Katrina - Hundreds Of Displaced Veterans Head To D.C.

Since 09-01-05

From: Waspscpo@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 5:43 AM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Hundreds Of Displaced Veterans Head To D.C.

http://www.nbc4.com/news/4918715/detail.html?rss=dc&psp=news

Hundreds Of Displaced Veterans Head To D.C.

Mississippi Veteran Retirement Home Flattened By Katrina

August 31, 2005
NBC4.com

WASHINGTON -- Military veterans who were forced to evacuate the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, Miss., will arrive in the District by the end of the week, officials said. The elderly veterans left Gulfport by bus Tuesday after much of their federal retirement home was flattened by Katrina. The Armed Forces Retirement Home on North Capitol Street is preparing to take in as many as 416 residents from its sister home in Gulfport. Armed with mops and manpower volunteers are working around the clock to transform the vacant hospital into a temporary dorm.

Officials said Hurricane Katrina left their beachfront retirement home uninhabitable. According to The Washington Post, 10 chartered buses carrying most of the newcomers were scheduled to leave Gulfport Tuesday night. They're schedule to spend at least one night in the Atlanta area and could arrive in Washington late Wednesday or sometime Thursday.

Most of the Gulfport home's residents will be housed in the Washington home's six-story Pipes building, which was closed in June for renovation. Others will live in the home's assisted living facility and health center. Officials said the damage in Gulfport is so extensive that they may not be able to return home for a year.
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Contributed,
YNCS Don Harribine, USN(ret)