Answering Katrina's call

Photos by Don Frazier

Friday, September 16, 2005

Southeast Missourian reporter Scott Moyers and photographer Don Frazier were invited to accompany the National Guard's 1140th Engineer Battalion on their way to Louisiana and New Orleans for clean-up operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Sgt. Michael Durran, right, of Columbia, Mo., performed some last minute maintenance on his military vehicle as Spc. Donald Hoffman of Iberia, Mo. looked on as the 1140th Transportation Co. of the Army Natl. Guard prepared leave of duty in Louisianna, Thursday, September 8, 2005.
Spc. Mitchell Kester of Fruitland, Mo., discussed his why he felt the mission the National Guard's mission to Louisiana was important as fellow guardsmen Spc. Jeff Cook a native of Jackson, Mo., took a nap during the bus ride through Mississippi, Thursday, Septmeber 8, 2005.
Air Force JAG Lt. Col. Thomas Huber, left, used an M-16 rifle to explain on what use of force would be acceptable in different situations involving criminals during a briefing at Belle Chasse Naval Air Station near New Orleans, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2005. Huber cautioned that even though things had improved in the past 72 hrs. things were still dangerous.
Capt. Damon LaCour of Kansas City, Mo., started his day early Saturday, Sept. 10, 2005, with a shave using his vehicle's outside review mirror.

Soldiers with the 1140th Missouri Natl. Guard Unit moved into their new quarters in the Alario Sports Center, New Orleans, La., Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005, as they prepare to begin relief missions as soon as Monday.
Sgt. Steve DeClue of Jackson, and a member of the 1140th Engineering Co., Mo. Natl. Guard pours water for a very thirsty and hungry dog left behind during the Hurricane Katrina evacuation of New Orleans. Members of the 1140th surveyed the damage around Lake Ponchartrain, Monday, September 12, 2005 in preparations for Tuesday's, cleanup mission.
Spc. Joseph Dilley, left, of Cape Girardeau handed Hurrican Katrina survivor Eugene Thompson of New Orleans a box of MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat) and bottled water after Thompson and neighbor after the 1140th Engineer Battalion of the Missouri Natl. Guard happened upon the two Monday, Sept. 12, 2005 near Lake Ponchartrain.
Capt. Kevin Compass, Jackson, Mo., briefed his section sgts., Monday, September 12, 2005, on where cleanup would begin for the 1140th Engineering Battalion of the Mo. Natl. Guard in New Orleans, La.
Large boats could be seen propped on top of concrete barriers as the 1140th Bravo Company convoy made its way into New Orleans, Monday, Sept. 12, 2005.

Sgt. Kevin Pollock of Ironton, Mo., trimmed tree limbs from a neighborhood street in New Orleans as the 1140th Engineer Batallion of the Missouri Natl. Guard began their, Tuesday, Sept. , 13, 2005, disaster relief work in the hurricane stricken city.
Sgt. Brian Cartwright of Cape Girardeau rolled a manhole cover back approximatley 30 feet to its manhole during the 1140th Engineer Batallion of the Missouri Natl. Guard's relief efforts in New Orleans, La., Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2005.
Spcs. Sean Willimas, left, and Alva Roberts, right, of the 1140th Engineer Battalion cleaned leaves and debris away from storm sewer drains as the Missouri Natl. Guard Unit continued its relief efforts Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2005, in hurricane stricken New Orleans, La.
A bulldozer from the 1140th Engineer Battalion of the Missouri Natl. Guard was used to move fallen trees and debris from neighborhood streets, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2005, as cleanup continued in hurricane stricken New Orleans, La.