|
9/29/05
To The People of
Pennsylvania: Thank You For The 56th Brigade, Company C
1/112
Letter To The Editor From
The Johnsonburg Press, Johnsonburg PA
Chris
Jovenitti, Director of Letters From Home Program
I am a Louisiana woman. I live in Washington Parish. Our
parish was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. We are a
woodsy parish, or at least we were. Many of our
beautiful pines and oaks fell on power lines, houses,
cars, sheds, barns and even animals. Thankfully, none
fell on a person.
The first few days following the storm were really bad.
Roads were blocked by huge trees and
other debris. No one had electricity for days after the
storm, some up to between 14-25 days.
People living in town (city limits) had water, but those
of us who live in the country did not.
Fortunately, I had the foresight to fill bottles, jugs,
and even the bathtub before Katrina hit us. Otherwise my
family would have been in worse shape than we were.
On day three, we were able to make a trip to town. I was
thrilled to learn that I could get ice,
water and military meals in town. Our water had run out
by that time, so the water was a lifesaver.
At first the trucks delivered the ice, water and food by
guarded GOOD Air Force men/women
from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New York.
About a week later, your Pennsylvania National Guard
came in and took over. They have been
here ever since. I can not say enough about this group
of troops. They are very professional,
efficient, kind and courteous. The list of their good
qualities is endless. One day it crossed my
mind that I should do something for them. I remembered
how the USO fed our boys coffee and doughnuts during
WWII. I went by our doughnut place and bought doughnuts
for your men.
When I arrived at the distribution spot, the men had
just arrived from their camp in Hammond.
(about 1 1/2 hours from town).
The young men especially were stretching wiping sleep
from their eyes. The commander pulled
them into a circle to give them their day's instruction.
At that point, I limped up to them, ( I have
5 types of arthritis). I said, "Excuse me, " I picked up
some hot doughnuts for you. Thank you for
all that you are doing for us." Immediately, smiles
appeared on their tired faces. I turned and
limped away quickly so that the men would not see the
tears of gratitude in my eyes. After that,
I made it a daily practice to bring hot doughnuts to the
troops. I even continued after day 19
when they finally restored power to our house. The men
were always happy to see those donuts.
I think they started calling me the doughnut lady.
Your men are fine young men - all of them from the
youngest to the oldest. Sometimes they look lonely, and
I wanted to give them all a big hug. I am a hugger - I
love to hug!!! But they were in
uniform and I didn't want to embarrass any of them. One
had just broken up with his girlfriend,
I really felt for him. Another told me he had to lose a
semester of college to come down here to
help us, YET he wasn't bitter about it. Bless his
heart! They touched my heart and they touched
my life. I will never forget them. I will always be
grateful to them, that our paths crossed.
To your families, thank you for sharing your
sons/daughters/husbands/wives with us.
They were a bright star in a dark night.
Sincerely,
Margaret
P.S. You sure do grow a handsome crop of men in
Pennsylvania.
|
