Pancakes For Breakfastby LT Fry on September 18, 2005 at 12:41 PMDelta Company, 2nd Platoon, 2nd Squad, of the 1-162 Infantry Battalion find a man trapped in his home and help him to safety. On September 14th, the men of Delta Company were doing follow up primary searches in sector; knocking on each door and calling out, waiting for a response. Today, SFC Getz, SSG Baker, SGT Baughman and SPC Mannen would see direct results for their efforts. At one home, SPC Mannen of 2nd platoon, 2nd squad heard a faint voice reply to his call "I'm here". He called out again to hear the same reply, clearer this time "I'm here". He asked the occupant to come out and talk with them, however the man said he couldn't, that he was trapped in the home and couldn't get out.The story is common, but unique at the same time, and goes something like this. The man, in his mid to late 50's had fallen asleep during the hurricane, and woke up to the sight of water coming in through his front door. Looking outside the windows he saw his car already submerged and realized that getting out now would be too dangerous to attempt. He had no idea that the levy had broken, only that water was rising fast and he had to do something. He literally cut a hole in his ceiling to access the attic, moving water, raw carrots and green beans into the space for sustenance. During the flood, the refrigerator and freezer in the kitchen floated for a time, settling in front of the back door and effectively blocking it. With the muck and silt flowing through the waters, it took very little time before the deadbolt on the front door rusted solid, closing of the only other exit to the house, as all windows have firmly fastened bars for security. Fast forward nearly three weeks of eating nothing but the raw carrots and green beans, and limiting himself to only 10 sips of water a day, the man heard gangs roaming the streets and feared the events going on outside. It was only when he heard "Oregon National Guard..." that he felt safe enough to call out for help. With the man's permission, SSG Baker popped open the door with a sledge hammer and the man came out of the attic for the first time in nearly three weeks. At first the gentleman wanted to remain in his residence, but upon hearing of the food and medical care available to him upon evacuating he replied "can I pack a couple of bags?" He packed some clothes and picked up a couple of checks he still had and, after being checked out by the medics, was transported to the evacuation center downtown, grateful for the assistance and care of the Oregon National Guard soldiers who came to his rescue. One thing he did note however, was that he had treated himself to making some pancakes that morning for breakfast. Wildcats do it again! | LT FryTop Stories
By Andy Sullivan
NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - Fast-rising water brought by the outer edge of Hurricane Rita spilled over a freshly patched levee in New Orleans on Friday and flooded a deserted neighborhood of the already devastated city.
Pack it up, move it out...Go, Go, Go!
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