a strange twist...
The US Navy is sending several ships to New Orleans to help with the relief effort:
The Navy loaded extra fuel, water, food and bedding onto a Norfolk-based aircraft carrier Thursday and sent it and another ship to join other military ships providing relief to residents along the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast. The USS Harry S. Truman took along an additional 3 million gallons of fuel and will serve as a refueling station for helicopters rescuing stranded residents and taking supplies to the stricken area, said Cmdr. Doug Carsten, the carrier's air boss. He estimated 40 to 50 choppers could fit on the 4 1/2-acre flight deck. "This is a very noble mission," Capt. Jim Gigliotti, the Truman's commanding officer, said from the pier at Norfolk Naval Station -- where hurried preparations were being made before departure at high tide. The Truman's supply officer, Cmdr. John Palmer, said 30 to 40 tractor-trailers loaded the Truman in about 12 hours with rations for storm victims. The ship is taking an extra 20,000 bottles of water, 17,000 meals that are similar to combat rations and 9,000 frozen dinners, as well as cots and linens for 350. If necessary, Gigliotti said, some of those left homeless by the storm could be housed on the carrier.
It's hardly the first time that naval vessels have been used for humanitarian efforts. In the years following WWII, the General Haan transported a group of refugees from Eastern Europe to the US. Among those refugees were my paternal grandfather and his family. And the place they landed? The Port of New Orleans.
The Navy loaded extra fuel, water, food and bedding onto a Norfolk-based aircraft carrier Thursday and sent it and another ship to join other military ships providing relief to residents along the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast. The USS Harry S. Truman took along an additional 3 million gallons of fuel and will serve as a refueling station for helicopters rescuing stranded residents and taking supplies to the stricken area, said Cmdr. Doug Carsten, the carrier's air boss. He estimated 40 to 50 choppers could fit on the 4 1/2-acre flight deck. "This is a very noble mission," Capt. Jim Gigliotti, the Truman's commanding officer, said from the pier at Norfolk Naval Station -- where hurried preparations were being made before departure at high tide. The Truman's supply officer, Cmdr. John Palmer, said 30 to 40 tractor-trailers loaded the Truman in about 12 hours with rations for storm victims. The ship is taking an extra 20,000 bottles of water, 17,000 meals that are similar to combat rations and 9,000 frozen dinners, as well as cots and linens for 350. If necessary, Gigliotti said, some of those left homeless by the storm could be housed on the carrier.
It's hardly the first time that naval vessels have been used for humanitarian efforts. In the years following WWII, the General Haan transported a group of refugees from Eastern Europe to the US. Among those refugees were my paternal grandfather and his family. And the place they landed? The Port of New Orleans.