A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day...08-31 thru 09-01-05 ~ Katrina ~ A Nation in Prayer and Sorrow

DollyCali; Billie; Aquamarine; Mama_bear; Dutchess; Just Amy | August 31 - Sept 1, 2005 | Dolly Howard

[DollyCali]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, Dutchess, Aquamarine, DollyCali ~

Free Republic’s Finest
Pray For America

Our Country suffered a devastating blow this week with Hurricaine Katrina. It is so hard to watch the pain and suffering from our citizens. BUT….WE WILL PREVAIL because we are a society that lends a helping hand. Please stop here and share your thoughts and prayers.

We are heartened by all the threads offering support… Many of us are personally involved with local relief efforts… Some come from small communities who have deployed two to three trained disaster volunteers. Larger communities send more. The bottom line is....WE ARE here for our fellow countrym men and women.

The same thing is happening all around the United States. We are just of a few small communities but you add them up and thousands are helping set up shelters all around the country, providing food, water shelter, comfort and support. This is the United States at its best.

We now offer prayers for all the victims of this terrible disaster and GOD BLESS THE USA!!!!!!

Isaiah 33:2 -- O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.

James 5:15b -- The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

The Levee Breach

NOLA SWAT Team

06-28-05 ~ Hall of Fame #12

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 08-29-05 Military Monday 08-30-05 How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[luvie]

Dolly, your pictures of the devastation are awesome. Lots of them I had never even seen since I had to work yesterday and missed a lot of TV. Prayers are definitely in order that their needs will be taken care of and there will be no more loss of life. The thing I'm afraid of is the looters and the hotheads who are causing trouble.

[dutchess]

Dolly....thanks for posting this and what a wonderful job you did with the pictures. Aqua, the background is perfect. Amy, your prayer table is beautiful. Lakeside, prayers for your parents. My hearts and prayers go out to all the victims of this horrific tragedy. And especially for our military men and women overseas who have family in the region.

Busy work day, will try to stop in later.

[DollyCali]

FRiends, it is good to have a safe place to pray & keep up with the news we are praying about! The big threads get pretty nasty/hostile at times...

Updates as they come in on Katrina

10:16 AM CDT on Wednesday, August 31, 2005

10:14 A.M. - WWL-TV: Governor Blanco confirms plans to move evacuees to the Houston Astrodome. Blanco said she remains in contact with the White House, and has asked for a military presence in New Orleans, adding it was important to stabilize things as soon as possible.


10:06 A.M. - WWL-TV: Gas prices expected to rise by as much as $1.10 by this weekend.


10:00 A.M. - State Insurance Commissioner Robert Wooley: People interested in checking up on their insurance can contact the Dept. of Insurance at 1-800-259-5300 or online at LDI.state.la.us.


9:51 A.M. - WWL-TV: No information available from Washington and Tangipahoa Parishes.


9:48 A.M. - WWL-TV: St. Charles Parish residents may return to their homes to grab personal items before leaving the area.


9:46 A.M. - CNN: Commercial flights coming out of New Orleans International Airport could resume in two months.


9:31 A.M. - WWL-TV: UNO campus surrounded by water.


9:30 A.M. - WWL-TV: Lakefront Airport is totally submerged.


9:22 A.M. - (AP) Looting broke out in some New Orleans neighborhoods today, prompting authorities to send more than 70 additional officers and an armed personnel carrier into the city.


Police say one officer was shot in the head by a looter yesterday, but is expected to recover.


The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune reports today that a Wal-Mart in the Lower Garden District was looted, and the entire gun collection was taken.

[LadyX]

"All the sister's are today and tomorrow going to be helping to hostess the thread. We all felt a need to for a few days step back from our normal up beat, peppy threads and rather to focus our hearts and souls to our maker & sustainer."

Your so helpful links are appreciated, Dolly, as is the focus of the next few days at The Finest.

The Mayor, it was for this reason I was A.W.O.L. on Military Monday, and again on "Dave's Day," unfortunately coinciding with the unfolding picture.

Many of you live in areas where you've never experienced the enormity of these. Your interest is perhaps more stirred by terrible snowstorms/blizzards/local floods/etc. in your location, and cannot fully comprehend our immersion in hurricanes.
For us, it always is up close and personal, even if not in the path. Growing up in South and Central Coast Florida, I experienced many; and several more in our South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia years.

At Parris Island, we twice had to move all our gear and mattresses, etc. to the second floor of the barracks just two blocks from the water and tidal surges expected.

The same happened, Gabz, when we lived on Chincoteague, Virginia, the island only 2 miles by 7 miles.
We TWICE had to evacuate and stay with friends on the Naval Air Station base inland in 1955.

Eighteen years in North and other parts of South Carolina brought side glances - the last remnant of one 3 years ago, right here on the west side of SC, dumped 10" of rain on my corner lot in just 4 hours, creating my own foot deep lake, depositing on it enormously large (dining room size) and many small chunks of asphalt from the intersection above us they'd just paved over, and tore off the side road at the edge of my yard!

I still can empathize with your foul weather, after living two years in Rochester, NY - twice lived in Ohio - a year in Rapid City, South Dakota - 3 1/2 years in Fairbanks, Alaska...

Up close and personal were numerous blizzards and "whiteouts" and ice fog - was in Fairbanks for the March 1964 Good Friday Earthquake - and was in Ohio for the Blizzard of '78, by law housebound for 4 days.
I HAVE FELT the/your pain.

Unlike when we were children in Florida with only battery-operated radios for news of the hurricanes in our vicinity when the power failed, today's 24/7 television coverage really brings the overall picture home....

Yes - their pain is ours now, and merits our full attention and prayers.

[Kitty Mittens]

Our Gracious and Kind Master in Heaven, we Continue to Look Heavenward for Your Help, Mercies, and Deliverance. Empower both the Rescuer and the Rescued with Your Own Divine Strength, Supplying Every Resource they Need to Endure this Tragedy. Comfort Everyone who has been Hurt by the Hurricane, Granting to them Your Peace and Your Grace.

Prevent any Outbreak of Disease, Sustain the Weary, and Encourage the Faint. O God of Abundant Mercies, we Praise Your Name for All You will Do, as we Pray for the Sake of His Majesty, King Jesus, amen.

Thank you for this Thread, dear Dolly, and I'll Continue my Prayers for this Situation, and for Lakeside's Parents, and for your Friend you haven't yet Heard From.

Amen to your Prayers, MEG33 and Amy, and Amen to your Entire Post at #37, dear Lady Maggie!

[DollyCali]

St. Bernard's Parish is "gone".. by gone... all buildings, people, parks, etc. gone. scraps remain. A parish is like a county for those that do not know. See maps below I have gathered. It was the first hit with the counterclockwise storm system that hit the coast. It took the wind brunt for NO, much like barrier islands do

This image is NOT any longer valid as land has been moved around in a major way. Maps will eventually be redrawn

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

I personally know several former Station Coos Bay crew
that are in the path of destruction of Hurricane Katrina.

The Coast Guard has bases in these areas.

Coast Guard nationwide is sending supplies and crews also.

Also the Coast Guard Auxiliary in these areas are doing their part.

Local Coast Guard Member Helps Rescue Hurricane Victims
Tuesday was a day of dramatic rooftop rescues as U.S. Coast Guard helicopters plucked hundreds of stranded people to safety along the Gulf Coast.

http://www.thechamplainchannel.com/news/4918126/detail.html

Coast Guard Rescues 2 Women, Baby
An HH-65 Dolphin helicopter rescue crew airlifted two women and a baby in distress near the river in Belle Chasse, La., today. The helicopter rescue crew was conducting an over flight assessment of damage caused by Hurricane Katrina

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,uscg3_083005.00.html

Coast Guard Continues Katrina Rescues
Coast Guard crews assisted in the rescue of about 1,200 people stranded by the high water conditons in the New Orleans area Monday and thousands more were rescued this morning.

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,uscg2_083005.00.html

Coast Guard to Send Units for Hurricane Relief
Crews and assets from across the Seventh Coast Guard District are mobilizing to assist in the hurricane relief efforts in those states affected by hurricane Katrina.

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,uscg1_083005.00.html

Coast Guard Auxiliarists in in and around Foley, Alabama are scrambling to situate their families so they can assist the Coast Guard in its recovery efforts of other Hurricane Katrina victims.

http://www.auxpa.org/releases/auxaction/083005.html

Auxiliarists ready to join Hurricane Katrina relief effort

http://www.auxpa.org/releases/auxaction/082905.html

[DollyCali]

thanks for report tonk!

[Pippin]

I know very well!

But I'll "Git 'er done" as the outdoorsmen say :o)

[DollyCali]

Hellish scenes of death, damage, and chaos wracked the U.S. Gulf Coast on Wednesday as overwhelmed authorities tried to rescue the living and count the dead amid the destruction left by powerful Hurricane Katrina. New Orleans was filling with water after an initial attempt to stop a leaking levee failed, while police fought a losing battle to stop widespread looting in the stricken city. In Mississippi, officials confirmed that at least 100 people had died in the killer storm and said the death toll was almost certain to go much higher.

[ride the whirlwind]

Thanks for this thread Dolly. Have had the news on all morning & the situation gets more and more dire as time goes by. Prayers for all involved.

I went to the Salvation Army's site at http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/ to see about giving a cash donation. I'm pleased to see that Wal-Mart has given them a gift of 1 million dollars toward Katrina Disaster Relief. The Salvation Army always comes through in times like this.

[Pippin]

Was just on ATRW

every one is worried about Gulfcoast6

In post #101 someome posted that they believed they got a call from Toby or his daughter.

But it was a disconnect. but the area code suggested MS.

Hpoping Toby is all right and is safe.

[JustAmy]

As our nation prays for the victims of Hurricane Katrina,
please remember our men and women in the military who are worried about family members at home.

Thank you for coming by with your thoughts and prayers.

[DollyCali]

Toby (gulfcoast6) was in very dangerous area & didn't really evacuate. He chose to go 20 miles north (30 miles from hit/coast). He is former cop & is hopefully safe & busy helping others but we just don't know yet. I had read about the phone calls etc. thanks for sharing though, I know there are several FReeper who haven't checked in yet. Hopefully it is communciation difficulties.

[Hushpuppie]

Oh Dolly, I am so sorry. I'll keep him in my prayers. Please keep us informed if you get any news. All of this is beyond belief!

[DollyCali]

Hi Ride..I understand Home Depot also donated 1 million..

[LadyX]

Thank you, Brother Tonk.
Thank You, Lord for all the 'Coasties' who stand ready
to risk life and limb for those in peril.

It requires so much strength of mind, body, courage,
sense of purpose and selfless devotion to helping others.

We are so very blessed by them - just like the person you are, B,
exemplifying them so well...

** SALUTE **

[DollyCali]

HI there amy.. thanks for beautiful tables.. wonderful prayer/contributions. I of course will be "using them".. ahem..

[DollyCali]

Thank you ma'am.. I will let you know when / if i hear of anything from Fred in Miss.

[Aquamarine]

Thanks Dolly, the info you've been posting is priceless.

Was talking to a friend on the phone Sunday while the storm was moving in and he told me that he had tried to get a family member to come stay with him in N Georgia that lives in Gulfport. Looking up at the TV screen I saw the eye of the hurricane moving across that area.:(
He did say they lived a mile inland but he still hasn't heard from them.