Photo By Sgt. Michael Owens | A Louisiana Army National Guard Soldier talks with residents in eastern New Orleans...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Michael L. Owens, Louisiana National Guard
NEW ORLEANS - As Joint Task Force Gator continues to help with security in New Orleans, many of the city's residents are becoming comfortable with the attention the Soldiers and Airmen of the Louisiana National Guard have been giving them.
For more than two years, the task force has assisted New Orleans Police Department and other law enforcement agencies by patrolling the streets and helping keep the city safe. At first, many residents were nervous about the idea of having the military securing their city, but soon after seeing the Guardsmen working in their neighborhoods, they began to embrace the new guys in town.
"When you hear that the military is coming to your city, you tend to imagine mean Soldiers with big guns and that was the perception that I had," said New Orleans Lakeview resident Beatrice C. Marconi. "As they began working and I saw that my previous views were not a reality, it became a joy seeing them in my neighborhood."
As the city began evacuation operations for Hurricane Gustav, many citizens remembered how their homes were looted when they left during Hurricane Katrina just three years ago. At that time, some residents returned home to see that all of their possessions were stolen. After having the Guardsmen in the neighborhoods, residents were at ease about leaving their belongings in the hands of the National Guard.
Eastern New Orleans resident Kerry P. Wagener was one of the many people that put their trust in the Soldiers.
"Ever since they began patrolling, their presence has made me and my neighbors feel really comfortable about living in our (Hurricane) Katrina-ravaged neighborhood," Wagener said. "When I evacuated for Katrina in 2005, I left with the notion that my home would be robbed by looters. When l left for Gustav, I felt safe knowing that the Soldiers would be there to protect our little subdivision."
Brig. Gen. John B. Soileau, commander of the task force, attributes its success to motivation.
"Since most of the Soldiers and Airmen live either in New Orleans or surrounding areas, they feel a sense of pride knowing that they are protecting something dear to their hearts," Soileau explained. "When you have a group of people with that much pride, it tends to show in their job performance."
After two years of working in the streets of New Orleans, the Soldiers have formed strong bonds with the city's residents. Many residents think of the National Guard as a really close friend.
"They are always walking around and talking with everyone," said 72-year-old resident Gertrude Leblanc. "Like all of my good friends, I seriously hope that they never leave."
| Date Taken: | 11.20.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.20.2008 22:49 |
| Story ID: | 26610 |
| Location: | NEW ORLEANS, LA, US |
| Web Views: | 282 |
| Downloads: | 215 |
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