Can’t was not in our vocabulary

It is early evening on my eleventh day in Louisiana. Our last evacuees left our shelter yesterday, with a few contacting us today with some final issues and questions. One even called for a reservation in case we opened for Ike. We have received word that we will not be opening and we can prepared to go home over the next few days. I will be returning tomorrow with the DART Team, which will allow us to participate in the September 11 Memorial services.

There is much I want to reflect on in the days ahead and I will start that process this evening. I am very proud of what we have done here over these last eleven days. The WE I am talking about includes all of the people who were here making it work: Red Cross both here in the shelter and at the local chapter, LSU Ag Center, Pulic Health Services, Federal Protective Service,  Knight Security, Pennsylvania EMS and last but not least the evacuees.

Sorry for the interuption…

It is now 8am on Monday morning. I am back in my office, well rested and ready to return to the work of our Chapter. As I reflect back, I am still amazed at the accomplishment of our team, on behalf of the evacuees. As the title of this entry reads, can’t was not in our vocabulary. There were many obstacles along the way. It is easy to imagine how the obstacles could have overwhelmed us, but they did not. No food, go buy it; no medical services, use what we have; a clogged sewer pipe, close the bathrooms and use port-a-johns; buses showing up with evacuees without notice, welcome them as if they were expected; buses not showing up to take people home, resettle the evacuees in their cots and tell them tomorrow will be a better day.

We have learned many lessons that we will share with our colleagues, the most important being the critical role played by the American Red Cross at times of disaster. It has truly been an honor to have served the organization ond the residents of Louisiana!