Funny how some things in life change our perspective and view of the world. Going to Mississippi changed me. I didn’t expect this ….. I can’t even explain how or why I changed, but I did. Was it the splintered boards of the homes I saw; the personal remnants of homeowner’s lives driven by Katrina’s winds onto tree branches for all to see; or the look in the faces of those whose lives had been shattered into hopelessness. I am a changed man.

Life is a rollercoaster of learning experiences.  This was one of those in the clouds, top of the big hill experiences.

So what have I have learned.?  What can I share?

I now know that on August 29 ^th , 2005 a mighty wind blew through the south called Katrina ...... a hurricane of mighty and disasterous proportions.

I learned Katrina changed the lives of every person in its path and the lives of millions of others who experienced its destructive power indirectly.

I learned that our government was unprepared in a cold heartless way. Government employees who enjoyed the fruits of their weekly paychecks for years, gambled and lost with the lives and property of my distant neighbors.

I feel this is unforgivable.

I understand that Americans for no other reason except for their care and love of others, stepped forward at great sacrifice to themselves and gave whatever was needed to aid those in distress.

I learned that the destruction and loss of Katrina will take years to repair.

Perhaps the worst reality is that I know this will happen again.

And here is where we look in the mirror at our reflection and must ask ourselves.  Are we going to allow a repeat ....encore performace ..... of the Katrina disaster to occur again.  I know we can't stop hurricanes from passing through and wreaking havok on the Gulf and AtlanticCoast, but we can minimize the resulting damage, broken property and most importantly loss of life.

How?

We let those in political power know .... a simple e-mail will do ...that what happened is unacceptable.  We must make this an issue.  Why? .... It's morally wrong for this country to allow that to heppen to its citizens.  What does it say to others about us? If that isn't enough of a reason then.because even if is someone else who loses their house and life, the cost .... financially to this country, and therefore to our own finances, is to high.

We must expect and demand that part of the change will be for our government to give tax incentives and put dollars into research developing new methods of building and new materials that are hurricane resistant.  As a businessman I know that the manufacturers of roofing materials would object ..... after all a hurrucane means an increase in sales for them, but part of competition in a free market is the ever forward march of technology in all niches of our economy.  Making homes resistant to hurricanes is good for the economy...... good for jobs ..... good for this country and its citizens.

Finally, FEMA and other state agencies must "be prepared", and as uncomfortable as it may be, make residents in affected areas aware of the potential for disaster, then assist those citizens to adequately prepare.

My story doesn't end here. When I arrived back in Michigan I expected to tell a few people about my experiences. That was it; done; finished. Instead, I felt it important to let others know what it is like in Mississippi and what a difference it makes in one's personal life. This web page is a result of those feelings. Since I am a professional speaker I felt compelled to develop a PowerPoint program which I am now presenting for church groups and organizations in a limited voluntary capacity.

It is important that the reality of Katrina not be forgotten.