Well - - - here we (Louisiana) are again in the eye of a hurricane with the difference being that this is already a category 5 and Katrina came ashore as a category 3.
My first thoughts are of those who have already suffered devastating losses from Katrina, Rita and Wilma. To understand what these people have lost - - you would have to have been there behind enemy lines, seeing and experiencing the pain and suffering, the painful heart breaking squeals of the survivors cries and the desperate looks on the faces of those who were desperately - frantically searching for their fathers, mothers, children, brothers and sisters or anyone who they knew. My thought this evening as I write this is to please remember to say a prayer for those who may be on the front line in the days to come. If you serve a God who answers prayer - - - please take a few extra prayer minutes to remember those relief workers who give so unselfishly (and so unaware of what lies ahead of them) to assist those who live in the affected areas - - the strength to bear what they are going to be faced with when they arrive on scene. It is a heart wrenching, very emotional and life changing event when you stop and think about the way it has changed so many people's lives. I am talking about the workers - - not just those who lived in the area. I can honestly say that I don't know if I am mentally strong enough to bear the pain again - - going back into a disaster zone such as what Katrina left in her wake. Katrina, Rita and Wilma have left a scar on my soul that still weeps for the old folks that had no flood insurance, lived on $700.00 a month, (retirement & SS together) homes paid for, 1976 Monte Carlo with 37,000 miles on it and two dogs one day and the next have a lone slick slab where their home stood proudly yesterday and the landscape washed clear and clean - - not a brick on the property, but 16 blocks inland they take bull dozers (Army Corp of Engineers) and shove the carnage, bricks, boards, cars, trees - - just massive heaps of junk (peoples whole lives & livelihoods) piled twenty feet high (strung out for miles and miles where the storm surge shoved it) and shove it off the roads and into huge piles of what is now called "Garbage." This folks - - being part of this has humbled me deeply and forever. I have had several calls today from individuals, The Washington Post and John Tully of MikroTik asking about my plan for disaster aid after Gustav. Well, I guess my plan is to wait and see what is going to happen and see if the great State of Louisiana is any better prepared this time than last time. The traffic headed out of South Louisiana is incredible, the busses are loading up down town New Orleans and the Amtrak has a 6 block line waiting to board it. There are already some satellite links in strategic places and it appears that our new (and much improved) Governor (Bobby Jindal) is already on top of things. It appears he has his priorities right since he made the call to move LSU's opening football game from a 4:00pm kick off today to a 10:30 am kick off so folks could get out of town early. Truth of the matter is - - if you are willing to assist in hurricane Gustav wireless relief - - send me an email off list and I will contact you ASAP as things start to mature and we see what the needs may be. Let's do not take any action until we see what the needs may be - - but let's be prepared to formalize a group of WISPA Wireless Warriors who can handle some heat! Please be sure to add all your personal info - cell number, address, home number...Etc I am also proud to announce that WISPA has an air force of one! I will donate the use of my personal plane to this effort. Hunkered down praying, Mac Dearman CEO Maximum Access, LLC. www.inetsouth.com Rayville, La. 318.728.8600 318.728.9600 318.728.8642 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wireless List: [email protected] Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
