New Orleans
"Camp Skeeter"
Situation Report #5
Submitted by: Judy Pitchford

Sunday, Oct 30, 2005

I made it to church today!! Since Carol was leaving, we didn’t schedule any outreach cooking events for today through Wednesday. Held field day in both the RV and the center. Did a little shopping for some additional chairs, since our guest count has been higher than our chairs. Still having difficulty with getting internet on my computer. Thought it might just be the base, so while I was out shopping I went to circuit city and thought I might get a connection there – no luck.

71 center visitors

Monday, Oct 31, 2005

Visited with the computer guys first thing this morning, trying to get an internet connection. It turns out that the wireless router they installed in the rec center on Friday was installed into an outlet that doesn’t work unless the lights are on. The rec center doesn’t turn on those lights when a movie is playing – and a movie is constantly playing in that room. I had asked them if they could just put my computer on their server, when they went into my computer, they found quite a few problems. After 2.5 hours of “clean up” and downloading of anti-virus updates, they deleted the 147 virus files and I was able to get connected for a few minutes.

Opened the center early and found quite a few things not right. The XBox TV doesn’t work, somebody had gotten into one of the boxes of care packages and took three of them, they had gotten into some sunflower seeds and had left their cup full of shells sitting on a table – then the varmints had knocked them over all over the floor. I will address these concerns with MWR tomorrow since they are the only other key holders.

Halloween was fun at the center. Our volunteers Janet and Brenda dressed up and made the night quite festive.

77 center visitors

Tuesday, Nov 1, 2005

Spoke with MWR this morning about my concerns; they said they would address it with the maintenance personnel who have the keys. Asked the Command Master Chief if I could store my care packages in their facility. He said yes, now all I have to do is find a fork lift to get them moved.

Bought a new TV for the XBox.

Went by the convention center to meet the new command and “mayor”. They invited me to join the daily meeting tomorrow to address all the other command reps and explain just what the USO can do for them.

Picked up Carmen Wallace at the airport, surprisingly her plane was early. Gave her a quick run down on RV living, the dining facilities and the center.

We get along greatly, we both posses that type “A” personality. I had to laugh cuz one of the guests asked if we were sisters. Yes, there is a slight resemblance but the fact that she’s 5’9” with a great set of thin legs and Puerto Rican – we do both have short hair.

38 center visitors

Wednesday, Nov 2, 2005

Met up with MWR personnel and we took a “movie box” to the convention center for the meeting. The movie box consists of a 13’x17’ screen, a projector and 112 movies. The command was very excited to get it; however, they can’t put it up until Friday. Stopped by the old Idaho TF command post to meet the new Guam and Hawaii commands, but they weren’t there. I was told by the FEMA reps to come back in a couple of days.

When I was showing Carmen where we store the care packages and other things, I found another box of care packages had been opened and one was taken. Either the person has a conscious check or he forgot to take it with him when he left the center, because we found it in the center by the door. I will again take this up with MWR tomorrow.

Now, here’s the funny story for the day. Last week some soldier messed with the Direct TV box and messed up the TV. When I walked into the jam packed center and saw what he had done, I jumped into his stuff telling them all that I was the only one who touches the TV and not to mess with my stuff unless I mess it up and need y'all to fix it for me. We all laughed and I’m sure the soldier was just a tad bit embarrassed. Well, the guy has continued to come in each night. He’s quiet and has been working on a puzzle (hasn’t touched the TV or the box) so tonight I struck up a conversation with him and ask him what he did today. He says he just drove around the 9th ward and talked with the soldiers. I ask him why he did that and he says because he’s a chaplain. Okay, now I feel like a complete idiot cuz I chew out a Chaplain for messing up my TV (of course I tell him this is how I feel). Then I ask him what religion and he says “Catholic” – okay, now I really feel like an [idiot]! So, I say – gosh, I need to go to confession for chewing out a priest! And he says – okay, I’ll listen to your confession – we both laughed.

47 center visitors

Thursday, Nov 3, 2005

Provided outreach to 300 Louisiana and NORTH CAROLINA National Guard at the Convention center. Handed out USO care packages, additional hygiene items, snacks and recreational games.

Started Karaoke in the center tonight and had a hard time closing, nobody wanted to stop singing. My Chaplain friend sang every country song we had and many joined in. A few of the soldiers are going to bring back their guitars tomorrow. I figure we will start Karaoke every night after the movie and we are going to have a contest next Friday before Carman leaves.

A PlayStation 2 game was donated to the center along with a few games.

49 center visitors

Friday, Nov 4, 2005

Carmen got to experience her first Wal-Mart excursion. We replaced all the items that were disbursed yesterday at the Convention Center.

Took a trip down to Port Sulfur to meet the Guam National Guard commanders. We were greeted at the gate by a former 1/8 Marine that was very happy to see us. After some discussion about Camp Lejeune and questions about what kind of entertainment we were bringing, we were given directions through the mosquito infested camp to the CP. The FOB that was down at Venice has now relocated to Port Sulfur; they drive down to Venice now and return each night. They have requested an XBox, games and additional controllers, board games & peanuts. We will provide outreach to them Sunday morning at 0730.

44 Center visitors

Saturday, Nov 5, 2005

After shopping all morning to find additional Xboxes (for outreach sub-custody) we realized that every kid in town must have a new XBox, cuz we couldn’t find even one. The Colorado National Guard also called today to ask for some recreational outreach support (to include an XBox).

Provided outreach to Task Force Raven to support their Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament. Took a trip out to Notre Dame Seminary to meet the new command there. We will provide care packs and recreation games on Monday morning.

74 center visitors

Weekly Volunteer Hours: 0
Weekly Donation Total: $93.23

General Comments: We are seeing a steady decline in outer lying FOBs. They are not going to put troops back in the Belle Chasse camp; they will all operate out of Fort Sulfur. The Venice FOB is now a 12 hour command post with all troops being staged out of Fort Sulfur.

Went by the Loyola University campus and there are no troops located there any more, the school looks like it is getting back to normal; however, St. Charles street is still a mess.

We purchased space heaters for the center this week only to have the temperature climb back into the 80s all week. Murphy’s Law in practice.