Warbird Information Exchange

Just recieved this e-mail from Jeff Hunt via Rob Singer:

Everyone,

It is best to be very suspicious of any and all internet rumors going around
about the situation in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast. First reports
are always wrong and generally worse than reality. See below.

Jeff Hunt
Curator
Admiral Nimitz Museum

"Hello all,

My wife, Debra is a Sergeant with the New Orleans Police Department
and has been in the thick of things since Katrina struck. She had
to pursuade me to leave the city before the disaster. I did not
want to go, I guess having recently retired from NOPD was pushing me
to stay. I am now glad that I did leave, but saddened that she is
still there, working for nothing at this point. But to the point.
She has been past the D-Day Museum several times in the last few
days. She tells me that even the large windows of the Louisiana
Pavilion are intact. She has been told by other officers that the
Museum proper was unmolested. Most of the looting was in the
Central Business District and in some the mostly uneffected
residential areas. She did say that the storage area for the Musem
Shop located across the street in the area that will be part of the
expansion was damaged in the storm and had been entered. Deb will
soon be rotated out of the area for a 5 day R&R, then back in. None
of the NOPD have been innoculated for any waterborne diseases and
some are becoming ill. Most of this from working 20 hour days with
little food and water. She had been patrolling with National Guard
members until today. This morning she had 10 NYPD officers assigned
to her and continues to perform her duties as the true professional
that she is. I do worry about her physical and mental state as she
sounds more and more hollow each time I speak to her. Please keep
her and all of the men and women still in New Orleans, and the other
effected areas as well as our troops overseas."

Thanks,

Elmon Randolph
Living History Director
National D-Day Museum

Glad to hear the D-Day Museum didn't suffer any major damage.

As a former police officer I cant even imagine the stresses being experienced by the members of the New Orleans Police Department. Its amazing that all of them have not gone awol considering what they have faced in the past week! My hat goes off to each and everyone of them. Keep up the good work down there.

_________________
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Pat, I'm amazed that any of them have any ammo left !

Hi Tim,
Just had a correspondent's e-mail who offered a free meal for Elmon and wife at any Baton Rouge restaurant they wish. Pass this up the line!
Cheers,
David

Tim,
Just got another e-mail...he is seriously wanting to thank Elmon and his bride for their efforts. Please send this up the line...and tell the head of the Nimitz Museum to give my fond affections to Helen McDonald on the Nimitz Staff.
Aloha,
David Aiken

Hi David, I just spoke with Jeff Hunt and passed along your message. I am trying to contact Elmon personally but still no luck. I will PM you when I get some info. While I have your attention I would like to thank you for your hard work on the Pearl Harbor documentation.

Tim Landers

Hi Tim,
Awaiting PM...PearlHarborHistory (at) Hotmail (dot) com
Thanx for the kind kudo on Pearl Harbor...it takes a village to help with that topic....and I know several villagers!
Cheers,
David