Monday, November 07, 2005

Katrina Survivor


John Marshall, 56, Pearlington, Mississippi. Husband of Orealia, he rode out the storm where he worked, at NASA's Stennis Space Center, which Pearlington is nestled next to. Many people fear that NASA may now buy out Pearlington to increase it's buffer zone around Stennis.

I think more people hope for it than fear it.

6 comments:

Nobody Special said...

I hope he doesn't live near here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9729642/

Seems they EPA hasn't even taken stock of the situation. They shoul dhave kept peopl eout even if local officials were letting them back in. It's just too soon in some places to go back to try an salvage their belongings.

Who wants to take a chance of getting cancer or giving birth to kids with missing fingers and toes. Toxic or not, people need the information FIRST before they can take those risks with these toxic environments.

Anonymous said...

With mutual friends, I've seen and admired your work before. When I was directed to your blog by Brian, I was in awe from the beginning. Since then, I've sent it to friends, coworkers, family, everyone who means anything to me. Your stories are heartbreaking and your strength is inspiring.
I'm sure you've seen this....but here it is for those who missed it.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/11/07/katrina.forgotten.ap/index.html

Nobody Special said...

[PEARLINGTON, Mississippi (AP) -- Rows of new, bright blue water pumps sit at Charles B. Murphy Elementary School, ready for delivery.

Across the parking lot, the Salvation Army hands out hot food. Signs taped to the school gym doors announce its reopening as the "Super-Duper Pearl-Mart." Inside is everything a well-outfitted Hurricane Katrina survivor needs, from blankets to board games.

Help is here. Finally.]

See, you done good!! People have responded and I hope they are now getting the things they need! It's nice to see recognition, even if they don't give any names, we know you (Clayton) had a lot to do with helping get the word out for Pearlington!

Don't stop!

clayton cubitt said...

Jen- Thank you for keeping the word out. This is a huge thing, and it's not going to be OK in a couple of months, as much as I wish it were. Please remind people that the Gulf will need care and help for a long time to come.

Crackhead- The environmental impact of this is going to be enormous. When my mom returned to her Eden, the black sludge coating everything had an irridescent film over it, glowing like a petrol spill.

And thank you, but I refuse to take credit for any of the aid that's reached Pearlington. So many people have done so much more than me, I just wanted to help my family, and show the proud faces and places that made me who I am, even though I've travelled so far away. It's y'all that have done the most.

And I can't keep the last part of that article out of my head:

"Lee, 50, who received a FEMA trailer after about a month, looked around at his demolished neighborhood and shook his head.

"I can't see where it's gotten a whole lot better," he said."

Steve said...

"Stennis Space Center, which Pearlington is nestled next to"

Ok, now I know for a fact that I've been thru Pearlington, quite a few times actually. Geez, talk about a noisy next door neighbor!

Anonymous said...

These pictures are beautiful. I'm so homesick for Bay St.Louis. I'm starving for blue crab, gumbo, catfish, shrimp, and coleslaw from Popeyes.
My unborn child will not get to see the beautiful things I grew up seeing. These things are all gone. From the big n.o. to little ol' gulf coast. And there are so many people who don't want to go back. Nobody in my new town understands.
Thanks again for your beautiful pictures.

The Beach Bar is gone,
The hurricane took it away,
And now I live in the suburbs.
Sha-la-la-la-la-la