Greetings all,

Its wednesday nite and the end of an extraordinary trip.  Roger Ball, Mark Basset and Kevin Green from Carb. Fire all joined me in this mission.  We brought chain saws and borrowed Ben Taylor's tools.  The boys worked 10 hr days cutting very challenging, technical and dangerous trees all without a mistake.  I could see the relief come over the faces of the residents as the trees fell and no longer threaten their home or safety.

We continued our finishing touches on Debbie Sonnier's whose smile is as beaming as I have ever seen it.  She is in her house and while there is work to be done Mark put on his carpentry hat and finished more of the detail work that makes a house a home.  They worked right up to 12:30p today until they had to run to the airport.  None of them wanted to leave-they are "hooked" on Pearlington. 

 

I submitted another Salvation Army grant today on behalf of a group called picken up the pieces.  I hand delivered the grant to Biloxi to be sure it got in the hands of the review committee.  I also met with Liza Cowan from Americares and toured her through town showing her our work and accomplishments. What a great person she is and we had an enjoyable visit with much deep discussion as we continue to sort through the meaning of all this.

As always I hate to leave, there is so much still to do.  G. Bush flew directly over us while we were taking down the most difficult tree.  His entourage of helicopters were enroute to Gulfport from New Orleans.  Too bad he wasn't on the ground to really see who the heros are.  We could have used that helicopter, by the way.

The reunion was great with lots of remembering and recognition.  Good folks, good food, good place to be. Special thanks to Susie Sharp and Canada Jon.

Here's a quick cap of what we did:

Sandra Merle's-cut down about eight trees two of which were snagged and very dangerous, moved her shed and Eileen and Alex started gutting.

Debbie Sonnier-cut an eight foot pine a foot from her house, hung cabinets, bathroom door, drywalled, got here some curtains, few other odds and ends

Susie Necaise-dropped off donated washer and dryer

Jeanne Brooks' mother-cut a white oak from her yard

Sam Bailey-cut numerous trees along power lines and next to house

Larry Randall and Herb-cut several trees from each of their home sites-they were very relieved.

Picked up and checked out the ambulance

Worked with Paula B. and Annita B. formulating the emergency plan and nearly implementing it for Ernesto.

Wrapped up with a celebration at Turtle Landing-Ben Taylor called in the gators for the boys to see.

 

Special thanks to the Taylor's who always make their home ours and are very much a part of us.