National Guardsman Hager stands in front of a flood-tossed boat at the entrance to the vast Kmart parking lot in Waveland, Mississippi, called Camp Katrina (at least that's what the homemade banner on one side read). This parking lot doubled as an aid distribution point for a church group to give out supplies and hot meals, and the useless waiting line for FEMA that I previously ranted about here.
The boat was at the exit to the parking lot, and Hager and a partner were stationed there to make sure nobody came in the wrong way. They seemed to be enjoying the sunset, and drop in temperature, because they work in those long-sleeve fatigues all day, and the heat is brutal. After I took his picture he said to me, "Want to see the real story?" and showed me what was written near the steering wheel:
"Sorry about your boat it saved 5 peoples lives."
9 comments:
Your site brings tears to my eyes man, I wish that everyone could see this, so they wouldnt forget, so they'd keep on working towards rebuilding, repairing,restoring. My family is from the Baton Rouge area, but weve got people up in Washington Parish and all the way over to Pascagoula who came back to nothing but a concrete slab. It hurts so much to see places you know destroyed, but it hurts even more when your boss looks at you and says: " The New Orleans thing is getting really old". The old punk rocker in me wanted to do the moonstomp on his skull, but I just shook my head and included him in my prayers.....But not the prayers I have for you and your family,friends and neighbors.
Your pictures are......soulful and heartbreaking, truly some of the most spiritual ones Ive seen so far. I hope you dont mind me passing along your site to others (Im guessing you wouldnt, considering it's public and all).
Your photos are wonderful, some of the best I've seen. Poetic, loving ... please keep up the good work.
I think that your site is breath-takingly powerful. You have managed to capture on film and through words the rare beauty that can appear when bitter tragedy occurs. I have found myself staring at your photographs feeling sadness for the loss and also pride for the amazing people you have encountered who have faced such severe devastion and managed to continue life.
May both you and your family be blessed.
Thank you for piercing my numbed soul. We have seen so much these past weeks on television, but your photos and words bring it to a reality that the media can't seem to convey. We seem to get on with our own lives and try not to think too much of the suffering, same happened with 9/11. This is so horrendous for humanity and nature. Somehow the donations I've sent don't seem enough as they can't reach inside the hearts to ease the pain you all are going through eveyday. I'll continue to send healing energy to the South and continue to read your words and be in awe at your photography. God bless you and your family.....Lyric
I havnt seen too much to make me feel any bit bad for the victims, like to be honest they had warning... but didnt get out. But the photo, the one of the boat with writing on it... really got me. Thank you.
its hard to leave when ya aint got nothing for transportation. boats water fishermen shrimpers its the way of life down south-----its the way to survive...its the way to my heart...and its so friggin weird to see boats on land...sittin there not belonging to the concrete. no place to go---homeless as well....
I love this picture for what it says.
yours is one of the more meaningfull blogs I've read cheers
The writing on that boat is the most moving thing I've seen in a long time. It really makes you step back and take a look at not only the incredible loss, but the incredible resilience.
That few words on that boat are moving!
This has been a horrible year, you think back about it and it seems just ideas over the air, but suddenly you learn it is real, you are in that world, you are steping the bomb exploding.
Courage from Spain.
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