[suntzu1963]

Originally posted by PRODIGAL_SON1
GREETINGS BROTHERS,

I am a current member of the Epsilon Psi Chapter of Iota located in Hattiesburg, Ms. We were hit hard but nowhere near the damage of the coast or New Orleans. I had a family of 15 (all from new orleans) living with me until road conditions were safe enough to travel. Between sitting in four hour lines for gas, scouring the city for ice, clean water, and a hot meal and keeping my family's hope alive, I have come from this experience a changed man. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone and this storm is a vivid, unwanted reminder of this. My relatives have since all relocated to Texas, Baton Rouge, and Tennessee with nothing more than the clothes on their backs and the supplies they brought for all of their homes were either destroyed or looted. One of our brothers, Brother Bradley Lewis is from Gulfport and his family has relocated to Georgia. However, he is still attending school here at usm and continues to be a very valuable asset to the organization. I can honestly say I never imagined witnessing a disaster of this magnitude in my lifetime, however, we must all learn from it and do our parts as not only Iotas, but as Americans to help those in need.

Fraternally,

Bro. Merwin Brown
fall '03

God bless you, the bros. at USM, and your families. My prayers and thoughts are with you all.