the buildings will have to come down if the water contiues to degregate the foundations of structures
but good news is major us air carriers are airlifting like 4o flghts per hour to the Kelly AFB, and cruise ships will also be used ( according to ABC news tonight)
but 1. why did it take so long to respond??? the tsunami we helped in about 24 hrs??
2.why is homeland security invovled so intensely??
3. do we feel safe incase we get hit again with a dirty nuke or what have you, do to the response time??
4. as for the looters??? if anyone has to go through that we would all steal food and water for our families,,,, but not tv's and electronics and other things

[NYC Irish]

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :!: :!: :?: :?: :!: :!: :?:
We all send our best wishes and hopes to the people of the area but...


THIS ISNT THE PLACE FOR THESE QUESTIONS...PLEASE PLEASE go somewhere else...

John John

[NYC Irish]

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :!: :!: :?: :?: :!: :!: :?:
We all send our best wishes and hopes to the people of the area but...


THIS ISNT THE PLACE FOR THESE QUESTIONS...PLEASE PLEASE go somewhere else...

John John

[46rob]

FEMA is part of Homeland Defense. It takes time to call up the National Guard--remember they're not on active duty--and to transport them to the needed areas. Unlike the Eastern Indian Ocean--there is no Carrier battlegroup in the Gulf of Mexico. It took days for ships to steam from Norfolk to the Northern Gulf Coast, thanks to base cluosures and re-alignments. It used to be that there were Navy ships homeported all around the Gulf.


The area destroyed is the size of Great Britian--New Orleans was just one part of the problem.

When the police turned their backs on looters carrying off food--they ended up giving tacit approval to all forms of looting. The police were spread Very thin. Many rural areas were hit as hard or harder than the Biloxi coast and New Orleans--no press coverage--just make-go on your own for them. These are the folks coming into town here to load up on provisions and fuel to take back to share with their neighbors.

A disaster of this magnitude could strike any city--regardless of location--maybe not a hurricane, although the entire east coast is vulnerable--but other disasters--either natural or man made. This ought to be a wake-up call to ALL Mayors, Governors and other officials, that real world planning has to be done to ensure that evacuations can actually be performed, that sufficient assets are in place to maintain order and to get accurate information to the populace.

Last year, Ivan hit our city with great fury. All lines of communications were lost, including radio and televison. No phones, cell towers down...roads impassable--and no fuel. No one knew what ws happening--where relief could be found. Rumor abounded. And--that storm was a Sunday rain shower in comparison to what's happened this year to the west. Multiply that by 100 or 1000--and thats the situation over there.

I beleive that the folks in charge are doing their level best with the assets they've got--regardless of what the tlaking heads say. Second guessing and Monday Morning Quarterbacking is easy, and hindsight is 20-20. When you're up to your neck in alligators, it's hard to remember that the objective is to drain the swamp.

[46rob]

FEMA is part of Homeland Defense. It takes time to call up the National Guard--remember they're not on active duty--and to transport them to the needed areas. Unlike the Eastern Indian Ocean--there is no Carrier battlegroup in the Gulf of Mexico. It took days for ships to steam from Norfolk to the Northern Gulf Coast, thanks to base cluosures and re-alignments. It used to be that there were Navy ships homeported all around the Gulf.


The area destroyed is the size of Great Britian--New Orleans was just one part of the problem.

When the police turned their backs on looters carrying off food--they ended up giving tacit approval to all forms of looting. The police were spread Very thin. Many rural areas were hit as hard or harder than the Biloxi coast and New Orleans--no press coverage--just make-go on your own for them. These are the folks coming into town here to load up on provisions and fuel to take back to share with their neighbors.

A disaster of this magnitude could strike any city--regardless of location--maybe not a hurricane, although the entire east coast is vulnerable--but other disasters--either natural or man made. This ought to be a wake-up call to ALL Mayors, Governors and other officials, that real world planning has to be done to ensure that evacuations can actually be performed, that sufficient assets are in place to maintain order and to get accurate information to the populace.

Last year, Ivan hit our city with great fury. All lines of communications were lost, including radio and televison. No phones, cell towers down...roads impassable--and no fuel. No one knew what ws happening--where relief could be found. Rumor abounded. And--that storm was a Sunday rain shower in comparison to what's happened this year to the west. Multiply that by 100 or 1000--and thats the situation over there.

I beleive that the folks in charge are doing their level best with the assets they've got--regardless of what the tlaking heads say. Second guessing and Monday Morning Quarterbacking is easy, and hindsight is 20-20. When you're up to your neck in alligators, it's hard to remember that the objective is to drain the swamp.

[Ashrunner]

Rob has done a very good job of describing the situation. As with Rob, I have been on the receiving end of aid, but I have also been on the provider end.

There is a lot which goes into providing aid, but the most important is situation assessment. That alone could take up to a day or more, determining what is needed, how to get it to where it is needed and many other things need to be considered. It's not easy and during the planning phase of one relief effort, I can recall a rather lengthy argument regarding where to take evacuees so they could be taken out of the area.

Finally there is the scope of this disaster. New Orleans is getting the lion's share of the coverage, but the entire Louisana, Mississippi and Alabama Gulf Coasts have been destroyed with aid going to those areas also. To have pre-planned and been ready for a disaster of this magnitude, would have been impossible. The scope of this event is unimaginable.

I thought the world ended when Mt. Pinatubo blew up in my face at the same time a super typhoon hit the area. Hurricane Katrina makes that event seem like a bad day on the beach.

My thoughts are with all those affected by this storm.

[Ashrunner]

Rob has done a very good job of describing the situation. As with Rob, I have been on the receiving end of aid, but I have also been on the provider end.

There is a lot which goes into providing aid, but the most important is situation assessment. That alone could take up to a day or more, determining what is needed, how to get it to where it is needed and many other things need to be considered. It's not easy and during the planning phase of one relief effort, I can recall a rather lengthy argument regarding where to take evacuees so they could be taken out of the area.

Finally there is the scope of this disaster. New Orleans is getting the lion's share of the coverage, but the entire Louisana, Mississippi and Alabama Gulf Coasts have been destroyed with aid going to those areas also. To have pre-planned and been ready for a disaster of this magnitude, would have been impossible. The scope of this event is unimaginable.

I thought the world ended when Mt. Pinatubo blew up in my face at the same time a super typhoon hit the area. Hurricane Katrina makes that event seem like a bad day on the beach.

My thoughts are with all those affected by this storm.

[46rob]

It's not just the coastal areas that are devasted. The size and strength of this storm pushed hurricane force winds nearly to the Tennessee border. When you think about how to send in relief to that large of an area--the mind just doesn't grasp the scope of the demand or need. It isn't just the areas you see on TV--the major Cities and coastal areas---these are just the welll recognized parts that the media has gravitated to. Cities like Hattiesburg and Jackson are torn up, as well as smaller towns and rural communities. Get out your maps and draw a big oval--starting at the gulf, at the mouth of the Mississppi, and going north and expanding to near the Tn border. That's what we have to deal with--not just a few cities and some coastal resort areas. Add to it the fact that when people were told to evacuate--they didn't. Not all were unable, either fiscally or physically....some just stayed because they didn't want to leave. Residents of the Gulf Coast have been enduring hurricanes all their lives and, having survived before, had no reason to think otherwise this time. There's also a natural tendency to want to stay and protect your own turf--I know I would be torn between fleeing and staying put--we discusssed it prior to the storm's arrival, and before the last few, as well. I still don't know what we'd have done, had Katrina made landfall 100 miles to the east.

[46rob]

It's not just the coastal areas that are devasted. The size and strength of this storm pushed hurricane force winds nearly to the Tennessee border. When you think about how to send in relief to that large of an area--the mind just doesn't grasp the scope of the demand or need. It isn't just the areas you see on TV--the major Cities and coastal areas---these are just the welll recognized parts that the media has gravitated to. Cities like Hattiesburg and Jackson are torn up, as well as smaller towns and rural communities. Get out your maps and draw a big oval--starting at the gulf, at the mouth of the Mississppi, and going north and expanding to near the Tn border. That's what we have to deal with--not just a few cities and some coastal resort areas. Add to it the fact that when people were told to evacuate--they didn't. Not all were unable, either fiscally or physically....some just stayed because they didn't want to leave. Residents of the Gulf Coast have been enduring hurricanes all their lives and, having survived before, had no reason to think otherwise this time. There's also a natural tendency to want to stay and protect your own turf--I know I would be torn between fleeing and staying put--we discusssed it prior to the storm's arrival, and before the last few, as well. I still don't know what we'd have done, had Katrina made landfall 100 miles to the east.

[nebeltex]

....the PTA headquarters is located about a mile from the gulf's relatively placid waters. over the years (26) we have seen so many storms come by or through, we can't keep up with all the names or dates. for some we have stayed, for others we have bugged out. we are about 5' above MSL. living in the "zone", it is not a matter of "if" but "when". this requires, not monday morning quarterbacking, but saturday evening coaching. it is a strange feeling to lock the doors and wonder if anything will remain when you return. it is, however, a fact of life. municipal and other leaders typically look at best case scenarios as well as the worst. the worst is seldom planned for and when it is worse than the worst, plans go out the window. what has occurred is nothing short of a disaster for america as a whole and is resulting in socal upheaval in the areas concerned (as far west as san antonio texas). after "alicia" hit galveston in the early '80s, the guard was quickly deployed and martial law was declared. curfews, limited freedom of access, troops in the streets, etc. this rapid reaction was likely due to history (galveston's 1900 storm is, so far, still the worst. the history of that disaster is harrowing. even by today's standards), the fact we were not involved in a war overseas, and the fact that texas has a right to have their own armed forces. i feel everyone needs to be prepared for the inevitable fallout from katrina. am i the only one smelling a recession in the wind?

[nebeltex]

....the PTA headquarters is located about a mile from the gulf's relatively placid waters. over the years (26) we have seen so many storms come by or through, we can't keep up with all the names or dates. for some we have stayed, for others we have bugged out. we are about 5' above MSL. living in the "zone", it is not a matter of "if" but "when". this requires, not monday morning quarterbacking, but saturday evening coaching. it is a strange feeling to lock the doors and wonder if anything will remain when you return. it is, however, a fact of life. municipal and other leaders typically look at best case scenarios as well as the worst. the worst is seldom planned for and when it is worse than the worst, plans go out the window. what has occurred is nothing short of a disaster for america as a whole and is resulting in socal upheaval in the areas concerned (as far west as san antonio texas). after "alicia" hit galveston in the early '80s, the guard was quickly deployed and martial law was declared. curfews, limited freedom of access, troops in the streets, etc. this rapid reaction was likely due to history (galveston's 1900 storm is, so far, still the worst. the history of that disaster is harrowing. even by today's standards), the fact we were not involved in a war overseas, and the fact that texas has a right to have their own armed forces. i feel everyone needs to be prepared for the inevitable fallout from katrina. am i the only one smelling a recession in the wind?

[Rick Thomson]

<When the police turned their backs on looters carrying off food--they ended up giving tacit approval to all forms of looting. >

I dunno Rob, there is a difference between a mother or father doing what they must to feed their kids, and those I've seen with the plasma TV's ( dunno what good they will be after getting wet) or the designer clothing.

I'm just glad that I've never been put in that situation, either as a "looter" or as the guy with the uniform, but at the risk of being an armchair quarterback ( I detest them about as much as you, I expect), I'd say turn a blind eye to the first sort, and shoot the second.

[Rick Thomson]

<When the police turned their backs on looters carrying off food--they ended up giving tacit approval to all forms of looting. >

I dunno Rob, there is a difference between a mother or father doing what they must to feed their kids, and those I've seen with the plasma TV's ( dunno what good they will be after getting wet) or the designer clothing.

I'm just glad that I've never been put in that situation, either as a "looter" or as the guy with the uniform, but at the risk of being an armchair quarterback ( I detest them about as much as you, I expect), I'd say turn a blind eye to the first sort, and shoot the second.

[Bowdenja]

Hey Y'all,

As one in the area that Rob has described......I've posted on other sites, so I'll be brief here.

TV reporters are reporting for ratings.........looting gets people watching........guys driving through chest high water getting people out....dosen't. It's a sad fact that people will watch bad stuff, get bored and turn off good stuff.

Help is coming and here! Remember that the storm hit Monday morning..........New Orleans made it pretty much throught the storm, even the reporters were saying on Tuesday that New Orleans luck was holding out.......Then BAM! the levies started breaking very early in the morning on Wednesday. Most of the immediate help headed to the AL and MS coast.....then had to try and get to New Orleans on roads that were imppassable or no longer there.

With no power to get helicopters fuel they could only make a few trips and stay for a short time then get back to where they could re-fuel......mostly about 180 - 200 miles away.

Now they are re-fuel over Lake Ponchatrain... and with longer stay times got most of the people out ASAP.

To put it in persepective.........my family lives about 60 miles south of me......they just today SUNDAY got power. Folks around me are still with out power. I'm almost 180 miles from the coast.

Rob nailed it......this thing walloped us big time.......heck my cousin in GA had to deal with the tornadoes this storm was still putting out 500 - 600 miles in-land.

Don't do kilometers, so you guy over the big water got to do the conversion. Believe me it far.

Anyway...........from a guy here working to get things back to normal.........THANKS for the help. The people I've talked with from the coast and New Orleans all say the same thing too.........THANKS for any help given........we ain't used to asking for it..........but we know when we need to.

John

[Bowdenja]

Hey Y'all,

As one in the area that Rob has described......I've posted on other sites, so I'll be brief here.

TV reporters are reporting for ratings.........looting gets people watching........guys driving through chest high water getting people out....dosen't. It's a sad fact that people will watch bad stuff, get bored and turn off good stuff.

Help is coming and here! Remember that the storm hit Monday morning..........New Orleans made it pretty much throught the storm, even the reporters were saying on Tuesday that New Orleans luck was holding out.......Then BAM! the levies started breaking very early in the morning on Wednesday. Most of the immediate help headed to the AL and MS coast.....then had to try and get to New Orleans on roads that were imppassable or no longer there.

With no power to get helicopters fuel they could only make a few trips and stay for a short time then get back to where they could re-fuel......mostly about 180 - 200 miles away.

Now they are re-fuel over Lake Ponchatrain... and with longer stay times got most of the people out ASAP.

To put it in persepective.........my family lives about 60 miles south of me......they just today SUNDAY got power. Folks around me are still with out power. I'm almost 180 miles from the coast.

Rob nailed it......this thing walloped us big time.......heck my cousin in GA had to deal with the tornadoes this storm was still putting out 500 - 600 miles in-land.

Don't do kilometers, so you guy over the big water got to do the conversion. Believe me it far.

Anyway...........from a guy here working to get things back to normal.........THANKS for the help. The people I've talked with from the coast and New Orleans all say the same thing too.........THANKS for any help given........we ain't used to asking for it..........but we know when we need to.

John

[Gil]

I stayed up very late the morning Katrina made landfall. I had been following this monster for nearly a week and knew we were in deep trouble when the storm bloomed into a category 4 over the super warm gulf waters. Developing into a category 5 hurricane 24 hours prior to landfall pretty much sealed the fate of everyone in its way. I started looking to see who in the media was doing live coverage of this monster that filled the Gulf from the Yucatan Penninsula to the Floriday Keys. Not a single major media entity had live coverage. I was stunned that the media seemed to be totally asleep on this the biggest storm anyone has seen in recorded history..., Everyone in Washington, D.C. was on vacation and was apparently operating on remote control.

The damage left behind is something that just can't be shown on a television. You have to be there or fly over the zone to understand the massive damage these storms can cause and Katrina will certainly never be forgotten for she now holds the record for mind boggling destruction. Normal response teams were totally dumbfounded as no one has or had experienced destruction on this scale. Just how to get help in to the affected areas became a major dilemma as most all transportation avenues had been destoyed. The best bet being an amphibious assault ship which are just now bringing in supplies from the Gulf.

Many will point fingers but few will lift one to help. My heart and sympathies go out to all who have had their lives affected and it is my hope that they will overcome their adversity. That which doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. I'm hoping that all of us are doing what we can in our own small way to help those affected by this catastrophe...,

Thoughts, Gil

[Gil]

I stayed up very late the morning Katrina made landfall. I had been following this monster for nearly a week and knew we were in deep trouble when the storm bloomed into a category 4 over the super warm gulf waters. Developing into a category 5 hurricane 24 hours prior to landfall pretty much sealed the fate of everyone in its way. I started looking to see who in the media was doing live coverage of this monster that filled the Gulf from the Yucatan Penninsula to the Floriday Keys. Not a single major media entity had live coverage. I was stunned that the media seemed to be totally asleep on this the biggest storm anyone has seen in recorded history..., Everyone in Washington, D.C. was on vacation and was apparently operating on remote control.

The damage left behind is something that just can't be shown on a television. You have to be there or fly over the zone to understand the massive damage these storms can cause and Katrina will certainly never be forgotten for she now holds the record for mind boggling destruction. Normal response teams were totally dumbfounded as no one has or had experienced destruction on this scale. Just how to get help in to the affected areas became a major dilemma as most all transportation avenues had been destoyed. The best bet being an amphibious assault ship which are just now bringing in supplies from the Gulf.

Many will point fingers but few will lift one to help. My heart and sympathies go out to all who have had their lives affected and it is my hope that they will overcome their adversity. That which doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. I'm hoping that all of us are doing what we can in our own small way to help those affected by this catastrophe...,

Thoughts, Gil