Fly Away
The New York Times did a front page piece on some of the victims of hurricane Katrina that may interest you.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/18/national/nationalspecial/18victims.html
I have been trying to get this post up for a few days now regarding the shrine which now marks the spot where Vera Smith was buried in a makeshift grave by her neighbors. Original photo: http://www.poormojo.org/pmjadaily/archives/004451.html
The text underneath her photo reads as follows:
Vera Briones Smith
(1939-2005)
Vera was apparently the victim of a hit-and-run driver the day after hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans.
Authorities left her body by the side of the street for five days and threatened to arrest anyone who attempted to
touch her remains and bury her with dignity. Her friends and neighbors finally buried her in this lot on the fifth day.
A few days later the coroners office removed her remains.
We consecrate this place in memory of all those whom government officials subjected to indignities in life and death during the storm.
Related posts:
Thank you Laureen.
Laurie
I am glad that you posted this. I also recently went back to the archives of “this american life” and heard the two radio shows they put together a couple of weeks after the storm. I think they are really worth listening to.
I am glad you made this post. I remember reading about Vera’s death and the neighbors who made her grave. It is very touching to realize that people can be compassionate in times of trouble. I’m glad to see that her death is remembered. I did not know this woman, and will probably never visit her gravesite, but it is comforting to know that there are people in this world who care.