[rikytik]

Here's what my long time buddy tells me afer arriving yesterday. My buddy was my boss while I was in the US Air Force. He was also best man at my wedding.

Hi, Well I've been out foraging all day.. Started the morning by taking the generator back to Home Depot then I got in a short gas line and topped off the truck.. I then headed for the Credit Union and wow the line was out the door and half way down the side of the building so I left.. Went to the post office was told maybe next week mail service will resume.. Seems the sorting center in Gulfport was severely damaged and mail was being held someplace ! I then went to the base and it's closed due to no facilities being open, and don't know when they will open..

Anyway, yes I'll be staying permanently.. The military is handing out water, ice, and MRE's at many locations throughout the area plus Wal-Mart has a pretty good supply of food again.. But I don't think things will recover very fast.. Everywhere I went there was total devastation and nothing like Andrew in south FL or Ivan last year.. Buildings are totally washed from there foundations and the pictures you are seeing on the Internet are very real..

Oh, I did buy a 20 gauge shotgun before I came back!