Hurricane Katrina and I: A Testimony While Stationed in New Orleans

By Antonio Q. Arnold

I would like to share some of my experience while serving in New Orleans, Louisiana. This deployment was my first major deployment in which just about every Army National Guard and Air Guard in the union was involved. This joint task force also includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, and Reserve Forces. The U.S. Coast Guard was deeply involved the relief efforts as well. I was impressed to see the Army 82nd Airborne Division and the 1st Calvary Division playing a major role along with National Guard units.

This as if all America came to the aide of its own. I even witness law enforcement from all over the country convoying to the Gulf State to lend a helping hand. I would like to thank the church and the people of Mississippi for their warm and loving hospitality as we travel towards New Orleans.

This experience is an experience I will never forget. I was told by Iraqi Freedom veterans that New Orleans look and smells like Baghdad Iraq. I had never experience war upfront or combat but I was always in training for war and supported the war efforts.

I see this relief effort as preparation for what is to come in my life. I was told this is just the beginning. The Guard, Reserve and Active components will play a more active role in our homeland relief efforts.

I am forever changed I thought Hurricane Frances and Ivan was something. Hurricane Katrina affected everyone nationwide. I'm glad to play major part in the relief effort and be a blessing not just to the people of New Orleans and Louisiana but also to the people of Alabama and Mississippi.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 1, 2006
• ISBN: 9781467079662

Antonio Q. Arnold

   Hello, my name is Antonio Arnold;  I am a father of three and a grandfather of three as well.  I am a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.       I grew up in a black neighborhood on Halifax St. in the City of Petersburg, VA.  I have 2 sisters and one brother.  Since the death of my mother, my father raised the four of us by himself.  My mother died when I was four years age.  We grew up in an old house on 819 Halifax st. Petersburg.  Our father was strict and he taught us to be strong and the importance of an education.  He taught us to be independent and to be wised.  Each of us graduated from high school and was able to at least attend college.       My wife and I both attended and graduated from Virginia State University. I'm also a graduate from the Frederick L. Ray Biblical College where I earned both my Masters and Doctorial of Divinity.      I took that same push to help me in the Air National Guard.  I had completed a number of Air Force Courses from Utilities school to Advance Water Treatment School.          I had served in the Air Guard for three years.  While serving in the guard I was activated twice one for Hurricane Frances and Ivan in Florida 2004 and secondly for Hurricane Katrina in 2005. I had also served 9 years in the Army Reserve.      So much has taken place around the world my prayer is for all the people who lost everything.  I know God is with them.   I'm currently serving in the Army Reserve as an Civil Affairs NCO takeing my skills and experience to help others.    I’m looking forward towards a rewarding yet challenging opportunity.   Enough talk about my past.  I would like to share with you all my experience in New Orleans, Louisiana.          

Book preview

© 2006 Antonio Q. Arnold. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 11/22/2006

ISBN: 978-1-4259-6382-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4670-7966-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2006910081

Printed in the United States of America

Bloomington, Indiana

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Additional copies of this book are available by mail.

Contents

Dedication

Introduction from the Writer

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Hurricane Katrina and Me

Dedication

I would like to thank my wife Sheila for her years of unending support, love and encouragement while I was deployed to New Orleans.

I would also like to honor the men and women in uniform, specifically the 203 Red Horse squadron, the 219 Quarter Master Company from Puerto Rico Army National Guard and the 222 Quarter Master Company Virginia Army National Guard. I must not forget the men and women of the 192nd Security Police and the 229th MP Company Virginia Guard. I would like to recognize all the men and women who served in the relief mission in the Gulf States. I would like to thank FEMA and all other government agency for their hard work in the relief efforts in the Gulf States.

I would like to most importantly honor the people of New Orleans, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the panhandle of Florida whose lives are affected by Hurricane Katrina, most importantly those who lost their lives during and after the storm.

Most importantly I would like to honor my father and mother John and Blanche Arnold for their unending supports as I serve our God and Country. And in memory of my birth mother Gurline Byrd Arnold who has gave me so much love during my first four years of life on earth.

Introduction from the Writer

Hello, my name is Antonio Arnold.  I am a father of three and a grandfather of three as well. I am a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Soldier.

I grew up in a black neighborhood on Halifax St. in the City of Petersburg, VA. I have 2 sisters and one brother. Since the death of my mother, my father raised the four of us by himself. My mother died when I was four years age. We grew up in an old house on 819 Halifax St. Petersburg. My father was strict and he taught us to be strong and the importance of an education. He taught us to be independent and to be wised. Each of us graduated from high school and was able to at least to attend college.

My wife