Sept. 2, 2005

"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and
whoever wants to be first must be slave to all." St. Mark, the
Christian apostle

With so much information technology in the USA, one would think in
the disaster situation Louisiana is in that more information would
indeed be available, accurately communicated and verified. Such is
not the case.

I for one am sad and mad as I watch the Louisiana and her citizens
recover from hurricane Katrina. As I work at the shelters near LSU,
it's sad seeing the zombie looks in the faces of folks who have lost
everything. But what angers me is watching and trying to work with
paid administrators on a state and federal level who don't seem to
really have a plan that's practical and ready to use. These so-called
emergency experts paid with our U.S. and state tax dollars have
simply -- in my judgment -- failed us. A plan was not ready and we
are paying a huge price as a nation and as a state. What have these
emergency bureaucrats been doing year in and year out to prepare for
what we all knew one day would happen? Where have the homeland
security plans been as a major breach in our U.S. border opened and
opened wide?

I am delighted to report, though, that great numbers of fit and
energetic multisporters are plugged in and creatively focused and
engaged to help in the hurricane recovery. I would urge you to
consider helping at a shelter, a hospital, or wherever doing
whatever. The challenge is to rearrange a workout schedule to help
folks who are really in need. Riding, running, swimming, paddling, is
all about life and living it to the fullest. To those who are able,
it's time to help others experience the abundance of the life you
have.

So as you consider your workout plans, factor in some time that you
can help somewhere, somehow. People forced from home by the storm and
many still without power are depending on those of us who can help --
who will help.Call the Red Cross, call the Salvation Army, call St.
Vincent de Paul, call your local diocese or churches and there will
be plenty for you to do.

For those of you displaced, we welcome you to towns like Alexandria,
Baton Rouge, Houma, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, Shreveport, or
wherever. We know many of you will truly be starting all over, maybe
never to return to greater New Orleans as a resident. We pray that
your transition will be manageable and that you will seek us out as
we seek to include you in our communities. Many of us are new to the
welcome protocol in our communities, but be assured those of us in
the multisport circle are ready to help many folks make an incredible
transition.

Jeff Diamond announced the Bayou Off-Road Duathlon set for the Baton
Rouge area in mid-September has been cancelled.

CajunMan Triathlon Cancelled
From Rusty Bex of Lafayette
The CajunMan Triathlon has been cancelled. We regret that we have to
do this -- but due to the nature of the circumstances that have
occurred and affected south. Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama --
this is the only right thing to do. The CajunMan will donate all food
supplies, water, Gatorade, shirts, etc. to assist and help those that
are in need. Also, monies that have not been spent will be given to
the Red Cross (or the like) in the form of a check. In fact, I have
already dropped off hundreds of shirts, 25 - 30 cases of water and
Gatorade, toilet paper, anti-bacterial soap and even deodorant
(Degree was a sponsor) today at the CajunDome in Lafayette. I still
have more shirts and other items to give -- but my car was full to
the top.

If held, the CajunMan would be a strain on the police force, Acadian
Ambulance, the hotels (which are completely sold out), traffic, and
the Lafayette Regional Airport (which is where the race is held).
When discussing this with these governmental agencies they were
thankful of my decision. Water, food and the like which was to be
provided at the CajunMan is no longer available as these items are
scarce or no longer available in Lafayette. In addition, many of our
volunteers, sponsors and our race committee members are busy helping
out with the relief efforts. Manpower would be scarce at the
CajunMan. And besides, there are bigger things in life than
triathlons -- such as life itself.

This is an unbelievable tragic and horrific occurence -- and the
ripple effect has already been felt here in Lafayette and many other
surrounding areas.

I wish all of you well.

Adventure Racer Survives Storm
(Editor's Note: this is one of countless stories about escaping the
tragedy that struck New Orleans with hurricane Katrina.)
From Laurence Cohen
Dear Multisporter,
I have a most unusual report. I decided to stick out the storm and,
after I sent my wife and children off to Houston, I hunkered down in
East Lakeshore near Canal Boulevard and Robert E. Lee. I made it
through the hurricane , although my home lost a large part of its
roofing material.

The problems started when water came rushing into my neighborhood
from the south -- not from the lake's direction. About 3 p.m. I
kayaked down my block out to Robert E. Lee and saw 6 -8 feet of water
in the road. It only got worse. By 5 pm, my house started taking on
water and I abandoned ship ith my pets. We sought refuge, along with
three others who were a few doors down, at a huge house under
construction. That house was across the park from my now sunken
abode.

On Tuesday, I awoke to water higher than the previous days. I still
thought it might go down. Jeff Wilson and I started paddling Canal
Boulevard to find an escape route. As we glided down Canal Blvd,
through the tops of 15 - 20 foot oaks and sycamores, we heard cries
for help.

I will not bore you with details. We wound up rescuing 11 people and
a Weimeraner dog. We never saw an official from any government
agency. Weonly saw folks like me amd you in flat boats trying to help
others.

It was an amazing experience. I credit Jeff and my having done so
many Adventure races that We were able to help so many people. So
many elements of AR transfer to rescue ops.

After I viewed the levee breach with my own eyes that Tuesday
afternoon, I knew it was time to get out of Dodge. Jeff and his
friends went to Metairie. I wound up kayaking from the Lakefront to
Howard Avenue downtown, without seeing one public official the whole
length of Canal. Why was there looting ? No police or any other
government officials.

I hitchhiked with my dog, to Baton Rouge. I am now in Austin. All I
have left in this world are my health, famiy and a few pieces of
cloth. if you asked would I stay again, the answer is an emphatic
yes. Jeff and I made a difference in the lives of almost a dozen
people. What prepared me for that day was all the same training all
of you do. I just happened to be in a position to use it.

My sympathies to anyone who lost a loved one. Also, good luck to all
who have losses. Let others help you in this time of need. Its not
charity, though. Its payback for all the hard work and good deeds we
do.

++++++++++

That's it from here. Bless God America.

Kenny Dunaway
225.296.7490
2325 Weymouth Drive
Suite D
Baton Rouge, LA 70809-1481
USA
Isaiah 40:31; John 3:16