\r\n I am a former New Orleans resident and husband of a Louisiana Native. I have many family and friends in New Orleans. I had just returned from a trip in early August to attend the wedding of my brother-in-law. I love New Orleans and lived, worked and attended school there from 1975-1981. There is not a more vibrant, alive and unique city anywhere in the US. On the morning of Aug. 28th 2005, I went to work as a high school science teacher just beginning a New Year in Westminister CO. I spent the previous day talking to my son and his girl friend on their cell phone as they attempted to evacuate the city. It was a harrowing 400 mile drive to get 100 miles away to my wifes cousins house in Northern La. They tried to exit via Baton Rouge but gridlock traffic forced them to abandon that plan and head east into the eye of the storm across a section of I-10 that later collapsed. They then headed north through MS. then west to Larkes house and safety. I like many others were greeted by the headlines that stated \"New Orleans dodges a bullet\". I went to work with a sense of relief and sadness for the victims on the MS. coast. I came home that afternoon and turned on the TV for news of the aftermath. I was greeted with scenes of rising floodwaters, chaos and Levee breeches. My heart sank and I called my wife to see if she had heard the news. I felt a sense of discomfort as a watched the events of the following week unfold. I couldn\'t understand why others didn\'t share my deep sense of pain as the tragedy continued. I do whatever I can to increase the awareness of the magnitude of this disaster in the people I am around. I have been back to the city several times and will continue to return to bring the city that I love back to life. Long Live New Orleans! Renewal, Healing and God\'s Grace to you!!!