Helping not talking

n his 17 years with The Salvation Army, Capt. Ernest Lozano has seen his share of disasters, from destructive tornadoes and floods to the horrific Oklahoma City bombing. He´s also witnessed the devastating effects of many hurricanes, including Andrew and Hugo.
But Lozano´s never experienced anything like Hurricane Katrina.
Lozano left last Thursday for Baton Rouge, a city located 80 miles from New Orleans whose population has doubled from 250,000 to 500,000 with evacuees.

“These people need a lot right now. We´re still in the phase where we´re trying to give them sustenance like food and water.”

Water is being brought in by the truckload.

“We have plenty of that. We´ve even run out of warehouse space for a lot of supplies. When we get toward the recovery phase, we´re going to need things like cleaning supplies, mops, brooms, things of that nature. Also personal hygiene items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant . . .

“When they go back to their homes, everything is going to be gone. It´s just a slab...

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Many Oklahomans have been in Louisiana all week helping in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Tulsa nurses are treating patients. Oklahoma churches are distributing food. Chain saw crews and utility companies are working to clear debris and Oklahoma National Guard members are answering the call.

Oklahoma's 45th Infantry Division calls a Wal-Mart parking lot in New Orleans home for now. More than 3,000 Oklahoma National Guard members are part of a force of 14,000 soldiers on the ground in hurricane damaged areas.

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DOD summarized their response...

Oklahoma soldier: "Every soldier down here is very proud of the opportunity to come down here and help fellow Americans in this very very terrible catastrophe."