This is a story about a Vietnam veteran, name Joe Black.

As a result of his time in 'Nam, Joe is a triple amputee, having lost his right arm entirely, his right leg to the knee, and his left arm to the elbow. Several people tried to reach Joe before Katrina hit, but for various reasons each failed.

Now, since Joe had neither radio, TV, or phone he did not know the storm was coming. He lived in a basement apartment, below his brother's repair shop. He awoke the morning the storm hit to the sound of the building being torn apart.

Gathering his few portable belongings he first tried the special lift his brother had installed for him. Of course, it failed to work. Next, Joe started painfully up the stairwell using his good arm and prosthetics devices. He was met by piles of rubble. Joe began carefully removing pieces of debris as well as he could. Very necessary, since the water was rising. Finally he managed a hole large enough to crawl through. He left most of his things, Extra clothing etc. with his wheelchair.

After a while, it became clear the the first floor was also a trap, and the water was still rising. Dragging himself painfully across the floor avoiding piles of debris from above, Joe eventually reached the staircase that used to lead to the upstairs storage area, and began the process of getting out of the flood. He finally was stopped at what had been the landing to the top floor. Here he remained for almost 9 days, without food or water.

We eventually found him only because we had the specific address. His body temperature had dropped too low to be picked up by our heat sensor, and we missed him with the ultrasound, perhaps because of the thickness of debris over him. It was the ULF sensor which found signs of life, faint signs. But we knew we had found him. Now came the even more difficult task of removing all the rubble and getting him out. One of the EMT's was first to reach him, digging through the rubble, but his tunnel collapsed, trapping them both.

His presence saved Joe's life. They finally succeeded in digging both men out a full day later. Joe is still in the hospital, but, he is expected to survive and his brother has vowed that whether Joe likes it or not he will be living with the family.

This information comes to me second-hand from our group leader, as part of his way to show appreciation for our help. He is a native of New Orleans himself.