• If you log in, the ads disappear in the forum and gallery. If you need help logging in or getting registered, send request to: webmaster@southernairboat.com

Take a breather from tragedy to offer thanks

Southern Airboat Gallery Archives

Adam's boat
Vinyl Graphics
9-30-11
Nice spot!!
SW Fl AirBoat & Buggy Show
24ft Hunting Boat
rick

rick

Administrator
Tammy L. Carter
Take a breather from tragedy to offer thanks
Published November 17, 2005

When you think of Hurricane Katrina, it's difficult to think about anything but what has been lost:
  • 1,306 lives, and counting
  • 1.1 million people displaced
  • 100,000 jobs
  • Tens of thousands of flooded homes, at least 2,000 tagged for demolition
  • At least $9 billion in damage
And this is just the beginning....

....I also am thankful for the kindness of strangers. Where the local, state and federal governments proved to be inadequate, volunteers filled the gap. Groups such as the Florida Airboat Citizen Emergency Response Team rushed to....

edit:
Here's the rest: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/feat...nov17,0,4541924.column?coll=orl-lifestyle-col
 
Tammy L. Carter":2ke7pdy5 said:
Finally, I'm thankful this natural disaster has taught me to stop sweating the small stuff.

A lady with 25 items in her cart is in the 15-items-or-less line. So what? Read a magazine and wait.

Someone is sitting in your favorite spot at church. So what? Just find another seat.

The concessions cashier at the movie theater is a tad slow. So what? Just pick another line or wait patiently until it's your turn.

Those inconveniences don't matter much when you put them in perspective. In New Orleans for instance, residents would wait in line all day if they could find a store, church or theater open in their community.
Instead of making this Thanksgiving all about food, please join me in focusing on thankfulness, and not taking so much for granted.
Click to expand...

That's been my outlook for some time now. My first step was when I used to get all twisted up over dumb stuff like whether the toilet paper rolled off the top or back. The day I got over being anal about that (no pun intended) my life changed for the better.

An airboat goes astray and smacks into the back of my parked boat, smashing a rudder? So what. It really did not bother me. :)

Now, if we can just get some of those waterfront property owners to subscribe to this point of view. ;)

matt.
 
Theres alot of truth and well made points in your post. During the aftermath of the hurricane Katrina in the news broadcast I seen the street ( Barone street ) in New Orleans that I lived on went I was born and the hospital ( Chairity ) where I was born and the shape it was in afterwards. It was a sad situation to see for sure. I hope and pray those folks get their life back together sooner than later. Its a great state and the folks there deserve alittle bit better than what they got in their times of need. Thanx for bringing this to light. Sincerely , Cajun
 
The article written by Tammy Carter was a very good one! Let's write her and tell her so! When someone gives airboaters a fair shake, we need to let them know they are appreciated. My letter below:

tcarter@orlandosentinel.com

Dear Ms. Carter:

You did a wonderful job with this article. So many times we dwell on what is wrong with life, that we overlook what is RIGHT! There were so many volunteers who willingly gave of their time and resources to respond to the blow dealt by "Katrina." It is refreshing to be reminded of how fortunate those victims were that their fellowman responded to help. We never seem to remember to "count our blessings" even in light of the pain we must sometimes endure.

In particular, I appreciate your mention of the airboating community. During the "Katrina" event, I was one of several volunteers in the Florida airboating community who attempted to relay current information on the rescue effort in New Orleans and Mississippi. I can't even begin to tell you how many hours I spent on the phone and computer answering questions from airboaters that wanted to volunteer their time and resources to go to assist in the rescue mission. Additionally, (because the news media, gave me as one of the contacts) I received calls from people all over the country that had family members in the affected areas that wanted information on their loved ones. The airboating community is a service oriented group, most of what we do goes unnoticed. Thank you for recognizing us.

I have added you to my list of media contacts, I hope that is okay. You will be informed of press on current airboat community events. Please contact me if I can be of any assistance to you.

Sincerely,

Lauren Brown, RN
Lake County Airboat Club
Florida Airboat Association Public Information Officer
 
Rick, you are right about her applauding airboaters efforts more than once. I talked to Capt. Phil today and he told me that she has family in New Orleans. I think her family might appreciate more than ever the beautiful sounds airboats create!

I certainly hope many of us will write and tell her that we appreciate the recognition she has given.
 
We ought to give her a one-on-one invite for her to join us on the Dec. 3rd Ride. I wish I had some extra seats. :( I say invite her husband & kids (if any) too. They can make a family day of it.

Lauren - That is a very nice letter.... and I know you did a LOT of behind the scenes work - especially the first few days after Katrina. Not sure if you got a public THANKS for that.

We're glad you are on our side!

matt.
 
Mood thats a great idea , We need to invite poeple like that on some of our runs ! Just to let them know that we are the real deal ! :?:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top