Hurricane Katrina brings good karma

Courtesy Photo | A staff sergeant with the Oregon National Guard carries a large load as he settles into his new home in the French Quarter in New Orleans. Over 1,000 Soldiers from the Oregon National Guard have deployed to Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. hkat  

NEW ORLEANS, LA, UNITED STATES

09.15.2005

Courtesy Story

153rd Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. Sherree Casper
153rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

NEW ORLEANS -- It was a payback of sorts when Soldiers from the Oregon National Guard were mobilized to New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Good karma if you will.

"We also had a big disaster," said 2nd Lt. Chris A. Bird from Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry.

The platoon leader was referring to the wild fires that ravished parts of Oregon in August 2002.

"When that happened, Louisiana sent their National Guard troops to fight the fires in Oregon," said Bird, who works as a senior advisor for a car dealership.

"I've got fellow Americans that are hurting," added the 26-year-old from Klamath Falls, Ore.

Staff Sgt. Donald E. Fichtner, who entered the military during the Vietnam-era, said helping out the citizens of Louisiana is only fitting in their time of need.

"They were there for us," said the 57-year-old from Medford, Ore., who also serves in Delta Co., 1st Bn., 186th Infantry.

An accountant and real estate broker in the civilian world, Fichtner said he does a lot of non-profit work back home helping homeless veterans.

In the aftermath of the recent natural disaster, the 15-year military veteran said helping the displaced citizens of New Orleans is "an extension" of his volunteer efforts back home.

Spc. Jed L. Hardwick said he wished troops from the country's National Guard had been sent in sooner after Hurricane Katrina struck.

"The longer we wait, the more people suffer," said the 21-year-old mill worker from Springfield, Ore.

Hardwick, along with his fellow infantry unit, have been dispatched to the French Quarter of New Orleans.

"I just want to help people," he said. "Make sure they have food, water and shelter."

The Oregon National Guard apparently didn't have a problem finding volunteers to help out Task Force Belle Chasse.

"A number of people here need help and I was available," said Sgt. 1st Class Michael W. Genske from Phoenix, Ore.

A volunteer fireman at home, the 43-year-old has spent 20 years in the military.

"It's too bad it takes a tragedy like this to pull people together," Genske said.

hkat

• Date Taken: 09.15.2005
• Date Posted: 09.15.2005 13:10
• Story ID: 3018
• Location: NEW ORLEANS, LA, US