Military Presence

It’s amazing how quickly you become used to the military and police presence around here. I remember when I first arrived at the airport and I saw a National Guardsmen with a big gun that was practically longer than I am tall. I was so shocked. Less than a week later and it doesn’t faze me a bit to see them on the corner or walk past them as I go into a store, or as they drive past our house. I’ll wave at them and sometimes they’ll wave back or smile or even talk to us. The other day on Bourbon Street we noticed a few Guardsmen were carrying to-go cups with them as they were on patrol. I have also grown accustom to all the Cop cars. The first night we were back, it was a little distracting to have the flashing blue lights go past our window every 20 minutes or whatever, but after that it didn’t bother me. It is so strange to live in a city where every third house or business is boarded up, closed, or abandoned. Some were boarded up for Gustav and are or will be open. Some were lost to Katrina and have been abandoned for other places; while a few others will be lucky enough to come home. So few people have returned it is always important to wave at the police or the Guardsmen so that they know we are here.