What I Saw in the Floodwaters of Houston

[IsailedawayfromFR]

John Nolte's superb article in Breitbart, "Houston Proves Everything the MSM Says about Our 'Divided' Country Is a Lie" (September 4, 2017) prompted me to tell my own story.  My family and I spent many hours in early September helping out at the "Mega-Shelter" for flood victims in downtown Dallas.  What I experienced there was like nothing I have ever seen.

The Responders and the Services

The response of Texans, and Americans from all across the country, to the catastrophic Houston flooding proves the power and resilience of the human spirit.  The magnitude of the logistics, the care, and yes, the love, is beyond extraordinary.  I know.  I have seen it.

Dozens of organizations virtually built a small city almost overnight in a space the size of 10-12 football fields.  Evacuees from the floodwaters in Southeast Texas came in by the hundreds, then by the thousands.  Hundreds of volunteers rushed in from nearly every state.

The Red Cross set up 5,000 cots and provided people who had lost almost everything with blankets, toiletries, showers, laundry service, child care, relocation and job counseling, and many other services.  Salvation Army volunteers fed everyone, including volunteers, three meals a day.  Volunteers from churches brought in water, juice, snacks, clothing, pillows, and other essentials.  Children were provided school clothes, toys, books, puppet shows, and supervised play areas.  Chaplains were giving out Bibles and providing spiritual comfort.

http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2017/10/what_i_saw_in_the_floodwaters_of_houston.html

A friend of mine who was high and dry was so moved by watching his fellow Texans struggle that he talked another buddy of his to purchase a 15' jonboat so they could go out and help rescue people.

He told me it was incredible how many other volunteers were out helping others get our of harms way.

That's the way it's supposed to be.  People helping people.  Not sitting around waiting for some government entity to rescue.

[Bigun]

A friend of mine who was high and dry was so moved by watching his fellow Texans struggle that he talked another buddy of his to purchase a 15' jonboat so they could go out and help rescue people.

He told me it was incredible how many other volunteers were out helping others get our of harms way.

That's the way it's supposed to be.  People helping people.  Not sitting around waiting for some government entity to rescue.

And the absolute most important factor in all of it is that it was ALL done freely!  No one had to coerce them to do ANY of what they did they just did it because it was the RIGHT thing to do!  It's how they were raised!

[GrouchoTex]

And the absolute most important factor in all of it is that it was ALL done freely!  No one had to coerce them to do ANY of what they did they just did it because it was the RIGHT thing to do!  It's how they were raised!

My own story:

In Sugar Land, my wife and I went to a local shelter to drop off supplies, and they told us that our generous neighborhood gave them more than they needed.
They instructed us to go to another down the street.
There, we met a friend who had gone to a third shelter and was told the same thing.
I was nice to hear.

We were all fine, BTW, no damage.

[Sanguine]

Great story.  Thanks, @IsailedawayfromFR.

[XenaLee]

A friend of mine who was high and dry was so moved by watching his fellow Texans struggle that he talked another buddy of his to purchase a 15' jonboat so they could go out and help rescue people.

He told me it was incredible how many other volunteers were out helping others get our of harms way.

That's the way it's supposed to be.  People helping people.  Not sitting around waiting for some government entity to rescue.

Nolte better watch it.  Government does not approve.  He is now on report for spreading propaganda (no doubt).  The people simply can't do without BigGov.  Any lies to the contrary will be severely dealt with.... next time the rats get into power.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

And the absolute most important factor in all of it is that it was ALL done freely!  No one had to coerce them to do ANY of what they did they just did it because it was the RIGHT thing to do!  It's how they were raised!

I believe you are my generation, just retired, and agree with you.

I am please to relay that the friend I am talking about is one generation below us, in his young 40s, and has a heart of gold.

At least some of our generation raised some good ones to follow.

@Bigun

[Bigun]

I believe you are my generation, just retired, and agree with you.

I am please to relay that the friend I am talking about is one generation below us, in his young 40s, and has a heart of gold.

At least some of our generation raised some good ones to follow.

@Bigun

@IsailedawayfromFR

Good to know!   Thanks!

My wife and I raised three in the traditional Texas way!

[Sanguine]

@IsailedawayfromFR

Good to know!   Thanks!

My wife and I raised three in the traditional Texas way!

Me too.  My three are good, solid adults.  Thank God.

[Bigun]

Me too.  My three are good, solid adults.  Thank God.

   I think there are more of them than generally thought!

[dfwgator]

Compare and contrast with Puerto Rico.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

@IsailedawayfromFR

Good to know!   Thanks!

My wife and I raised three in the traditional Texas way!

Me too.  Only two, but one is a pastor and one is a conscientious social worker.  They definitely did not pursue their careers for the money, but to make a difference.

One of the best things I have ever done in my life is to see my kids be who they are now, although I cannot take the credit, as mom and God did a whole lot more than I did.