First off, thank you all for your support.  Those of you near Millington, TN my apologies for not getting to meet up with you all, it has been a stressful and trying time.

I returned to New Orleans for the third and (hopefully) final time late last night.  Hopefully I do not have to leave again.  Much of the work on my home has been completed.  I have a new roof, some new furniture, and a lot less neighborhood.  There are only four families left in my neighborhood, everyone else left or has never returned.  There are still dead animals in the street, rotten food litters the sidewalks.  I made two less animals, I found my neighbors dogs tied up in the back yard dead.  They are now buried under an oak in his backyard.  I never thought I would see something like this in this great nation, but sometimes the task is just too great to overcome swiftly.  Don't get me wrong, garbage is moving, just not fast enough. Visit your local landfill, breathe deeply, drink some beer, and you just about have it.

I don't mean to sound down.  I am elated to be home.  Those of you that have known me on this site know how happy I was to get orders to New Orleans.  I have truly found a home here, even thinking about getting out of the Corps after ten years just to stay here.  But home is not the buildings, streets, bars, or music.  Home is people.

Life is returning to the big easy.  It's still big, but not quite as easy.  I hope the images you all saw on CNN stirred something inside.  If you have given to the red cross, bless you, and thank you.  If not, please visit redcross.org, and give what you can.  I don't need assistance, I have a job, vehicle, and home.  Many do not.  The hardest hit areas of the city were the poorest areas of the city.

Visit www.katrinatribute.info watch the video.  While Katrina has passed, another tragedy looms.  Wilma is headed toward florida, I feel for all of you in Florida.  Rest assured, if Wilma clobbers your state, the Marines will be on the ground shortly doing our part to return your city, town, and home to you.  Rest assured I will be one of them, how could it be any different?

We lost a lot to this hurricane season, but one must take comfort in knowing that the nation we live in has made it better.  Just remember how many thousands were killed in other nations last year by a tropical storm.  We weathered a Cat IV/V.  My heart goes out to those that lost everything including their loved ones.

This morning I gave what I could afford to the Red Cross.  No matter how bad you have it, someone has it worse.  Not trying to make a plug for the Red Cross here, but the assistance the red cross gives is paramount, believe me. 

As it is for a city, the country is made by the people that reside there.  Americans make America.  Please do what you can.  God bless you all, and happy motoring.

well said.

Here's a clickable link to: www.redcross.org

Thanks for the kind words, Matt.....We know we can count on the Corps. Let's see what Wilma has in store for us....she'll be bearing down on us soon. What else is there to do but to make our stand.

JR

Jredding,

Take care of your family and leave man.  We wIll be there when you get back brother.

Matt,

Thank you for your genuine concern, but we'll be hunkered down, shuttered and with plenty of provisions. The wife will be heading to her hospital (Reg. Nurse), part of their preparedness plan, for her shift. Perhaps all it takes is one good scare, but I don't know if I could leave something I've worked so hard to attain and maintain. The thought of returning to a gutted-out, looted home is something that would haunt me forever....could I have made a difference if I stayed?

JR

P.S.There's a sense of comfort in knowing you guys are not far away.