I got a call from Brandi

All, As most of you know Christopher and Brandi transferred from Atsugi Japan back to Gulf Port MS this past spring. They bought a house in Waveland. The move went very well. Christopher is in the Navy as a Sea Bea. The Sea Bea's, while stationed in Gulf Port are part of the "detachment" that deploys around the world for six month missions. About 10, or so days ago Christopher and his battalion shipped out to Misawa Japan. Brandi, Libby (10 years) and Tyler (2 years) endured Hurricane Katrina without him. Thank God they are fine. Please see the message below... This is Brandi's Mom relaying a message to Christopher. As you can see, the help of the Red Cross is essential for the people who are now without power, water, food and some without homes.
Love to all!
jo

To: young_kountry@yahoo.com
Subject: I got a call from Brandi
From: Debbie Mason
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 08:53:47 -0500


Chris I got to hear Brandi's voice, Libby's too. She said they are safe and they have shelter.

They are okay, they are really okay. Paula's house has a tree (or tree limb) in the roof. Brandi said you guys lost almost all of your trees in the yard. They looked out at one point and seen a neighbors roof blow off, all they could see was debris flying thru the air, the sound was horrid, she said she dropped to her knee's and prayed, (she was afraid). The water came up and up, it came up to six feet from the house but never into the house. A tree limb broke Paula's windshield, but her car and your truck do not have a scratch on them. The tree beside the barn came down within 2 inches of your truck but not a scratch. They drove out and met the Red Cross trucks and got more drinking water and ice and maybe she said MRE's. They have checked in with the neighbors that are still there. One woman has a generator, she told them to bring their milk and perishables to her house when the ice is gone. The Bonnells checked in with them and Mrs Bonnell said she has a semi load of generators coming in today and she put Brandi's name on one of them. They all were going to the neighbors swimming pool to take a quick bath (with their clothes on due to the debris in the pool) and wash their hair. When done they are going to carry buckets of water to the house to flush the toilets with. The Red Cross is coming back today with more water and food, medical supplies, chain saws and diapers. Oh yeah, LaBeau has got some guys to help with the tree clean up. I told them to watch for snakes, the rescue people are freaking out over all the snakes. Libby wants you to know that the most horrible part was that she got stung by a wasp. Bless her heart, she really is the sunshine in our world. I was afraid she would have nightmares over this. I told Brandi I will come down as soon as the roads open up and we can buy gas along the interstate again. She thinks there is nothing I can do, I am her Momma, I can bring peace of mind and security, I can also kill snakes.
Oh yeah she said when they got to the rail road tracks they stopped and all got out and stood on the tracks and starred...you can see the ocean from the railroad tracks, she said at least 3 mile of the coast is just gone, everything gone. She also wants you to know she loves you very much and she also wants to hear your voice but the relay system will do for now. They are alive and well and she will save some fix-it jobs for you when you come home. Isn't she funny.

I have to get to work now but I will stay in touch.
Love Ya
Deb