Another side of the Katrina Relief Effort

email from my brother-in-law | 12 September 2005 | CO USS IWO JIMA

[pissant]

Great stuff. Thanks for the PING!!

[Darksheare]

Agreed.

[concretebob]

I heard someone admonish the naysayers and nattering nabobs the other day, that we don't have teleporters and molecular tarnsference equipment yet.
The IWO must have put to almost as soon as the storm hit, to be able to get there as quickly as they did.

[eyespysomething]

What a great read. Thanks for sharing. I particularly liked the following line, it made me get a lump in my throat:

My observation is that America, throughtout her history, has always been slow to respond, but once that powerful engine gets into gear it is massive and unstoppable.

God bless your BIL and all the men and women aboard the USS IWO JIMA for their hard and selfless work.

I love America!

[Txsleuth]

Thanks for the extra pictures...they were great..

That poor little baby in the first picture looked terrified, bless his heart.

Hopefully, some day, someone in his family will tell him about his stay on the IWO JIMA...quite a story.

I love this thread...I can't wait to hear more, hopefully tomorrow.

If you have any more pictures----I bet I am not the only one that would like seeing them.

Thanks again.

[flutters]

Great read. Thanks so much for the ping and posting this information. I loved the elephant story. :-)

[ChefKeith]

Thanks for the ping.

Thank Your BIL and His Crew please

[Zacs Mom]

(Sept. 3, 2005) – U.S. Navy personnel assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), load a Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) with equipment as they prepare to provide relief to victims of Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast of the United States. The Navy's involvement in the Hurricane Katrina humanitarian assistance operations is led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in conjunction with the Department of Defense. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Christian Knoell

[ChefKeith]

Over here

[cricket]

So many heroes making a difference; I hope they do not hear or listen. . .or pay attention to. . .the MSM blasting away. . .diminishing all as they attempt to score a political point.

[stylin19a]

I saw that...that's what gave me the idea... there is stuff in here that backs up the Pres.

Contrary to the press, all the FEMA people I met had been on station since last Sunday (before the Hurricane hit), never left the area,

[Brad’s Gramma]

My observation is that America, throughtout her history, has always been slow to respond, but once that powerful engine gets into gear it is massive and unstoppable. I suspect this will also be the case for the Gulf Coast.

Awesome!!! In so many ways. Thanks so much for this thread!

ChefKeith, thanks for the ping!

[Zacs Mom]

New Orleans, La. (Aug 31, 2005) – Citizens of New Orleans wait for the flooding to recede outside the Super Dome football stadium. Tens of thousands of displaced citizens sought shelter at the dome, before, during and after Hurricane Katrina, but have been forced to evacuate as floodwaters continue to rise throughout the area. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Jeremy L. Grisham

Notice the date and notice who is on site at the Superdome!

[Zacs Mom]

one last image - one of my very favorites


New Orleans (Sept. 7, 2005) - U.S. Navy Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 1st Class Robert Webber, a search and rescue swimmer assigned to the "Emerald Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Seven Five (HS-75), helps a New Orleans resident calm her dog after being rescued and its family from their flooded home while assisting mandatory evacuation efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. HS-75 is embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, currently operating in the Gulf of Mexico. The Navy's involvement in the Hurricane Katrina humanitarian assistance operations is led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in conjunction with the Department of Defense. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Kristopher Wilson

[Just A Nobody]

Thanks for the ping and the post bob!

Great read.

[bethtopaz]

I REALLY enjoyed reading this, Bob.

Why can't the whole nation just really rejoice in all the tremendous good deeds and energy and generosity of the American spirit and our military and the volunteers that have poured into the Gulf area from all over the U.S. (and the world, too) to help out in a time of crisis? Why not? Such good stories and great pictures!

Thanks for sharing and thank your brother and his buddies for all their service and good work for our country!

[Flora McDonald]

This is great! Can't wait for the next installment.

[concretebob]

You are very welcome. I've already emailed my brother-in-law, and told him how much we all appreciate hearing the good stuff, and thanked him from FreeRepublic, and asked him to send me anything positive.
I'm overwhelmed by ya'll's response to this. I love making folks feel good about soemthing.

[devolve]

Thanks -

Great thread!

[bethtopaz]

oops - Bob - I said Brother - but by the time I got to the message I forgot it was an in-law.

But thanks again! I think we are all so sick and tired of hearing the bad stuff.

I love my president and my country and I get so weary with the deluge of lies and criticism and hatred against President Bush. I'm so glad he doesn't pay attention. I wish it didn't bother me so much!

So hearing the good stuff is really important!