Musings of the Chronologically Challenged™ Fourth Generation

 
ALBERTA ADDENDUM


We thought of you with love today
But that is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday
And days before that too.

Your memory is our keepsake
With which we'll never part.
God has you in His keeping
We have you in our Heart.

~~Anonymous

posted by HCL at 12:10 AM

 
Today I should have attended the funeral of a dearly loved friend and family member, but physical limitations prohibited my being there. Following are some thoughts on this remarkable woman.
~Indigo


In the Beginning - - -

there was Alberta. At least in my beginning there was Alberta. I have no recollection of a time in my life when there was no Alberta. Fourteen years my senior, her presence and smiling face spring forth in my mind's eye from my earliest childhood memories. There she is -- involved in every family event, whether it be glad or sad, always doing something to make a glad event more fun and memorable, or a sad event easier to bear. She was the quiet, behind the scenes example for our family to whom other family members could only aspire. Alberta's life was totally enmeshed in her husband's family. She was a modern incarnation of the biblical Ruth who said "whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people."

Under hardships that would have devastated a lesser, weaker person, her spirit came through strengthened. The loss of her first born child was an early blow for her to overcome. Later, as a young woman with a new baby, like millions of other American wives, she bravely faced her husband's World War Two absence with "the right stuff" and got through it mostly on her own. At a point in her life when women need their mothers most, she lost hers. Her father also was lost too soon and Alberta had only a sister and a brother left of her own blood relatives. The sister and brother did not live nearby, so her role as biblical Ruth came into her life early. The frequently difficult in-laws became "her people", and the Dale name was enhanced and enriched by her taking of it.

Her efforts and attitude in meeting the challenges of a physically handicapped child can only be called heroic. Never once did she show anything but optimism and courage in the raising of her little girl, and never once did she convey a hint of "poor us" to the world. On the contrary, she imbued the child and our family with positive confidence. She dealt with the early loss of her husband in the same manner. She was always a beacon to me and one of the few members of my family I would choose to emulate.

Alberta Smith Dale brought honor to the Dale family name and was the exemplar whom we could all strive to be, although never quite attain. Many lives, including my own, will not be as rich now that she is gone.

posted by HCL at 5:10 PM

 
The Lord's Throwing Stars...
By T-Steel

Even though I never go to church nor am I down with organized religion, I still respect people that do. But what I can't stand is some religious people pointing out that every bad thing that affects a large number of people is God's punishment. I overheard two men talking yesterday in Border's Bookstore about Hurricane Wilma. What they said (and how happy they were talking about it) just stopped me in my tracks.

Read it all at Palm Trees In The Ghetto and start learning why Mr. Steel's friends call him The Mystic Negro.



OLD AND EVIL

Intrigued by the name of the blog, I linked up and found that this Old and Evil gent had Indigo blogrolled. What a nice surprise! Thanks, Old and Evil. About how "Old" are you anyhow? It doesn't matter how "Evil" 'cause I'm about immune to that after almost 4 years in the blogosphere. JK. Thanks for the blogrolling. As a warm and fuzzy recip, you are now over there lost in the chaos of mine someplace! Along with other new additions: One Marine's View (thanks to Conservative Insurgent for pointing the way to this one) and One for the Road, plus returnee, Cadillac Tight.



AMERICAN ELECTORATE
Typical voters who elect our governing bodies

While looking at a house, my brother asked the real estate agent which direction was north because, he explained, he didn't want the sun waking him up every morning. She asked, "Does the sun rise in the North?" When my brother explained that the sun rises in the east, (and has always done so since creation), she shook her head and said, "Oh, I don't keep up with that stuff.". . . She votes!

I used to work in technical support for a 24/7 call center. One day I got a call from an individual who asked what hours the call center was open. I told him, "The number you dialed is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week." He responded, "Is that Eastern or Pacific time?" Wanting to end the call quickly, I said, "Uh, Pacific." . . He also votes!

So my colleague and I were eating our lunch in our cafeteria, when we overheard one of the administrative assistants talking about the sunburn she got on her weekend drive to the shore. She drove down in a convertible, but "didn't think she'd get sunburned because the car was moving"........Yep, she also votes!

My sister has a lifesaving tool in her car. It's designed to cut through a seatbelt if she gets trapped. She keeps it in the trunk . . . .My sister also votes!

My friends and I stopped to purchase a couple cases of Coca Cola for a party and noticed that the cases were discounted 10%. Since it was a big party, we bought 2 cases. The cashier multiplied 2 times 10% and gave us a 20% discount . . . . He also votes!

I was hanging out with a friend when we saw a woman with a nose ring attached to an earring by a chain. My friend said, "Wouldn't the chain rip out every time she turned her head?" I explained that a person's nose and ear remain the same distance apart no matter which way the head is turned. My friend also votes!

My wife and I were picking up some sandwiches from the sub shop last week and she asked the clerk which of two sandwiches was better. The clerk didn't have an opinion but did say that the first sandwich was more expensive. My wife got a quizzical look on her face and asked, "If that's the case, why are they both listed with the same price on the menu?" To this, the clerk responded, "I don't think we add tax to the turkey." The clerk also votes!...

I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage area. So I went to the lost luggage office and told the lady attendant there that my bags never showed up. She smiled and told me not to worry because she was a trained professional and I was in good hands. "Now," she asked me, "has your plane arrived yet?" Yep, she is another one that also votes!

"You can lead a person to knowledge, but you can't make them think."



HAPPY HALLOWEEN
posted by HCL at 1:20 AM

 
UPDATE: Jarhead Inquiry

One e-mail response came in. Of course, it had to be moved from the Junk Mail folder into the "accepted" folder and just at the moment the move was being negotiated, the power glitched. When the screen came back up, the email response had disappeared. Its whereabouts is still unknown, i.e., MIA. So - - -

WILL THE UNKNOWN MARINE WHO REPLIED TO THE JARHEAD POST PLEASE RESEND THE EMAIL? Please give my 'receptors' another chance!! We really need your input on this one!
posted by HCL at 12:45 PM

 
INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW

Although it's an honor (and certainly very gratifying) that Indigo Insights gets many search hits for information about the United States Marine Corps, I must publicly state that my love of the Corps does not automatically make me a good source of information. But here's one for you to bookmark. http://4mermarine.com/USMC/dictionary.html

There was a search on Indigo Insights this week for "jarhead" and it reminded me that I had the Marine Dictionary bookmarked, so I searched the "J" section and found this:

Jarhead.
A pejorative term for a Marine. One account suggests that it refers to the Marine high and tight haircut which is cut almost to the skin at the ears with a bit more as it goes up the head giving the appearance of a jar. Another legend says that during World War II the Mason Jar Company stopped making jars and made the helmets for Marines.

My memory differs from this, however, in that the 'jarhead' reference goes back to WW2, while the 'high and tight' I thought to be more contemporary. 'Jarhead' from my repertoire of WW2 Marine lore DID NOT refer to the Mason Jar Company!!! Any Marines out there have any recollections or opinions? Glenn B. Knight and I would really like to know.

[indigoinsightsAThotmailDOTcom]
posted by HCL at 10:40 AM

 
"The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they are okay, then it's you."
--Rita Mae Brown


Yep, it's me alright!! It's complicated - but a Reader's Digest headline might read something like: "Indigo finally loses it and cancels blogging career." But not exactly as interpreted by BlogSon -- bless his heart.

Any one thing that I'd cite as a reason for my current dysfunction would seem so insignificant, I'd be ashamed to share it with anyone. But I "made a list" -- my first step toward survival when the doo-doo is deep and debilitating. The list is of the things that have been back-burnered until they have become priorities. You know that one? My creative juices, whatever they once were, are totally depleted, or very difficult to tap into while overwhelmed with existing circumstances. So this is an announcement to the blogosphere that I'm all funked out again. Someone should write a song named that and then I could just sing a few bars. The funk-fests seem to be getting closer and closer together. Trying to function under a lot of pressures right now - not the least of which are health-related - and I'm weary of pushing to meet self-imposed blogging responsibilities in addition to other issues. So it's over and out for a while, as far as much posting goes. Maybe I'll make a new career of lurking. commenting and e-mailing. And of course my favorite: an occasional "pastie"!! Oh, and I always "ping" the new posts for those who use that feature. [indigoinsightsAThotmailDOTcom]
posted by HCL at 12:28 AM

 
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT!

Great tool instead of driving around looking for the cheapest gas.

Here's one of the handiest sites that I've come across to deal with gas prices. It will let you know the cheapest gas price in your area by zip code, so you can pass by those higher priced ones and go directly to the 'cheapest' pumps. This one works in real time and is updated hourly. How's that for combating high gas prices? Check it out and pass it along!

http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src=Netx

Scroll down below map and check out the listings.
posted by HCL at 9:00 PM

 
PRICELESS
from Hog's Den


WHICH BRANCH OF THE MILITARY IS BEST?

A Soldier, a Sailor, an Airman, and a Marine got into an argument about which service was "the best". The arguing became so heated the four servicemen failed to see an oncoming truck. They were run over by the truck and killed instantly. Soon the four servicemen found themselves at the Pearly Gates of Heaven. There, they met Saint Peter and decided that only he could be the ultimate source of truth and honesty. So, the four servicemen asked him, "Saint Peter, which branch of the United States Armed Forces is the best?" Saint Peter replied, "I can't answer that. However, I will ask God what He thinks the next time I see Him. Meanwhile, thank you for your service on Earth and welcome to Heaven."
Some time later the four servicemen see Saint Peter and remind him of the question they had asked when first entering Heaven. The four servicemen asked Saint Peter if he was able to find the answer. Suddenly, a sparkling white dove lands on Saint Peter's shoulder. In the dove's beak is a note glistening with gold dust. Saint Peter says to the four Servicemen, "Your answer from the Boss. Let's see what He says." Saint Peter opens the note, trumpets blare, gold dust drifts into the air, harps play crescendos, and Saint Peter begins to read the note aloud to the four Servicemen:

MEMORANDUM FROM THE DESK OF THE ALMIGHTY ONE

TO: Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines

SUBJ: WHICH MILITARY SERVICE IS BEST

Gentlemen, all branches of the United States Armed Forces are honorable and noble. Each serves America well and with distinction. Being a serviceman in the United States Military represents a special calling warranting special respect, tribute and dedication. Be proud of that.

Sincerely,

GOD, USMC(Ret.)
posted by HCL at 12:03 PM

 
INCOMING
Greg, Ayden, NC


Old age, I decided, is a gift.

I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be.
Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body ... the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt.
And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror, but I don't agonize over those things for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly.
As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself.
I've become my own friend.
I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to overeat, to be messy, to be extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 a.m., and sleep until noon?

I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love... I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the bikini set.

They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten ... and I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken.

How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when a beloved pet gets hit by a car?
But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion.
A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
I can say "no", and mean it. I can say "yes", and mean it.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive.
You care less about what other people think.
I don't question myself anymore.
I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question,
I like being old. It has set me free.

I like the person I have become.
I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here,
I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be.

And I shall eat dessert every single day.

GREG
posted by HCL at 9:23 AM

 
INCOMING
Inspirational Katrina story
from a Happy Dog


Subject: Shelter Commander Keesler AFB - Katrina

Command: Category 4
Lt Col Randy Coats, 333d Training Squadron/CC

Command. There's no better job in the world. After seven years in jobs with "command authority" and two squadron commands, I figured I had a good idea what command was all about. I was wrong. What changed my mind? Four words--"Shelter Commander" and "Hurricane Katrina."

From 28 Aug - 2 Sep, I lived with 730 of my "closest friends" in 50-year old Bryan Hall at Keesler AFB, MS. It was my third stint as a shelter commander, but it was unlike anything I had experienced before. As life slowly returns to normal on the Gulf Coast and I reflect on the experience, I've come to appreciate the unpredictability of command and how much an event like Katrina can change people and communities.

First, you have to understand some basics. My shelter is a unique animal on Keesler. Most shelters here are dedicated primarily to one unit. Mine is not. I have all the active duty and family members from a wide variety of units--two training squadrons, CE and Security Forces (and prisoners), 100+ Marines, communications students (NCOs and roughly 60 Lt's), 150 NCO Academy students and their faculty, and 50 international officers and their families. The building is an old nuclear fallout shelter, with no windows and no shower facilities. With that setting in mind, I offer the following memories and thoughts on Hurricane Katrina.

25 Aug (Thu): One of my sharpest young MSgt points out Katrina "may grow into something over the weekend" and suggests we update our shelter/evacuation data sheets. I admire his enthusiasm, tell him "that's not a bad idea", then promptly forget to do anything because Katrina's not headed our way at all and I've got other things to do besides worry about a piddly Category 1 storm.

27 Aug (Sat): Two CAT meetings. Katrina has strengthened and is headed our way, due to arrive Monday afternoon. Tentatively plan to open shelters Monday morning. I remember the MSgt's words and begin repeating every officer's golden rule--"Never ignore a SNCO…Never ignore a SNCO."

28 Aug (Sun): Turn on CNN before heading to 0800 CAT. Radar picture shows Katrina is Category 5, taking up the whole Gulf of Mexico and headed straight for us, due to arrive before dawn Monday. "Never ignore a SNCO…Never ignore a SNCO."
- 1000: Initiate full recall and order all personnel to evacuate or shelter NLT 2100. Many people out of town for the weekend. Accountability is a nightmare.
- 1700: Open the shelter. People/families begin arriving. Have to stop two refrigerators, one 21" TV set, and three mattresses at the door. Students (of all ranks) drafted to help carry bags into the shelter. People told to bring food and water for three days. Most bring food for two days; smokers bring cigarettes for twenty days. Have to break the news--no smoking inside the shelter and once you're checked in you can't go outside (Hotel California rules).
- 2200: Doors locked and boarded up from the outside by CE (one door in an alcove left uncovered).

29 Aug (Mon):
0500: Winds howling; can hear them best through vents in bathrooms at the end of the hallway (It didn't sound like this during Hurricane Ivan)
0800: Shelterees (hereafter referred to as "the Natives") start moving around 0800. Smokers looking for nicotine fix, but remain calm.
1000: Local news reports indicate rising waters, violent winds. Plywood ripped from external doorways (I start getting uneasy; plywood has never moved in previous storms, much less flown away)..
1200: News reports 20+ feet of water in local mall. Natives getting anxious. Smokers getting jittery.
Afternoon:
- Power goes out; generators kick in. Not good. CE told us power can only go out if high-tension cables that survived 200-mph winds during Hurricane Camille go down. A/C stops working; ventilation fans stop working. No windows, no open doors, 731 nervous people…in Mississippi…in August. Ask for generator fuel status and burn rate. Have enough fuel for two days.
- Natives who smoke starting to visibly shake; many look physically ill.
- Cable TV goes out. Natives get creative with antennas. Spotted the bottom half of an NCO sticking out from ceiling tiles. Apparently reception is better if you connect a stripped copper comm cable from the TV to pipes in the ceiling. I appoint a safety observer and hope for the best.
- CE reports primary generator has flames coming out of it, so shut it off. Lost internet connectivity. Down to one generator; power only in hallways and a few rooms.
- Water stops running. Toilets overflowing. With medical advice, I brief the Natives on how to use plastic bags for toilet facilities (someone used this method within 10 minutes). Disposal of plastic bags in a sealed building is a concern. Adventurous major goes into the basement and finds 1961-vintage Civil Defense Survival Sanitation Kits. Basically, a 3-foot tall cardboard porta-potty with a hole cut in the top. This does not look fun. However, 44-year old toilet paper (it was dated) is surprisingly soft.
- One hour later: Water comes back thanks to CE heroes going out in the storm to repair pumping station. I hug the first CE troop I can find. Sanitation Kits thankfully not used, but kept on standby.
- CE troops coming off shift report half of flight-line underwater; BX and Comissary 6 feet deep and rising; trees down all over base; CE building collapsed. Natives begin to get the picture--this is worse than Hurricanes Ivan or Dennis.
Evening:
1800: Winds still dangerous so cannot open doors. It's hot…it's humid…Natives are getting cranky. Smokers showing signs of extreme duress. One is carrying two unlit cigarettes around. I suggest he tear one open and put it behind his lip for a nicotine fix. He informs me he's already eaten an entire pack and it didn't help. Can't think of anything to say in response, so I pat him on the back and wish him luck.
- Babies and young kids getting grumpy; too hot to nap.
- Barely-visible news reports (on very fuzzy TV picture) report massive devastation in the area. Dead silence in hallway as Natives crowd around the lone TV with a discernible picture. Tension rising.
2000: Too hot to breathe. 731 nervous people generate a lot of sweat and a variety of smells. Command Post says stay locked down, don't open doors. Natives make strange noises when I walk by. Not sure the "Shelter Commander" badge is a good thing to be wearing right now. First Sergeant reports Natives consider me the embodiment of evil.
- Cops go on shift. The best NCO in the AF is assigned to patrol base housing; he offers to try to check on my cat during his shift (we left her in the hallway of my house).
2100: Even hotter. Poked my head outside--it's ugly but winds have died down. Command Post says stay buttoned up. Natives mumbling in small groups about how to eliminate a commander. Survival instincts tell me to get some air in here. Posted Marines at every exit and opened all the doors. I'm a hero; Natives love me. Haven't heard "thank you" this much since I put my shirt back on at the squadron pool party.
2200: Smokers running out of cigarettes to eat. Open a side door and rope off a 10' x 10' smoking area. No more than five people at a time; no more than five minutes. Sucking cigarettes look like blow-torches in reverse. Everyone loves me.
- Nobody sleeps much. Tough to sleep in pools of sweat.

30 August (Tuesday):
0145: One of my NCOs wakes me up because "Cops want to talk to you, Sir". SFS NCO is direct. "The good news is your cat is fine." Next question obvious. As he hands back my house key he adds, "The bad news is I didn't need this to get into your house." Doesn't quite register…"How'd you get in?" He looked me straight in the eye and said, "I walked through your back wall." That can't be good at all. Looks like a total loss. My wife was on a cot in the hallway. I woke her up to give her the news. Her response? "I guess it'll be easy to pack when we move next year." (She's getting anything she wants for Christmas, forever). Spend the rest of the night thinking of how to stay focused and project a positive attitude given that all my worldly possessions will probably fit in a gym bag. (note: we were eventually able to save most things above 4 feet)
0700: Bad news spreads like wildfire. Entire shelter knows about my house. Lots of supportive comments as I wander the halls but I see the struggle behind the words--they're sorry for my loss but worry about their own. Their concern for my family despite fears for their own touches me deeply. First time in 19 years I've really had to fight back tears, but I've got to do the commander thing and project a positive attitude. As I walk the hallways I truly feel "the burden of command." My family is safe; I have to push my losses aside for now. These 730 people have no access to information other than what I tell them. I am their link to the outside world. I see them watching me, watching how I react and looking for cues as they try to figure out how they should feel--is the commander scared? Depressed? Worried? Confident? I realize that their mood over the next few days will be a direct reflection of what they perceive as my mood. I've been tested in command before, but never like this.
0800: Drive to CAT meeting across base. Devastation is shocking. Trees down everywhere. Cars trashed everywhere. Windows out. Walls out. Buildings collapsed. Roofs ripped apart.
0930: Mass briefing to the Natives. Most uncomfortable briefing I've ever given. Reports indicate widespread devastation. Death toll probably in the hundreds. Power out for at least three weeks. Must begin water conservation. Minimum three months to resume base mission. Will not leave shelter for at least three days. 730 stunned and scared faces focused on me. All are easy to read. (1) realization of how bad it is, (2) fear of what it did to their homes. Worst possible situation for a commander--troops need reassurance I can't give. Struggle to keep my voice steady. Not sure how well I did.
Afternoon:
- Natives' supplies running out. Most critical shortfalls: food, diapers, baby food, and feminine hygiene products. Issue MREs for adults. Assign "Baby POC" to track baby supplies. Develop new metric for morning/evening briefings--diaper burn rate. 17 infants in shelter x 5 diapers/day & 4 jars of baby food/day. Have one day supply of diapers, two days of baby food, but at least three more days in the shelter. Submit urgent supply request to Command Post. Luckily, Sanitation Kits include 44-year old feminine products.
- Still no cable TV and no internet. Information is life. I average (I counted) no more than 10 steps before someone stops me to ask what's going on outside.
- Lieutenant students offer to take over operation of the Children's Recreation Room. One has been to Clown College; several brought coloring books. First Sergeant asks me later (a) "How come the officers have coloring books?" and (b) "How come some of the pictures were colored in before the children started using them?" Honor of the officer corps is at stake; I quickly assign the Shirt to a meaningless task to distract her. Hope it worked. Best not to ask. (Note: to be perfectly honest, that actually happened during Hurricane Dennis in July, but it's 100% true and was too good a story not to include here)
- Pregnant Native goes into premature labor. Ambulance evacuates her to hospital.
- Another uncomfortable night. All Natives (and myself) report profuse sweating in lieu of sleep. Set up special room with lots of fans for children to sleep in. Authorized Chaplain to take a small raiding party to Chapel next door to get rocking chairs for parents with small children.

31 August (Wed):
- 731 people, 36+ hours with no a/c and no showers. Natives stink. Shelter stinks. Natives convinced everyone stinks but themselves. Shirt reports Natives blame it all on me. Wife asks if I can boost SGLI from here. Tasked my most creative NCO to come up with some way to hose people off. Result: water hose connected to sink in bathroom supply closet, with sandbag walls leading to drain in center of bathroom. No hot water, but showers are a success. Still rationing water--3 minute shower every other day. Nonetheless, Natives can wash away the stink for at least 10 minutes till they start sweating again. I'm a hero.
- Still hot. Two cases of dehydration evacuated to hospital. I'm dehydrated, nauseous, and weak despite drinking constantly. Can't believe I let this happen. Check with medics, but saline solution is in short supply and if I'm still walking I don't need it bad enough. They give me some good drugs to control symptoms. Eight hours, 240 ounces of water (I had to keep track), and 9,000 bathroom breaks later I feel much better.
- Lots of debris around the building. Still dangerous for people to go outside, but Natives are getting stir-crazy. Assigned a team to clear and rope off an area near the building. Post guards to ensure nobody wanders off, then allow small groups outside for fresh air for short periods of time. They love me again.
- Wing/CC reads off list of inbound aid at CAT meeting. Not the same as hearing it on TV. I never imagined that it would mean so much to know that so many people are focused on helping you.
- Baby supplies critical. Wing/CC orders a raid on what's left of Commissary and BX. Deliveries to shelters save the day.
- Another bad briefing to the Natives. Only one way to explain why they can't leave the shelter--tell them the truth as I know it. Looting rampant off-base. Looters in base housing. AF member car-jacked right outside the gate. No gas in local area; $5/gallon three hours away. Chaos in New Orleans is moving our way. Extra Security Forces with .50 cals on HMMWVs en route to help secure the base.
- Natives frantic about their homes. They fear anything that survived the storm won't survive the looters. Try to focus them on aid headed our way. Emotions running high. One woman goes into shock; evacuated to hospital.
- Another sweaty, sleepless night. Natives apparently locate world's largest stock of extension cords. Conservative estimates indicate we're running 500 fans off 5 power outlets and 2,000 extension cords. Confiscated the most impressive daisy chains as a safety hazard. Briefed Shelter Management Team to increase fire checks of the building.

01 Sep (Thu):
- Cannot release people to return to homes overnight due to security concerns. However, must let Natives assess their homes or risk bodily harm trying to keep them here. Strict guidelines for home assessments--provide written route of travel; must have a wingman; no dependents can go; max of one hour to save what you can and return to shelter; must be decontaminated before reentering shelter because many houses (mine included) have sludge/sewage inches deep. Lieutenants do great job controlling departure and decon lines.
- Natives return to shelter. Many are homeless. Commander School never taught me how to respond to "I have nothing left," or how to comfort women and men crying uncontrollably in my arms. Some cried for what they lost, some for what they saw. News reports didn't prepare them for seeing not just their home but their entire neighborhood destroyed, or for the cops telling them the bad smell they noticed was probably neighbors who tried to ride out the storm and were buried in the rubble. My only consolation is that I know how they feel. The stink in the house made me gag; the mud was gooey, sticky, and got on everything. My wife spent years building a beautiful collection of Amish figurines. Seeing the trail of broken figures across two yards (I never found the curio cabinet) was painful to endure. Crabs running across my feet in the bedroom (which scared the bee-geezus out of me) was a comical twist to a non-comical situation.
- In an attempt to improve morale, the chow hall (excuse me, "Dining Facility") next to the shelter opens for one hot meal of whatever was available. Natives happily wait in line 2+ hours for rice with spaghetti sauce and a piece of bread. After the week we've had, it's like Grandma's Thanksgiving dinner.
- Third straight day of gorgeous weather. Security still a big concern. My DO reports her neighbors shot a looter (it may not be politically correct, but I applaud their initiative). Natives don't care, they just want out. Shelter Commanders compare notes at CAT—we're all seriously concerned about tempers rising in the shelters. Believe the Natives are just about at the breaking point.
- Still no a/c. Lots of sweat and little sleep.

02 Sep (Fri):
- Security situation better. Natives' are about worn out. Wing/CC authorizes release from shelters. Six days and five nights we will never forget, and the recovery efforts have only just begun.

To say that Hurricane Katrina has been a "life event" would be an understatement. During my time running the Bryan Hall shelter I saw the best and the worst of people first-hand. Some sat in their little piece of floor space and watched others work to make the situation better. Most looked for every opportunity to help others and to make our little slice of hell a little more comfortable. I was amazed at how easy it was to read their faces. I could see clearly as fear changed to shock, disbelief, then anger. I watched in amazement as the anger was replaced with a calm sense of resolve and focus to simply move forward and do what needed to be done. From the little boy I found wandering the halls at midnight (obviously looking for a bathroom) to the lieutenants who stepped up, took charge when I asked, and showed all of us what "officership" is all about, every person in that shelter taught me their own unique and valuable lesson about command.

The CE troops and the Cops in my shelter taught me the meaning of dedication. I watched them tramp in and out on shift work throughout the storm and its aftermath. They were wet, muddy, sweaty, and tired. But every time they came through those doors they took time to find someone whose house they checked on and they always stopped by to give me an update on what they saw. To quote a favorite TV show of mine, "They were…magnificent." My Wing/CC described it perfectly a few days after the storm. Some puffed-up colonel called him up in the CAT and said "General so-and-so is coming down there. I want to know who the most important person on that base is and I want their name right now." The boss' response was classic. "Well, colonel, the most important person on this base is a Staff Sergeant with a chainsaw and if you'll give me ten minutes I'll get that name for you." CE and Cops. If you're looking for the heroes of Keesler, I'll be happy to escort you to their buildings.

As for the rest of the folks in the shelter, they were just as amazing in a different way. For all but the first 16 hours of our 6-day adventure they lived in a hot, poorly-ventilated building with virtually no amenities but running water. Most slept on tile floors. All slept in puddles of their own sweat. All spent 5 days not knowing whether or not they had a home to go home to. Yet through all of it, they kept a sense of humor and worked together to make the best of a bad situation. Even in the darkest moments I never walked down the hall without hearing a constant stream of "Morning, Colonel!" "How's it going, Sir?" or "Hey, Sir! When's the beer truck getting here?" I was only chewed out once by a shelteree. I would argue that in a "typical" group of 731 people, I would've been chewed out several times a day at least.

In my 19 years of service I have never seen a better demonstration of the military "family", or a better demonstration of true professionalism. I have to add, though, that what I've seen in the 12 days since has been just as impressive. The base and its leadership have been amazing. In addition to bringing our mission back on-line in less than 3 weeks, we've provided critical support to local communities. At last count, we'd sent nearly 50 missions out the gates to deliver food, water, and medical support. I was the CAT Director when a local cop showed up and said the shelter down the street had an outbreak of diarrhea and vomiting. The boss had medical teams, food, and water on site within 30 minutes. The list goes on and on.

The same is true for my own unit. With more than one-third of my squadron homeless, my troops (military and civilian) have done things that will bring a tear to anyone's eye. Not one single person in my unit has cleaned out a storm-damaged home alone. We've had teams out every day helping squadron members and retirees (and sometimes people we didn't even know) cut trees and clean out flooded homes. They have made me proud to be part of their team and proud to be part of the US military. They have taught me when it comes right down to it they don't need leadership. They are, each and every one of them, leaders in their own right. Leaders with the willingness, the desire, and the compassion to do the right thing without being told. In truth, they don't need a commander, they only need a cheerleader who will give them the support and the freedom they need to do what needs to be done. When I look back in years to come and ponder what Hurricane Katrina taught me about command, that may just be the most important lesson of all.

UPDATE: Oooops to the Cajun who linked this story 2 days ago!! Sorry, Dale. I just saw it tonight.
posted by HCL at 5:15 PM

 
It must be a genetic flaw. (see BlogSon's blog) Yesterday I, too, pushed the boundaries of good sense and picked up something I shouldn't have. Still waiting for the back to cooperate. Meanwhile, not much typing from this corner. I will regale you with a really neat and original e-mail I received: A new list to this native North Carolinian and I've seen a bunch of them! IOW: Pasties UFN!


INCOMING
from Tyler, Winston Salem

YOU KNOW YOU'RE FROM NORTH CAROLINA WHEN . . .

You've gotten used to the smell of cow manure on a car trip to Raleigh.
Saying "y'all" isn't just a cute expression; it actually means something.
There are big Labrador retrievers in the back of every truck.
You give directions using KFC and Waffle House as landmarks.
You still see Dale Earnheart tributes on cars.
You can't imagine life without Bojangles'sweet tea.
Your annual church fundraiser always deals with BBQ and potato salad.
You have a sunburn from May to October.
Your 'heavy winter clothing' consists of some turtleneck sweaters, a fuzzy jacket, and your daddy's boots.
Your family has fried chicken once a week.
You can tell the difference between cotton fields and tobacco fields while driving.
One of your neighbors has a Confederate flag hanging on their front porch.
You've been "properly raised", and yankees love it when they hear you say "ma'am" and "sir".
You get your carbs from biscuits, rolls, pancakes, and grits.
You know the difference between a "redneck" and a "hick".
You own at least one surf shop or seafood restaurant shirt.
No matter what those people in Ohio say, we are still "first in flight".
The Coca-Cola 600 is as big as the Super Bowl.
You prefer Chick-fil-a to KFC.
You know pastry is a chicken stew, not a dessert item.
Every time you visit someone you're offered something to eat and a glass of tea.
Your granddaddy always wore overalls and your grandma always wore an apron.
In summer you have home-grown tomatoes with every meal.
When it rains and the creek rises, everyone gathers to see how high it rose.
You know that "chunk" the ball means to throw it.
You've had a burger "all the way" - chili and slaw on it.
You can recognize a copperhead and your heart drops when you see one.
You have at least one relative that raises collards.
Your folks have taken trips to the mountains to look at leaves.
Your school classes were cancelled because of a hurricane.
Your school classes were cancelled because of a snow flurry.
You know Krispy Kreme makes the best doughnut.
You have an opinion about UNC. You went there and loved it, or you hate everyone who did.
You know the best BBQ is found in Lexington.
You would rather eat at Bojangles's than McDonald's
You have actually uttered the phrase "It's too hot to go to the pool."
You faithfully drink Pepsi or Mt. Dew everyday of your life.
You have your own secret BBQ sauce.
You or your neighbors have more hunting dogs than you have family members.
You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from North Carolina.

[Indigo Note: The foregoing were NOT jokes! I can attest to every one except the Lexington Urban Legend!]
posted by HCL at 6:45 PM