THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS RETURNING TO LIFE FROM THAT DISASTER…
(…a work in progress even after a decade of effort…while a sense of loss still lingers on)

It’s been ten years since hurricane Katrina ripped the heart out of New Orleans, but not its soul. Somehow that intangible essence of one of our historic cities survived. And for that we should all be grateful.

It is fitting and just to remember both the devastation and the loss of lives, the ten long years of misery endured, while the City of New Orleans began returning to life from that disaster. It’s still a work in progress even after a decade of effort…while a sense of loss still lingers on… but there’s “progress” never the less. Homes and neighborhoods are slowly being restored, as are churches and schools, stores and businesses, hospitals, levees, and its old familiar style of bon vivant eateries, frenetic bars and clubs, where their Creole, Bayou Cajun, and French Quarter flavors have returned to them, and of course, that unique sound of sounds…New Orleans jazz.

That’s all to the good and we hope it keeps on keeping on for all those who are proud to say… “we’re from Noo Arlins!”

But for all of that we should not forget that Katrina also did much damage well beyond New Orleans and other parts of the Gulf Coast. It was so massive its winds and rains swept clear across to our Mid Atlantic states as well. And some of that collateral damage from it hit us hard as well, with a personal loss that still lingers with us today.

So, for all those lost from Katrina’s blast may they ever remain a glory to our remembrance.

CENTURION