NOVEMBER 2005 - Members Jolted From Retirement By Mother Nature - One of the many strengths of our Association is the sense of comradery that our members share. Whether it be rally together to support various legislation or carrying for members who have fallen on hard times, our members are known for coming together.

Some Unreachable

As we did last year in Florida, the Association has reached out to those members who had been living in the direct path of Hurricane Katrina. The letter, which was mailed within days of the devastation, seeks to offer support, as well as learn the fate of our members.

Due to the disruption of basic services, it has been difficult for members in the effected areas to receive mail. We do hope that when the mail does catch up with members that they will respond.

We've heard from a number of members who live inland from the coast and were not directly impacted by Katrina. However, we've heard little from members living in New Orleans, Biloxi or Gulfport.

Everyone knows about the flood in New Orleans where we have four members. We have two members living in Biloxi and another in Gulfport, two cities that were more directly hammered by the Category 4 winds.

We did hear from one member who lives in New Orleans, Jim DePagter, a retired UMass Dartmouth professor.

Jim heeded the Hurricane Katrina warnings and left the city, along with his daughter Brigit Haylock and her children, two days prior to the flood.

"We went to Shreveport and hung around for three days. When it became apparent New Orleans would be off limits for a long time, we drove to St. Petersburg, Florida where my other daughter Kirstin Miller lives," DePagter related in a phone call to our office. "I think we'll be Kirstin's guests for quite a while."

"My home is near Tulane University and from what I've heard wasn't reached by the flood waters. Neither was my daughter's, who lives in the same area. It doesn't seem that the city is livable, however, at this time.

DePagter, 78, likes New Orleans despite the ever-present flood danger. "It's an interesting city, with an historic background. We sometimes call it 'Baghdad on the Mississippi', because of scavengers that are out and about on trash pickup day! But it's still my home," he said.

Another member, Ann Bachand, a retired Springfield Municipal Hospital nurse, phoned in from her home in the small town of Luling, Louisiana.

Luling is about 20 miles from New Orleans, She and her daughter, Donna, her son-in-law and a nephew were ordered to evacuate. They drove all day but couldn't find a motel that wasn't filled.

"We spent the first night on the floor of a Holiday Inn ballroom along with several other people. They gave us blankets. It was the best they could do," she said.

The next night they were in Grayson, Louisiana with no place to sleep. "Some people from the Grayson Baptist Church noticed our plight... It was like an act of God. The church had a large mobile home. They were looking for a new pastor and it was ours for as long as we wanted to stay. They brought us furnishings, including a large TV, and warm meals every day. Their kindness was unbelievable."

A week later, Ann and her family returned to their home in Luling. "It was fully intact without any major damage," she said. "The electricity and water were back on that same day we returned. We consider ourselves to be very lucky after seeing what our neighbors in New Orleans went through."

Welcome To Massachusetts

Back home, the big news was Governor Romney's opening of the Cape's Camp Edwards barracks and facilities to an expected 2,500 evacuees. However, after 200 bedraggled Louisianans arrived on two Boeing 737's on September 8 and 9 - that was it.

Residents of Massachusetts were volunteering by the thousands to assist the "visitors" who had no clue where they were going when they embarked.

Several of our members on the Cape contacted the Red Cross or other agencies only to be told that they would be called if needed. Like most other volunteers, they were not called.

Sue Walker, a retired Barnstable teacher, did spend a night with the evacuees. Walker works for the Community Action Committee of Cape Cod. She volunteered to stay overnight in barracks set aside for the families.

"It was the second night. Four of the barracks were designated for parents with children," she said. "A group of about 15 adults were sitting outside getting to know each other. It was between midnight and 3:00 A.M.

"These were people who stayed in their homes and were the last to be evacuated. They were taken directly to the airport and were not told where they were going until 20 minutes before landing.

"It was apparent that they were very thankful for the warmth and helpfulness they received since arriving at Camp Edwards. Many volunteers did not have the opportunity to meet the evacuees. Spending a night with them was indeed an enlightening experience."

Editor's Note: In the next edition of the Voice we will have more on Hurricane Katrina, plus news from our members who were in the path of Hurricane Rita.