Katrina anniversary

[Lindaloo]

Yes, economically it is. Historically, it isn't. Which is why they should celebrate their "rebirth" on August 30th. But, they are going to do what they want to do regardless of whether I like it or not.

Most of their employees lost everything and have moved or are working somewhere else. Most of the employees at the Beau will probably be new hires.

[Rocketman]

The 29th should mark the end of a year of misery, loss and sadness, and the beginning of forgetting and looking forward.

We will surely have our own individual interpretations.

[Jim Cantore]

The 29th should mark the end of a year of misery, loss and sadness, and the beginning of forgetting and looking forward.

We will surely have our own individual interpretations.

I'm afraid to say, Katrina will NEVER be forgotten

[Rocketman]

The 29th should mark the end of a year of misery, loss and sadness, and the beginning of forgetting and looking forward.

We will surely have our own individual interpretations.

I'm afraid to say, Katrina will NEVER be forgotten

Well, obviously we'll never forget. But to dwell on it and not move on is just plain unhealthy.

[george_r_1961]

I do not see anything wrong with having events to mark the anniversary of Katrina but I would stop short of calling it a celebration. Lets not forget those who lost their lives and others who lost all they worked for and are starting from scratch.

Linda and Ixolib I respectdully disagree. You both live in that area so maybe u know something I dont. But it seems like a casino reopening would be an economic shot in the arm and a significant milestone in the recovery process.

[Lindaloo]

Read my post above. I said economically, yes! Historically, no! I would not call it a significant milestone though for our recovery process. Greedy giants are never what we consider significant at least down this way anyway.

[george_r_1961]

Read my post above. I said economically, yes! Historically, no! I would not call it a significant milestone though for our recovery process. Greedy giants are never what we consider significant at least down this way anyway.

Ok linda i was still working on my last post when u made that post. Thats why I didnt see it.

[Lindaloo]

Ah okay. lol.

[MGC]

There should be a memorial on Aug 29 remembering those lost to Katrina. It will also mark an end to the one year mourning period. Come Aug 30th, we must look to the future, build a better Gulf Coast, but never forget the events of Aug 29, 2005.........MGC

[BC]

Yes, economically it is. Historically, it isn't. Which is why they should celebrate their "rebirth" on August 30th. But, they are going to do what they want to do regardless of whether I like it or not.

Most of their employees lost everything and have moved or are working somewhere else. Most of the employees at the Beau will probably be new hires.

This is a bit off-topic, but from what I've heard, they've had a very high rate of return employees.. A buddy of mine with lots of bartending experience (casino and otherwise) and connections at the Beau was trying to get a job there and b/c of the rate of return they were only able to offer him a graveyard service bar position.. Of course he said no to it..

I think people will remember/celebrate/honor the day how they feel they should.. I know for me personally, it'll be a very somber day.. A day I remember the feelings of helplessness and the loss of virtually everything I owned.. Some may see the Beau opening as a rebirth of a city.. I see it as simply a step towards normalcy and one of many on the long road of recovery..

[Lindaloo]

All of the casinos have service bar positions. So basically he turned down an all night position. The bartenders are not "Cocktail" type bars. Unless you go to one of their nightclubs. If your friend waited this late in the game to get on at the Beau it is not surprising.

[BC]

All of the casinos have service bar positions. So basically he turned down an all night position. The bartenders are not "Cocktail" type bars. Unless you go to one of their nightclubs. If your friend waited this late in the game to get on at the Beau it is not surprising.

Linda, I know what you're saying.. All of them have service bars, but those aren't the bars where the money's made.. Alot of times, service bars aren't the ones you would even go to to get a drink.. The type he was offered to work at is hidden such that only the cocktail servers go.. So he'd only be getting paid by a % of the cocktail's money.. But all of the casinos have at least one bar that's not in a nightclub, and I'm sure the re-designed Beau will have several.. He was at least hoping for that.. And he didn't wait much really.. When some of his current co-workers started hearing about coming back is when he put in for it..

Anyways, I was just relating what I had heard about their rate of return.. I can't remember if he said it was 70%+ or 90%+..

[BreinLa]

I am really glad to hear about the rate of return. Some of the people can go home now and get back to work. That is a good and positive thing. And Bre loves good and positive things lol

[Lindaloo]

Yep Bre. There will be plenty of work around here for a long, long time.

[Audrey2Katrina]

Okay, I guess perhaps I need to expand on some of the points I'd tried to make. I think essentially we're all pretty much on the same page--it's just that some of us are in one paragraph--while others are somewhere else. No two people are going to feel exactly the same on Aug. 29--ever again (speaking mostly of those directly impacted).. but to impose any mentality on an entire populace would be wrong, whether that be an attitude of what some may consider callous disregard--or what others may consider dwelling on the past. For whatever it's worth, these are my actual thoughts:

I don't know about all the other comparisons, but among mine were things like the Galveston Hurricane and the San Francisco Earthquake... two other major natural disasters, and how are they "celebrated"?

http://www.cnn.com/chat/transcripts/2000/9/8/zarella/index.html

Notice how one HUNDRED years after this calamity--it is marked with solemnity... with wreath laying and Mass, --reverence and respect. This is not "living in the past"... it's simply showing a great respect for those who lost everything, thousands their lives, in a horrible disaster--hardly something I would feel should be commemorated with "celebrations". Of course how an individual , or their family, wishes to remember the day, is strictly that individual's business and no one else's... but I think that a municipality "celebrating" the anniversary date of massive death and destruction is just plain warped.

There is also the centennial of the San Francisco Earthquake... another catastrophe of unbelievable proportions... and while there were elements of both solemnity, and celebration of rebirth extending the length of this entire year (2006).. the actual moment of remembrance of the event on the actual day (April 18) was one of extreme solemnity--not only in San Francisco with a moment of silence, and the wailing of sirens in the morning (the quake hit around 5:30 AM), but other communities had wreath layings, candlelight walks... speeches... and all this a full century after the event. Are these folks "living the past"... no, they're just showing a great respect for it--and for the suffering those events precipitated.

THAT is how a community should "remember" --no NOT dwell on, just "remember" what a particular day means to them. The comparison of Mardi Gras, IMO was just as misplaced as the 9/11 analogy--because Mardi Gras was not on Aug. 29. Of Course the city had to "go on". Life itself must go on; I'd be the last person to say we should all sit around and wallow in self-pity--there was way too much of that going on by many who would have been better served wringing their hand around a hammer and grabbing a can of paint, or what-have-you. Those times are behind us, and well should they be so. What events this city "celebrates" positively MUST continue, to show our resolve, and to show that Katrina has NOT beaten us. The idea that this day should be more one of reverence than celebration has nothing to do with "dwelling" on anything half so much as it does just common human respect for a day on which nearly 2,000 souls met an untimely end. I repeat, if anyone wants to go out and "celebrate" Aug. 29, by getting hammered, and/or setting off their own fireworks, or holding a party--well that means nothing to me, nor should it--beyond the fact that I might consider their level of empathy for the degree of suffering many endured to be wanting; but make no mistake about it--it would seem to me to be wholly inappropriate for the actual CITY, or the County, or whatever municipality so sorely affected, to commemorate the actual day of the tragedy, with a cavalier "let's party" attitude. Surely waiting ONE more day out of respect for the dead isn't asking too much? As far as the Beau is concerned, others have appropriately pointed out--for them it's a business venture, and that is up to them, and their patrons--as stated earlier, how each handles the way this calamity affected them, is a very personal and not-to-be-questioned right of that individual who deals with it in his or her own preferred manner of coping. On the other hand, in deference to those of us who feel a deep reflection on just how severely we were impacted (as I am one of those who DID lose both a family member, and a friend).. I should think an entire community would simply mark it with the reverence it deserves--a respectful commemoration--and leave the decision of how to "celebrate" it up to the individual.

JMHO

A2K

[MSRobi911]

I understand the Beau's idea of restarting on the day it was destroyed and some people need the release of going there. I am not one of them. I would rather have a memorial for the people that lost their lives and big thank yous to all the people that have come from all over the world to help us. It will never be just another day in my life nor of anyone that I know, but we are survivors and we will go forward. Thank goodness the unemployment payments have stopped and these lazy people can go to work and some of the stores and food service people can open at their normal hours. It's still strange for Jerry Lee's to be closed at 10:00 pm and Wal-mart too. After 10:00 pm you are hard pressed to find a thing open in Pascagoula/Moss Point.

So let the Beau do what they want, let the people celebrate and go get drunk and lose the money they probably don't have to lose................ I personally will probably have a very quite and sad day of remembrance of all the things I lost and the people that lost their loved ones.

Mary

[Ixolib]

Isn't it interesting how the Beau is not mentioned ANYWHERE in this Sun Herald article on events that will take place on August 29!! THIS is what that day should be about. On the 30th, a new beginning can commence, but the 29th should be reserved for solemn remembrance...

KATRINA ANNIVERSARY EVENTS - AUG. 29

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 2004 Pass Road, Biloxi, 6 a.m.-9 p.m., sanctuary open for Open House Day of Remembrance through Prayer.

First United Methodist Church, Gulfport, will have sanctuary of the church open all day for people to come for reflection and prayer.

City of Gulfport sunrise memorial service, 7 a.m., Jones Park, Gulfport. To honor the 14 Gulfport citizens who lost their lives. Students who attend will be excused for being late at Gulfport and Harrison County schools. Details: Kelly Jakubik, 328-3054, or Lisa Bradley, 547-6478.

Hancock County church services, 7-9 a.m., at churches throughout the county based on each church's time schedules.

Ecumenical Service on the Beach, 8 a.m., Coleman Avenue, Waveland. Details: Kathy Pinn, 332-2270.

"Biloxi & Katrina: One Year Later," 8 a.m., U.S. 90 at Lameuse Street. City-organized memorial observance. Seating and bleachers available on limited basis. The one-hour program will include local clergy, Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church Choir, the singing trio Ame, Mayor A.J. Holloway and others.

St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Long Beach, celebration of Masses as follows: Mass at St. Vincent Hall at 8:30 a.m., with children of St. Vincent de Paul School in attendance; 6 p.m. in the shell of the destroyed church at 720 E. Beach Blvd. Special prayers will be included to remember those who died as a result of the storm and in thanksgiving to the many donors and people who have helped in the recovery.

Holy Spirit Parish, Vancleave, around 8:30 a.m., after the 8 a.m. Mass, oak tree planting and prayer service.

St. Charles Borromeo, Picayune, after 8:10 a.m. Mass., oak tree planting in the field next to CCD Building and also placement of a plaque near the tree.

Our Lady of Fatima School, Biloxi, after 8:30 a.m. Mass, tree planting on the west playground.

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral, Biloxi, after 8:30 a.m. Mass, will plant a tree in front of the Sacred Heart Parish Center.

Hancock County remembrance, 9 a.m., moment of meditation or silent prayer to remember Katrina and lost loved ones; and 9:01 a.m., church bells and sirens ring throughout the county.

St. Peter's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, Gulfport, remembrance service, 9 a.m., with the Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi.

Nativity BVM School, Biloxi, 9 a.m., tree planting, in flower garden south of the school.

Sacred Heart Parish and Resurrection Elementary, Pascagoula, 9 a.m. service, with the PTO.

Gulfport park restoration, 9 a.m. start, 3 p.m. closing ceremonies, Owen T. Palmer Park on Second Street, Gulfport. Volunteers can help rebuild the park with new equipment. Hosted by KaBOOM! and Home Depot.

Biloxi park restoration, 9:30 a.m., new playground at John Henry Beck Park in east Biloxi. Volunteers can help rebuild the park. Sponsored by Home Depot, KaBOOM!, Playworld and Hands On.

Mercy Cross High School, Biloxi, around 9:30 a.m., after 8 a.m. Mass, in front of Sacred Heart Center, planting of an oak tree.

St. James School, Gulfport,9:30 a.m., tree planting in the courtyard.

St. John Elementary, Gulfport, 9:30 a.m., will have a prayer service near the Katrina Oak tree that was planted Aug. 27.

Sacred Heart School, Hattiesburg, 9:30 a.m. Mass, and place the Katrina oak in church. At the beginning of Mass, a representative from each class will place an "ornament" in remembrance of the loss of lives, churches, homes and other aspects of life that were directly affected by Hurricane Katrina. At the end of Mass, the oak tree will be planted close to the school and a reflection and prayer will be offered.

Walter Anderson Museum of Art, 9:30 p.m., Ocean Springs. The museum will offer free admission throughout the day, and access to the museum's two exhibits; "Recording the storm: The work of staff photographer at the Sun Herald," and "Shearwater Masterpiece: The Hogan collection."

"Katrina & Biloxi: A story of resolve and resilience," 10 a.m., 8 and 11 p.m., airing of city-commissioned documentary to 100,000 Cable One households in South Mississippi (Cable Channel 13). In addition, continuous screenings of the 50-minute documentary, along with national newscasts that aired in immediate wake of storm, will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Saenger Theatre, Biloxi.

Our Lady of Victories Parish and Resurrection Catholic High, Pascagoula, 10 a.m., oak tree planting in prayer garden near the cafeteria.

Mississippi Submarine Memorial service, 10 a.m., Ocean Springs. The placement of the final piece, the Tullibee Base "Eternal Patrol" stone, will complete the memorial as it was envisioned by its designer, Al Hammond of Gautier. Katrina destroyed the original monument. Details: USSVI Tullibee Base Commander, C.L. Harvey, 475-5428.

Heritage Funeral Home Memorial Service , 10 a.m., at the funeral home, Escatawpa. To honor those who lost their lives during Hurricane Katrina. Members of the public can send sentimental items to the funeral home. Recognition ceremony will follow the dedication service. Speakers will include Pascagoula Mayor Matthew Avara and Manly Barton, District 1 supervisor.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Blossman YMCA, 1810 Government St., Ocean Springs, is inviting the community to celebrate getting "Back on Our Feet Again." Events include a flip-flop decorating contest at 10 a.m. and a "Guess Whose Feet?" contest, in addition to a photo contest. Prizes will be awarded. Details: Member Services, 875-5050.

Our Lady of the Gulf Parish, Bay St. Louis, 10 a.m., Our Lady Academy, St. Stanislaus, Holy Trinity and OLG Parish prayer service in the OLA gym. Afterward, OLA, Holy Trinity and OLG will plant a tree on one side of the street and SSC will plant one on its side.

Seventh Street Park dedication, 10:30 a.m., Bay St. Louis. Recognition of North Carolina volunteers who have given so much during the rebuilding process. Details: Mike Cuevas, 463-7120.

Luncheon to recognize Hancock County officials, 11:30 a.m., Daniel's Restaurant, Bay St. Louis. Invitation only. Sponsored by Hancock Chamber and the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission. Details and tickets: Hancock Chamber, 467-9048.

The University of Southern Mississippi, 12:15 p.m., Hattiesburg, will hold a commemoration and dedication event at the front entrance of the Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building on the Hattiesburg campus. Southern Miss President Dr. Shelby Thames and Hattiesburg Mayor Dr. Johnny DuPree will speak.

Bayou View Elementary School, Gulfport, 1 p.m., ceremony and balloon release. Attached to the balloons will be poems about the storm and thanks to relief workers.

Pass Road Elementary, Gulfport, 1 p.m., Hurricane Katrina Remembrance and Dedication service, including reflection through music and inspirational words.

American Red Cross blood drive, 1-7 p.m., Edgewater Mall, U.S. 90, Biloxi. Coastwide blood drive in honor of Hurricane Katrina's victims. All citizens can give, but a special call is being issued for people with "O" blood type.

Hancock County Health Department dedication ceremony, 1:30 p.m., at Longfellow Drive Government Complex, Bay St. Louis. New facility dedication and reception in recognition of the combined efforts of state and local officials, donors and public health teams. Modular unit donated by GE Plastics. Details: 467-9048.

"Heroes Helping Heroes," 2 p.m., Saenger Theatre, downtown Biloxi. A ceremony to thank the many first responders working in our community in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Program will include remarks by Biloxi Fire Chief David Roberts, Biloxi Police Chief Bruce Dunagan and others, along with airing of Atlanta Fire Department's 15-minute documentary "Heroes Helping Heroes."

St. Alphonsus Parish and School, Ocean Springs, 2:45 p.m., tree planting.

Parade, 4 p.m., down Coleman Avenue, Waveland.

Katrina Memorial dedication, 5 p.m., Coleman Avenue, on the beach. Also, recognition of volunteers.

Celebrate Life in Waveland!, 5:30-7 p.m., tailgate party and live entertainment. Details: Kathy Pinn, 332-2270.

St. Michael, Our Mother of Sorrows, Bl. Francis X. Seelos and Vietnamese Martyrs parishes, Biloxi, beginning at 6 p.m., will process from Our Mother of Sorrows to Bl. Seelos, to Vietnamese Martyrs; there will be brief prayer at each site, ending up at St. Michael for prayer and a social.

City of Moss Point public program, 6 p.m., Pelican Landing Conference Center. City leaders will present a program related to the finalization of the downtown development plans and will honor "sister cities" who made donations. Before the program begins, three murals depicting Moss Point's land and waterscapes will be on display, and the Moss Point High School Jazz Band will perform.

City of Pascagoula memorial ceremony, 6 p.m., Beach Park, Pascagoula. A Katrina monument will be unveiled.

Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 6 p.m., Commemoration of Katrina service at the beach site, 610 Beach Blvd., Biloxi. Bishop Duncan Gray III will preach and celebrate. Details: 436-3123.

Memorial prayer service, 7 p.m., St. Rose de Lima Church, Bay St. Louis, with nationally acclaimed gospel choir.

Trinity United Methodist Church, 7 p.m., 51st Street and Lawson Avenue, Gulfport, will hold a "Reflection and Thanksgiving" service. Details: 863-2717.

Christ the King Mission, Latimer, around 7:30 p.m., after the 6:30 p.m. Mass, oak tree planting and prayer service.

Gautier Hurricane Katrina ceremony, 7:30-8:30 p.m., lawn in front of City Hall. The ceremony will include a candlelight vigil.

[Audrey2Katrina]

Roger that

A2K

[Pearl River]

A2K wrote

The comparison of Mardi Gras, IMO was just as misplaced as the 9/11 analogy--because Mardi Gras was not on Aug. 29.

I know Mardi Gras wasn't on Aug.29. I was making a statement that many across this country were saying. Should Mardi Gras have gone on so soon after Katrina? My answer to that was YES.

Of Course the city had to "go on". Life itself must go on

That is my answer too. Every Aug.29 we will always remember where we were and what we were doing. Just like Aug.17, 1969 and Sept.9, 1965, it will never be forgotton, but we did move on from those times and we will again.

[Audrey2Katrina]

I know Mardi Gras wasn't on Aug.29. I was making a statement that many across this country were saying. Should Mardi Gras have gone on so soon after Katrina? My answer to that was YES.

I fully understand that, and completely agree. In full context I was making a reference to the drawing in of Mardi-Gras as somehow or other applicable in discussing an Aug. 29 "celebration", while 9/11 was decidedly not. Now while I concede each his or her own opinion on drawing distinctions; my point was that it was considered all but a blasphemy for me to simply mention that we don't "celebrate" tragedies, and the mention of 9/11 seemed to strike a sore nerve. I'm sorry; but yes, while what happened on that day of "infamy" was a despicable act of aggression against our country--it was nonetheless a day to remember with a modicum of solemnity in deference to that tragedy. Massive death is massive death, whether it be by natural causes, or man-made circumstances, and THAT was my only point. I agree completely on the Mardi Gras issue--and was vilified by many on other blogs and sites for suggesting so--but that IS a celebration, it IS part of our city's great heritage, and NOT letting this storm keep us from having it was as essential to me as red beans and rice on Mondays! There was never a disagreement on that point.

On the point of Aug 29, I concur that it will be a day that will be commemorated for a VERY long time to come. Not just because of the horrid death toll--but for what it decidedly did to a major US city. Perhaps one day--when there are fewer who can recall the horrors of that night/morning, around, it will become as much a celebration as a memorial--but for the time being, at least it is MY reserved opinion that any "celebration" (and I realize there's a lot of semantics that can be done with that word in and of itself) should be relegated to an "after" time, perhaps for the 30th--the day AFTER the storm, and the day rebuilding, and rebirth truly had to begin. The 29th should remain a day of solemn memorial--just my opinion; but having lost family as well as property, it's one I hold very strongly. I fully respect the opinions of those who disagree, and hope they afford me the same privilege.

A2K