I'm Baaaaak

R

Richard Gross

Joined
Jul 7, 2005
Messages
191
And very glad at that. What a trip!! Got back last night. First thing I did when I got home was get out of my clothes (they went into the trash for I don't believe I would ever get the smell out of them) and jumped into the shower. Stood in the shower for over 30 minutes. Boy, did that ever feel good. And my bed never looked better. I have never been in a situation such as New Orleans. I was at the Superdome for my entire tenure there. What a mess that was. Totally unprepared and unfit for the multitudes that arrived. I was at the food table, handing out water and MREs to the evacuees. For the first couple of days, not bad. Folks were pretty orderly. Then, as time passed, and no help was forthcoming, folks started getting a bit testy. Fortunately, we had some National Guard troops to help us keep order. Had a couple of armed National Guard standing at our table. Not so much to keep order, but to keep us from harm. Someone asked what was it like in the Superdome. Well, if you take the water from your toiled, fill it with feces and urine. Close the door and wait a day. Then, go in and close the door behind you and stay there for 24+ hours. That pretty much sums up what it was like in the dome. My SOGs were worth their weight in gold during this trip. I used the PowerLock quite a bit. The Flash came in handy for opening boxes of MREs and water. My Trident Folder was just for personal protection. At one time, during a bit of unrest at the table, I just took it out of my pocket, opened it (that drew a bit of attention) and just laid it on the table right next to where I was working. Never did have any problems. In all my years of working in disaster management and recovery, did I experience the problems that we experienced in NO. A genuine Cluster F***!! All in all, the volunteers from all over the US, the National Guard, and all the others (too numerous to name) performed above and beyond the call. If it had not been for all these people, I shudder to think what would have become of those thousands of poor folks in the dome and convention center. GLAD TO BE BACK!!! By the way, I sure could have used a Revolver during this trip. There were a couple of times a Revolver would have come in real handy, especially the Seal Revolver. The saw blade on the PowerLock is just not up to the task when it comes to BIG things to cut. Like table legs (needed to shorten) and some other tasks that involved cutting with a saw. As soon as I can put together some funds, going to definitely order one.
 
Richard, we are very glad to have you back safe.

What a mess, I have smelled things similar to that in the past, and I'm sure that smell will be with you for a long time. You deserve a good long rest now.

We just watched on t.v. and could not believe what was happening, thank goodness it has settled down a little from what it was.

The SEAL Revolver would have been a great knife to have had strapped on under those circumstances. The bottom line is this, if you don't need a saw, you sure don't have to use it, but it's great knowing you have one.

Again, thanks for your help, we all sincerely appeciate your kindness.

Robbie Roberson :) :thumbup:
 
As we rode out to the airport, we could see that a lot of NO was beginning to show signs of life. Water was receding in a lot of places. To be honest, it will be a long, long time before NO is back to where it was. A lot longer than most folks think, and certainly longer than those politicians down there are stating. My guess is at least 5-10 years. Even after the water is gone and the trash cleaned up, most if not all of the homes, businesses, and other buildings will be uninhabitable due to mold, mildew, etc. I envision something akin to the rebuilding of cities in post WWII Europe. Bulldoze a block at a time and rebuild. Then let the citizens move in, and move onto the next block. Will take time, and a whole lot of $$$$, but, in the long run, this will be the best way to do it. But, then, what do I know, I'm not involved in politics. And Thank God for that!!!! Thanks for the good words as well. Someone mentioned to us that we were heroes to them. I did not, and do not consider myself any kind of hero. Just doing a job. The real heroes were and are the guys and gals out in the field-doing the real dirty work. And the Coast Guard and Navy Helo pilots that were plucking people off of rooftops, these are the real heroes. I'm heading off to my nice clean bed with that lovely soft pillow. Will talk again later. Take Care and Thanks for all your prayers and good thoughts.
 
Welcome back!! It's good to hear you made it out safe, I'll bet thats an experience you won't soon forget. Once again, thanks for your help down there, it's more than most Americans are willing to do.:):thumbup:
 
With all the goings and comings and such, I forgot to mention a very important event. Last Saturday evening at 1717, the wife and I became grandparents again for the fifth time (and more than likely, the last). Alyssa Gross came into the world weighing 6lb 6oz and 19in long. She is my son and his wife's third girl. Mike was hoping for a boy, but I guess the female genes dominate in that family. Anyway, Mom, Alyssa, and father and sisters are all doing just wonderful. What a blessing for the wife and I after the past two weeks.
 
Richard, congrats and welcome back. Glad you made it safe and sound. Thanks for updating us, have been wondering how you were doing.

Congrats to your son as well. Always ince to have another little one around. I'm an Uncle 40+ times over and jump for joy when ever a new niece or nephew is born. :thumbup:

Heber
 
Welcome Back !! obviously an adventure.

Way back on August 6th I read a book about "the big event." Some similarities in that "most everything" related to infrastructure was destroyed or nearly so.
As I've read the sitreps coming out of NO I've been reminded of those similarities. One word keeps flashing, "unimaginable." I reckon that's an understatement to those who've actually been there.

But the concept of rebuilding keeps me in amazement. Isn't "most everything" below sea level ?? Which implies the levee's need to first be rebuilt, then the place pumped dry, before any thoughts of "rebuild" can occur ??

Anyway, Glad You Are Home Safe and the granddaughter is well.

Cheers,

Carl
 
Just got back from son's 40th Birthday party. Ate too much as usual. Great time was had by all. Must apologize for not being around much. Been catching up on sleep and family. Also, been helping out with local efforts gathering clothing and food stuffs to be air-lifted back to NO and other areas along the gulf coast. San Diego has sent at least 4 747 sized aircraft full of stuff to the Gulf Coast. I have never seen such an outpouring of aid. Simply amazing. And, boy, is this old man tired. Loaded two such aircraft since I have been back (not by myself, thankfully. Had lots of volunteer help.) But, it sure feels good to be back in San Diego once again.
 
Richard, a question I have been wanting to ask someone that has seen it in real life...............How long will it take in your estimation ?


How long to rebuild N.O. ? Thanks.

Thanks for all you have done............. :D :thumbup:

Robbie Roberson ;)
 
and the problems they have as to the location of NO, I estimate at least 5 years to get NO back in business. Could even take longer for the residents to reconstruct their homes and their lives. I have never seen devestation so complete in my entire life. Some areas are totally destroyed. St. Bernard Parish, which is located right next to the Lake is completely gone. Nothing left there at all. Total distruction. My heart and prayers go out to all the folks who are still there and those who hope to rebuild. Those folks are strong, but are they strong enough? That is the question that remains to be answered.
 
Richard, thanks for the reply, that is what I wondered. I had not heard anyone make a guess yet and I was curious.

What a shame, it's still hard to imagine this happening, even though the experts said it would. :(

Robbie Roberson ;)
 
such a beautiful city (before the flood). Due to many mistakes by both local politicians and at the state level, much was not done that could have, maybe not prevented all of the distruction, but to be sure, it would have been much less. The destruction that I observed was just unbelievable. BTW: I have been notified by the local Red Cross chapter that I am now on Alert Status for Rita. Will probably be going to either Galveston or Corpus Christi next week some time, depending on when and where Rita makes landfall. So, here I sit, sharpening my SOGs, and getting my kit ready for another trip. Just bought a pair of new boots to replace the ones destroyed by Katrina. I did manage to get my Pentegon Elite II replaced for this trip. Just love the action of this knife. Good weight and balance as well. So, this trip I will be taking the Powerlock (never go anywhere without it), the Trident folder, The Pentegon, and on my back pack in the little cell phone holder will be my aluminum handled Flash II. Should be ready for most anything.
 
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