I live very close to New Orleans, Thanks for all of your help. I just went into the heart of the devastation a few weeks ago and nothing...it is so peaceful and quiet. Granted, there was no one there hardly...but we went into the lower 9th ward. It was sad to see so much left to be done. A great deal of people did not think it would be bad when they left, and that is why they left pets with food. It was a mandatory evactuation at the last minute. Most hotels and other shelters did not allow pets. And while you may have eaten better there...Remember you are in the military, the numbers of civilians were outrageous. They had to keep you fed, you were there to help them. Many of these people lived in poverty therefore they did not even know what hit them, if you know what I mean. Lots of them didn't have television or for that matter any way to get out of the city...but like I said thanks for all of your help