Charest Family on the Web Posts

Published September 17, 2006 by

The Year of Hurricane Katrina

My Personal Narrative of Recovering From Katrina

NOAA Image of Hurricane Katrina

My story is dedicated to the tens of thousands of people who were impacted so much worse, and lost so much more, than Winnie and I.

In this narrative I have attempted to describe the personal impact hurricane Katrina had on me and my immediate friends and family. I start with the weeks leading up to the storm, describe the day it hit, and then the long year after attempting to rebuild my home and my life.

Some photos are included in this story, for more please go to our Katrina Photo Gallery. This hurricane was a major Life-Altering Event for everyone who experienced it. This article and the small collection of photos are published in the hopes that people not directly involved will appreciate the significance of this event.

Continue…The Year of Hurricane Katrina

Ron Charest

gautier hurricane Katrina mississippi mississippi gulf coast recovery survival

Published September 14, 2006 by

Moving On…A New Job

Cartoon Image of a Resume
Resume

After several weeks of phone calls, e-mails, and a one-day commute to Washington, D.C., it’s finally come together. I’ve received and accepted a position with a new company located in Arlington, Virginia. My start date is no later than October 31, so we have to move fast!

Continue…Moving On…A New Job

Family Stories

Family Hurricane Katrina moving virginia

Published September 11, 2006 by

To Washington and Back in a Daze

Family Stories

job interview Traveling Washington DC

Published September 5, 2006 by

Driving Back From New Orleans

NOAA Satellite Image of Hurricane Katrina making landfall on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
NOAA Image of Hurricane Katrina

I brought Aunt Rita back to the New Orleans train station yesterday for her trip back home. We arrived about 9:30, plenty early for an 11:55 departure. We said our goodbyes, then I left for home.

I had the day off but Winnie had to work, so I didn’t have any big plans for the day. I decided to take the long slow way back, picking up highway 90 (Chef Menteur Highway) just outside the French Quarter so I could see more of the city and coastal Mississippi. I’ve taken this drive in the past, but not since Katrina swept through.

Continue…Driving Back From New Orleans

Family Stories Hurricane Katrina Diaries

fish camp Hurricane Katrina Louisiania mississippi New Orleans

Aunt Rita Visits Mississippi
Published August 29, 2006 by

Aunt Rita Visits Mississippi

Aunt Rita came in this past Friday for a week-long visit to Mississippi. She’s actually continuing a long tradition of coming in for a Labor day visit, and completing a visit she planned for this time last year.

Continue…Aunt Rita Visits Mississippi

Family Stories

Aunt Rita Family Visit

Published August 29, 2006 by

One Year After Katrina

NOAA Satellite Image of Hurricane Katrina making landfall on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
NOAA Image of Hurricane Katrina

Today is the one year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. On this one-year anniversary, everyone here is nervously watching another potential hurricane move north hoping it hits someplace where FEMA parks don’t exist.

Continue…One Year After Katrina

Hurricane Katrina Diaries

gautier hurricane Katrina mississippi mississippi gulf coast recovery survival

Published August 16, 2006 by

On Visiting The Doctor

Doctor Making Office Appointments
Doctor Making Office Visits

I’ve gained a personal perspective on the vast difference between Government-Run health care and Free-Market Driven heath care over these past several months.

Continue…On Visiting The Doctor

Opinions & Commentary

doctors medical care Politics triCare

Published August 13, 2006 by

The Vending Business

Well, it was the end of another era for us. Yesterday, I sold my vending business, started just 17 months ago. But what a ride it was!

Continue…The Vending Business

Family Stories

antares Family home business Katrina vending machines

Published February 19, 2006 by

Katrina Aftermath – PTSD and Welfare Queens

NOAA Satellite Image of Hurricane Katrina making landfall on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
NOAA Image of Hurricane Katrina

I’ve been trying to put into diary the gauntlet of emotions I’ve experienced these past months in dealing with the aftermath of Katrina. Over the past few days, reading about people being evicted from FEMA hotel housing, and reading DKossian comments along the themes of “Katrina Welfare Queens,” I decided I needed to write this all out.

Continue…Katrina Aftermath – PTSD and Welfare Queens

Hurricane Katrina Diaries

gautier hurricane Katrina mississippi mississippi gulf coast recovery survival

Published February 16, 2006 by

Katrina Aftermath – The Mississippi Numbers

Hurricane Katrina Diaries

gautier hurricane Katrina mississippi mississippi gulf coast recovery survival