We went to a family reunion on Sat. in the big city of DeRidder, my cousin, Dan had been in N.O. and showed up just in time for the reunion. He had been stranded in the charity hospital for 5 days. He said it was horrible and he did not think he would ever get out. The hospital was over run with bio hazardous waste, not being contained, he walked through the water and dead rats and "things" were everywhere. He was going to have to get on antibiotics for a few days to fight any disease he may be apt to get. He was so shaken that he would just break down every now and then. but he did get out and is finally home. He said they waited on a bus for three hours in a parking lot because no one knew what to do with them and actually had guns held to them. I guess the authorities were so afraid of someone striking back at them because of all of the looting and craziness.
Some of the guys in Chris's units that are coming home next week have lost everything so they can't go back home, most of them have found their families but some have not. Can you imagine working in Baghdad all year and coming back to -0-. The army has offered housing in Ft Polk for them though. There was one mentally handicapped lady, that was crying to use the phone when I was there, so I kept asking her what is your mothers name? She just said, "my momma, my momma, I so worried about my people and my brover(brother)", (in a childlike voice). So I finally could understand her moms name and got my cell phone, called information and said I don't know if you can do this but all I have is a name and she is in Louisiana I think. So he found the residence and put me through, then I had the uncomfortable task and asking the person on the other line if they had a mentally handicapped person in their family, hmmm... (no name because I could not understand it from the little patient)They said yes and I said well she is here and wants to talk to her mom. So she got to talk to her momma and she was sooooo happy, she said, "my momma, my momma, I been cryin all day to talk to you. I worryin about you my momma." "I over here and they have lots of stuff here my momma." It was so funny and sweet. Each day gets better with the news.
Pam