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Undeniably the images etched in our minds from the destruction and chaos of Katrina will forever weigh on our hearts. However, despite the tears and the sleepless nights that have followed, it would be equally tragic to ignore the profound acts of generosity, compassion, and sacrifice, no matter how large or small, that flooded the streets of New Orleans in the immediate aftermath of Katrina, and continue to saturate the city today .
Here in New Orleans, after Katrina, First Responders joined forces with civilian volunteers to rescue as well as meet the needs of tens of thousands of people. From grandmothers to commissioned police officers, people selflessly put the needs of others first.
Grandmother Gwendolyn Martin Washington, seeking refuge with the rest of her family in an attic to escape the rising water, fell through the ceiling sustaining painful unknown injuries to her rib area. In agonizing pain, once transported to dry land, she was laid onto I-10 until further aid could come. Using the curb as a pillow, no shade and temperatures near 100, Ms. Washington, without hesitation, offered her umbrella as shade to her two small grand children. Ms Washington is pictured below as captured by Photographer Rick Wilking of Reuters, shortly after being rescued.
* If you know the where a bouts of Ms Washington today, please contact me. Thank you.
joe@sharethemoon.org
New Orleans Police Officer Kevin Thomas, shot in the head by a looter, fought for his life in the days immediately following Katrina. It just so happened Officer Thomas was a newlywed at the time. Three months prior to Katrina he married his wife Thelma. Lovingly, his new bride Thelma, anxiously kept a bedside vigil at West Jefferson Hospital uncertain what the fate of her new spouse would be. Officer Thomas eventually awoke, with Thelma at his side. Though he is still recovering from his injuries and is unable to return to work, he maintains a spirit of gratitude for life and family. Officer Thomas and Thelma are pictured below.
These two stories are just the tip of the iceberg of the countless unseen and unknown acts of tens of thousands of silent heroes. Please join us on Saturday August 28 at The Le Petit Theatre in Jackson Square to help honor first reponders, family, friends, neighbors and all who have so generously given of themselves as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
Courtesy Naturalist Berit Solstad
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