said, “My faith and my family are the cornerstones of my being. Why does Jesus tell us that the wise man built his house on the rock? Because there will be storms! I don’t know of a single person in the world that hasn’t been through some type of storm, real or metaphorical. Storms we go through help us to grow closer to God and to develop empathy for others.”
In further reflection, Joe said, “All of my belongings and my family’s belongings after Katrina fit in a few trash bags… but I had my family. During the time when I couldn’t contact my wife and children after Katrina, I started to think how silly some of the disagreements I had with my wife had been. I gained a perspective from Katrina that I am most thankful. I’ve learned not to take for granted the time that we spend with friends and loved ones. I’ll always treasure the time I spent over the years with Ricky McCurley and all I learned from him.”
Except for the weeks after Katrina, Ricky never worked overtime at the fire station, which would have meant working 48 hours straight away from his family. When asked why he didn’t work overtime, Ricky replied, “Because some things are more important than money.” He chose to spend time instead with his wife Kyndel and Kai, his 3 year old son. He chose right!”
Many people had no insurance. Retired and elderly people found their ‘nest eggs’ eradicated. The death rate in New Orleans shot up dramatically after Katrina. Joe felt that many of the deaths could be attributed to the broken hearts of those people who did indeed lose everything.
As part of the relief efforts, FEMA contracted with Carnival Cruise Lines to supply 6 of the cruise ships for 6 months to serve as temporary housing in the aftermath of the Katrina. The “Holiday” was originally docked in Mobile, AL and later at Pascagoula, MS. The ‘Ecstasy’ and ‘Sensation’ were docked in New Orleans. The controversial six-month contract cost $236 million. In New Orleans, the police and their families typically occupied the ‘Ecstasy’, while the Fire Department occupied the ‘Sensation.’
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