Posted on 09/15/2005 5:52:23 PM PDT by SandRat
CHALMETTE, La. (NNS) -- Sailors from USS Shreveport (LPD 12) are restoring Chalmette High School’s football stadium for use as an auxiliary community gathering area.
Chalmette is located just a few miles west of New Orleans in St. Bernard Parish, La.
“After only a few days on the job, they’ve already got the place looking better. The whole track’s been cleaned,” said Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class William Antrican.
Observing the ongoing work at the stadium, Rear Adm. Joseph Kilkenny, commander of the Joint Force Maritime Component Command supporting Joint Task Force Katrina, commended Sailors for their progress. He added that the goal is to have a Thanksgiving Day football game at the stadium, even if the stadium won’t be used for football in the short term.
“When we saw the devastation here, we realized it would mean a lot to get one centralized spot where people can come together,” said Damage Controlman 3rd Class Richard Bennett, a Shreveport crew member.
Still living in the neighborhood, local resident Lance Cassagne said he’s glad to have the military helping to restore his community.
“Marines came down my street,” stated Cassagne. “I told them I was glad to see them here. Just their presence brings a lot of relief. The military is doing a great job.”
Kilkenny said he is proud of the Navy’s contributions to the community, which include refurbishing a firehouse – where the engines are already restaged – and a courthouse that is now a National Guard command post.
“Shreveport was first on scene for St. Bernard Parish folks with the restoration of government buildings,” said Kilkenny. “It’s a symbol to people who have lost everything that there is hope – that this, too, shall pass.”
NAVY PING
I LOVE AMPHIB SAILORS!
It's a few miles *East* of New Orleans, and IIRC, it flooded even before the levees broke.
Having lived in the town of Shreveport as a girl, it took me a moment to realize what the title actually meant! Ah well.
BTTT!!!!!!!
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