Helping hands

Southeast Missouri has seen its share of natural disasters in 2008: ice storms, extended power outages, flooding, wind storms -- and, yes, we had locusts this year too. Despite all this, dozens of Southeast Missourians have headed south to assist victims of the hurricanes.

When Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, victims found their way to shelters and the homes of friends and family in Southeast Missouri. Many skilled laborers -- carpenters, roofers, electricians, medical personnel -- headed south to help those in need. Some of those folks have stayed in the hurricane-affected areas, still working to restore order.

Now men and women from this area are in Texas and Louisiana providing what comfort and aid they can.

It would be easy to be overcome by the weight of these tragedies and the massive task of cleaning up and rebuilding. But dauntless rescue workers have little time to think about the impossible. They focus on what they can do today, right now, that will help someone somewhere return to something resembling a normal life.

Hats off to all those who pitch in when others are in need.