[StBernard] Naval Academy midshipmen to aid in Katrina relief efforts

[Westley Annis]

Naval Academy midshipmen to aid in Katrina relief efforts


by Judy Campbell
Naval Academy Public Affairs 


More than 25 members of the Naval Academy's Midshipman Action Group, a
community service organization, will spend their intersessional in
Louisiana's St. Bernard Parish and the Upper and Lower 9th Ward of New
Orleans, assisting in relief and reconstruction efforts in the wake of
Hurricane Katrina. 

After the midshipmen have finished their final exams and completed their
last military obligation, they have a break, called an intersessional,
before they report back to the academy for various duties including summer
training cruises, Summer Seminar, and recognition and commissioning weeks. 

Led by Midn. 2/Class Marjorie Drake and Midn. 3/C Matthew Agnew, the
midshipmen will leave the academy Saturday through Tuesday and return to the
academy, May 14. 

While in Louisiana, the midshipmen will don Tyveck suits to demolish homes
and businesses in the 9th Ward and work in a relief kitchen in St. Bernard
Parish, helping to feed residents, fellow volunteers and relief workers. The
midshipmen are paying for their own flights. 

This marks Drake's second trip to aid in Katrina efforts; she spent her
spring break volunteering in St. Bernard Parish, the 9th Ward and East New
Orleans. 

"From both the looks of the things and the way all of the residents talked,
Katrina might as well have happened one week before I arrived in March,"
Drake said. 

"I expected a much larger relief effort, and I think I am not alone in this
misconception. So few people are aware of the actual conditions and how much
must be done. 

"I think spreading awareness is just as important as the actual work we will
put in this May." 

During spring break, almost 50 midshipmen helped with the hurricane recovery
effort. Some went on an official movement order. Others went on their own
time. Among the groups that helped were the Campus Crusade for Christ and
the Officer Christian Fellowship.