Читать книгу Katrina: A Freight Train Screamin’ - Cary Black - Страница 5

Dedication and Thanks

This book is dedicated to the memory of Capt. Richard McCurley. Capt. McCurley was a member of the New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD), Engine 4. Capt. McCurley was stationed at the Bell South Building in East New Orleans along with 32 of his fellow firefighters as Katrina struck. He survived Katrina and the difficult days and months that followed. On December 2^nd, 2005, while being dispatched on a call related to a gas leak, the engine apparatus McCurley was riding was involved in a collision. Capt. McCurley died at the scene. It was reported that his last act was to secure the radio and make the call for aid for his injured men. He is missed by all who knew him.

This book is also dedicated to the New Orleans Fire Department firefighters, the St. Bernard Parish firefighters, the many different fire departments from across the country, and the FEMA volunteer firefighters who arrived to help lift the Gulf Coast out of the clutches of chaos, desperation, and destruction.

The men and women of the New Orleans Fire Department were deployed at 18 “Last Resort” locations throughout the city. Before the winds of Katrina had stopped blowing, many of these firefighters were setting up search grids, rescuing people, and getting them to dry areas for later evacuation. They worked for days with no communication to loved ones, very little communication between the various units, improvising and saving people. They were doing their jobs with dread in their hearts knowing they had probably lost their own homes as well. It is estimated that in the first few days after the storm they had rescued up to 19,000 people.

Some of you offered your stories, some of you came to help; all of you gave of yourselves, and spent long periods of time away from loved ones and family, helping your fellow citizens in their time of need. This book would not have been possible without your input, guidance, suggestions and support.

Special thanks to Gretchen George, Chief Jim O’Neill, James Prince, Gerald Pool, Bill and Samantha Cummings, Joseph Yeomans, Kimberly Canarecci, Teresa Kolkmann, Sara Valor, Lisa Carey, Bonnie Kaye, Ron Charest, Jacquelyn Lusardi, Lily Duke, Jeremy Nichols, Lauralie Corrin, Kimberly Sonefeld, Capt. Paul Hellmers, Chief Gary Savelle, Chief Thomas Stone, Operator Alan Boisdore, Glenn Cantrell, Laura Miller, Al Janni, Keith Gere, Gerry Mercieca, Iray Nabatoff, Ray Peacock, Ziggie Zeitler, Capt. Joseph and Shana Fincher, Chief Tim McConnell, Chief Charles Parent, Gretchen Meyers, Kyndel McCurley, Steve Gonzalez, Robin Beaulieu, Jan Seif, Min, and Karen O’Toole, all of whom helped and provided the support needed to turn this project into a reality.

I must also thank my family for their patience in allowing me to pursue this crazy dream. The mornings and weekends spent writing; the trips to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast; the time spent composing, recording, producing and editing the soundtrack to the book’s DVD; and the extra time spent in producing and editing the DVD. It has been quite a ride. So to my family, I shout out a heartfelt, “Thank You!” for your support.

Thanks also must go out to my fellow band mates in the rock and roll group “No Regrets.” For a year and a half, we wrote, rehearsed, and recorded the music for the DVD soundtrack. These fine musicians shared my dream. You folks rock!

Thanks go out to all of the heroes of Katrina, whether mentioned within this book or not. You are numerous. Each of you contributed a portion of your humanity towards the aid and benefit of your fellow citizens in their time of need. You all are a reflection of everything excellent about America as a country. Thank you and God bless you all.

Cary