Hello!

I spent 10 days away from home as part of a search & rescue team working in southern Mississippi.

We were based out of a camp that had plenty of food and water but no showers.

Because of the risk of being mistaken for a looter and getting blown away - we worked only to about 6PM.

After the first day's tasking, I returned to the airfield (full of 1000s of military troops, police, aircrews and contractors) and changed into one of the several kilts I brought along.

Much to my surprise (7 of the team's 31 members) there were other kilted people on the team (it was a combined team from across PA). With the spares that some of had we were able to get 8 people into kilts. This calmed the guys that were pissed that they had forgotten to bring their kilts.

I would never have guessed that we had that many kilt owners or wearers. Some of the folks were people I have worked with for years (but never on missions with off duty time).

Many of the troops had to walk past our camp to get to the chow area. The looks on their faces were priceless when they saw multiple guys wandering around kilted.

Not a story directly related to being *IN* Katrina but sort of related!

Sincerely,
OE