[concretebob]

I just received this from my brother-in-law in VABeach. He's a CH53/60 flight instructor. Master Chief. This will never make the MSM so for your enjoyment, I offer this little insight from the CO of the USS IWO JIMA

[concretebob]

I apologize if I doubled on anyone, but I'm using another computer until my laptop gets well and my ping list is on that one.
It seems to have caught a cold.
A smart person would put their PING list on their profile page.

[Txsleuth]

Terrific read!!

Thank you so much for sharing that...it is the most interesting thing I have read on FR...about the hurricane, that is...

Please, keep posting, if you can, any more notes you get from him, okay?

[Zacs Mom]

this needs to go out to ping list!

[Billthedrill]

Navy BTT. I did have a somewhat heated discussion with a liberal friend the other day concerning the reason the ships took a couple of days to get there and the downside of attempting to route a fleet through a category 5 storm. She didn't get it. Civilians.

[Rembrandt]

I hope these fine Navy troops receive a special medal for this - they are doing a heroic task.

[Zacs Mom]

Thank you for posting this, concretebob

I was just looking at images from the Iwo Jima this morning


Lt. Scott Grabill, left, and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Jose Rodriguez, right, take a young baby to receive medical treatment aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7). Iwo Jima is currently pier side in New Orleans, assisting in Joint Task Force Katrina hurricane relief efforts to bring much needed supplies and help to Gulf Coast region. The Navy's involvement in the humanitarian assistance operations is being led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in conjunction with the Department of Defense. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Robert Strachko

View more great shots here

[MEG33]

Great read!


GO NAVY!

[stylin19a]

maybe you could get permission to pass this on to FOX ?
A lot of good info....

thanx for sharin it

[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!

[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.

[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

[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.

[SuziQ]

Just terrific! When I'd heard, the day after Katrina hit, that the IwoJima and her sister ships were sailing from Norfolk, I wondered how they could help because most everyone would have been evacuated by then. Now I see just how important these ships are for the well being of the people doing all the work in NO. Amazing how much a hot bath and a meal will revive them so they can feel like they're ready to get back out and help. A good night's sleep, even in a navy berth, has gotta feel good, too!

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for this great post and the ping, Bob.

Go Navy!

[maica]

This should be required reading for every media person before writing or speaking another word about the relief effort for Katrina.
This ship did not teleport to NO. It sailed there with a crew, because FEDERAL authorities said that it would be needed.

The work being done by all of the people on board is heroic!

[maica]

I just received this from my brother-in-law in VABeach.

%%%%%

As I was reading this, I was thinking how I could get a copy to my (80+ yr old) uncle, who is retired Navy, in VA Beach. Hopefully it will get some circulation in newspapers there. Do you think it will?

[Conspiracy Guy]

Great Ping