Hats off to the Hawaii ANG for coming to the aid of their Samoan compatriots.
Flag of American Samoa.
Some of the scenes of devastation and carnage.
Map of Samoan tsunamis.
Posted on 10/03/2009 2:41:44 AM PDT by myknowledge
HONOLULU — On a search-and-rescue mission in a tsunami-stricken American Samoa village, Capt. Nate Duff and his Hawaii Air National Guard troops waded through knee-deep swampland and under trucks hanging from trees in hopes of finding missing children.
Duff's medical team was the first government relief agency to reach the fishing town of Leone following the tsunami, one of dozens of American rescue squads spread throughout the wrecked islands delivering personal help, food, tents and medical supplies.
"The air stunk with ... hundreds of dead fish and animals, and rotting food and debris," Duff wrote in an e-mail to his unit Thursday. "It was very treacherous ... climbing over sharp debris with rusty nails, sheet metal, glass and all manner of house debris."
They failed to find the two missing children — a 6-year-old boy and 11-year-old girl from a nearby village — but they were able to treat injured residents and organize search and extraction teams.
"Very beautiful spot with clear water and a beach surrounded by lush, verdant forest-covered mountains. It was absolutely devastated. Most of the village was in rubble," Duff wrote in the e-mail, which was given to The Associated Press by the National Guard. "It must have been a tremendous wall of water to create that much damage."
Similar teams have spread out across the country, from first responders to scientific investigators.
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
Hats off to the Hawaii ANG for coming to the aid of their Samoan compatriots.
Flag of American Samoa.
Some of the scenes of devastation and carnage.
Map of Samoan tsunamis.
Wow I didn’t realize how close the quake was to American Samoa.
“Earthquake machine” conspiracy buffs will have a field day.
Has Zero said anything about this disaster?
He’s ignored American Samoa and its inhabitants as if they were cockroaches. Even Dubya would not have done that, right?
“Boma will probably resettle Samoa with Gitmo prisoners.
Obama declared American Samoa a disaster area, opening the door for FEMA and other federal assistance, within hours of the tsunami. He has also sent three messages to the residents of the Territory.
Sorry, but facts really are troublesome things.
It's always educational to see Obama staffers posting here. Were you able to travel on Air Force 1 yet?
Thank you for the welcome, Publius. My dead, injured and homeless friends here in American Samoa, as well as my daughter’s dead classmate, appreciate your compassion.
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