My wife and I also worked with the Red Cross in Shreveport, LA and Orange, TX. We talked to hundreds of people whose homes were severely damaged or lost altogether. In spite of this, their mood was mostly upbeat and "we will survive" was the prevailing attitude. However, most of the poorer parishes and counties will need considerable outside help for years to come....PLEASE, continue with follow-ups to these stories so the rest of the nation does not forget these people.

The world knew what was going on in the aftermath of Katrina, but we who were in the midst of the area affected did not. When my family was here for Rita, we were able to see some news through New Orleans and Baton Rouge local reports, but all were still focused on New Orleans. Here they were, glued to the TV for reports on their homes, and the news teams were still focused on the flooding in New Orleans, even while Rita was hitting the other side of the state.

SW Louisiana's agricultural community, beef industry, rice, crawfish and alligator farmers etc., were under enormous pressure BEFORE the storms. It is gut-wrenching to think that many of these multi-generational family enterprises will go under. Their current problems exist through no fault of their own,
and despite their best efforts. If not for their unique spirit and outlook on life, they could simply walk away, and that would certainly be easier than staying and trying to overcome the effects of Mother Nature and years of neglect of the coastal erosion by government up and down the line.
On a lighter note (and they are hard to find!), my sister-in-law is worried about Avery Island, home to Tabasco. She puts La. hot sauce/and or Tabasco on and in EVERYTHING. She now buys a huge bottle of one or the other every time she goes to the grocery store, for fear of future shortages! We haven't seen or heard anything about Avery Island on the news in Texas. If anyone knows, please reassure her, before she causes a national shortage! Thanks....

I recently returned from 2 weeks with the Red Cross in Cameron/Calcasieu(Sp?)Parishes. Please comment on the strong pride/will/resiliency of these people. Their reliance on simple values and respect for one another is something we might all learn from. These folks were extremely grateful for what little help we provided. I was truly blessed by having met them.

The destruction goes so deep, it's heart-wrenching. There are so many things that many of us would never think of as aftereffects. Thank you for bringing these to the attention of the nation.