Heroes in the Face of Horror
New Orleans Police officer "Rick" always had a smile on his face in the morning at our local coffee shop on Magazine St. You would often see he and his partner chatting up regulars as they dipped in and out for their daily fix of caffeine. Sometimes Officer "Rick" was alone and I got to know the man behind the badge. Soon we were on a first name basis. It's in times like this that we take for granted the simple day to day.
Yesterday, before bedtime, I was clicking on the numerous stories associated with Hurricane Katrina. I was paging down a story about the many dead, I bowed my head and sighed as I read that Officer "Rick" had taken his life on Saturday, turning his gun on himself. Suddenly I could see his face saying: "Good morning Matt" with that warm smile. I was disturbed to learn that others in the ranks of the N.O.P.D. and New Orleans Fire and Rescue had simply walked off the job after four to five days with no rest trying to keep order in the face of chaos. Will we ever know the horror these men and women faced in the seemingly endless wait for assistance.
As flood waters rose in Downtown New Orleans giving way to panic and disorder, those in uniform suddenly found themselves in a situation never faced by law enforcement during modern times. The city of New Orleans was quickly desending into darkness and despair. Nightfall brought the unthinkable and unimaginable as the city plunged into pitch darkness. Soon those in uniform began to submit to the hopelessness surrounding them as the citizens they took an oath to "serve and protect" lay dying in the shelters, homes and streets of New Orleans. Heroes soon began to feel helpless with no relief in sight.
Federal officials insist that if citizens would have completely evacuated the city as ordered, many would have been spared the misery brought by flooding. In a perfect world, maybe. but for thousands it was not possible. We have to start dealing with the reality which I have stated over and over. Those left behind did not have the money or means to leave the city. Another huge blunder by our federal government was the placement of FEMA under the direction of Homeland Security which was completely unprepared to deal with this disaster. I know the focus on terrorism is vital to our country, but at what cost?
I think about Officer "Rick" who was alive on Friday and speaking to the media. I went to bed praying for he and others and wondering what kind of unspeakable, ghoulish horror takes down a hero. I also prayed for those heroes left behind that continue the grim and endless task of rescue and recovery in the wake of their fallen fellow officers.
-Matt
Yesterday, before bedtime, I was clicking on the numerous stories associated with Hurricane Katrina. I was paging down a story about the many dead, I bowed my head and sighed as I read that Officer "Rick" had taken his life on Saturday, turning his gun on himself. Suddenly I could see his face saying: "Good morning Matt" with that warm smile. I was disturbed to learn that others in the ranks of the N.O.P.D. and New Orleans Fire and Rescue had simply walked off the job after four to five days with no rest trying to keep order in the face of chaos. Will we ever know the horror these men and women faced in the seemingly endless wait for assistance.
As flood waters rose in Downtown New Orleans giving way to panic and disorder, those in uniform suddenly found themselves in a situation never faced by law enforcement during modern times. The city of New Orleans was quickly desending into darkness and despair. Nightfall brought the unthinkable and unimaginable as the city plunged into pitch darkness. Soon those in uniform began to submit to the hopelessness surrounding them as the citizens they took an oath to "serve and protect" lay dying in the shelters, homes and streets of New Orleans. Heroes soon began to feel helpless with no relief in sight.
Federal officials insist that if citizens would have completely evacuated the city as ordered, many would have been spared the misery brought by flooding. In a perfect world, maybe. but for thousands it was not possible. We have to start dealing with the reality which I have stated over and over. Those left behind did not have the money or means to leave the city. Another huge blunder by our federal government was the placement of FEMA under the direction of Homeland Security which was completely unprepared to deal with this disaster. I know the focus on terrorism is vital to our country, but at what cost?
I think about Officer "Rick" who was alive on Friday and speaking to the media. I went to bed praying for he and others and wondering what kind of unspeakable, ghoulish horror takes down a hero. I also prayed for those heroes left behind that continue the grim and endless task of rescue and recovery in the wake of their fallen fellow officers.
-Matt
posted by Matthew Cortez at 9/05/2005 08:52:00 AM
<< Home