DAY 7: Katrina & the Waves

Fri, 2 September 2005

While watching CNN, we start to realize the magnitude of Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath and the tragedy that starts to unfold in New Orleans with the flooding from the levee breaks. My brother-in-law’s sister and her husband recently moved back from overseas and had just settled in New Orleans with their baby triplets. Fortunately, they were out of town and out of harm’s way when the disaster struck. Still, to lose just about every personal possession is mind-boggling. My thoughts are with them as they start their lives all over.

We were informed that our unit is now doing double duty: a squadron of us is deployed out here in Afghanistan while our rescue helicopters and crews back at home station have been tasked to support the Hurricane Katrina aftermath. An official count so far indicated 212 lives saved (updated 9/16). My family also informs me that my brother is heading down there to help in the rescue and recovery effort. I’m distraught to hear that crazy idiots start to shoot at the rescue helicopters. This kind of behavior absolutely baffles me. What has gone wrong with our society to warrant this?

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Combat Rescue Saves #3 and #4
Katrina Rescue Saves #1 thru #212