Yesterday I assisted in unloading Louisiana evacuees from approximately 10 aircraft (military and civilian) at Lackland AFB over a period of 7 hours. These folks were airlifted out of the New Orleans airport, where they had been stranded since Katrina hit--about 5 days.

My peers from the Fire Academy as well as our 37 Fire Cadets in training were involved in this great humanitarian effort--we all volunteered.

Officials on the ground told us that San Antonio took in about 10,000 of the 20,000 victims that were at the N.O. airport.

I have to say that I have never witnessed anything like this in my 30 years as a firefighter. That little box (TV) we all have in our living rooms and dens does not do this disaster any justice.

I was deeply moved by the people getting off of the planes.  Their mere belongings in plastic trash bags--if that.  Others with just the clothes on their backs.  For some, the clothes they had was simply a pair of shorts--I'm saying no t-shirt, no shoes, just a bad sunburn from waiting to be airlifted out of New Orleans!  It was necessary for us to put many of the people who needed medical assistance on stretchers and carry them off of the planes.  Thank God for young Fire Cadets who were all too willing to help.

Children with duct tape on their feet in place of shoes.  A nine year old girl on her own because she was separated from her mother in the mad rush for the planes in New Orleans. A 72 year old paraplegic who spent 5 days on the roof of his home without food or water. And many other stories like these and worse. Many would look away in silence when any kind of assistance was offered.  It was a look of devastation and of trying to remain strong, so as not to break down in front of the whole world.  It was obvious to me that all that these folks had to hold on to at this difficult time was their lives and their dignity. 

Every now and then I got a "God bless you sir" or a simple thank you.  That was more than enough for me.  But they really didn't have to thank me.  It was a privilege to help.  I know that they were and are grateful for the help and the generosity many are offering.  I know that the dazed looks come from not knowing what's next. 

Most of these people are the ones who had nothing to begin with, and now they have less.  How can that be possible?  In the seven years that I worked as a paramedic, I learned to hide my emotions, sometimes to the point of appearing to be callous toward others--even my own family members.  However, I must admit that I got choked up several times last Friday September 2, 2005.  I could not believe that I, we, us were in America.  It felt like I was in a third world country every time I set foot on a plane. That is simply unacceptable in 2005!

If there is anything you can do--even a 5 dollar donation to a credible charity, i.e. Red Cross, your church, etc. or some volunteer work, I urge you to do it.  And, please pray for these victims.  They, like all of us, are God's children.

 

John De La Garza

San Antonio Fire Department

 

Thank you, John, for your beautiful and inspiring words and actions. And, thank you, San Antonio, for welcoming these fellow Americans to our "Blessed Texas".

 

                                  

Sonny Melendrez