Answering the call

495th Motor Battalion stands and delivers in New Orleans

From delivering millions of gallons of water and food to Hurricane Katrina victims to shaking hands with the president, the soldiers of the 495th Motor Battalion have had an eventful deployment.

Since activating at the end of September, the Kalispell-based unit has delivered 3.8 million bags of ice, 4 million gallons of water, 2 million regular meals and 800,000 military Meals Ready to Eat.

Lt. Col. Pat Nugent said the 495th continues to work closely with the New Mexico National Guard while living with 1,200 soldiers and airmen from across the nation in a tent city.

But according to Nugent, their accommodations rate four-star compared to the devastation in New Orleans. He describes hundreds of houses in all directions demolished and devoid of people.

"You just don't get that from a picture," he said.

He called New Orleans depressing in one sense and uplifting in another.

"It's a city with mostly no one in it except for the volunteers," Nugent said.

Yet businesses and restaurants have opened in some areas where people have begun to return. Most heartening to the soldiers, signs have popped up everywhere spray-painted, "Thank you National Guard."

Even President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush dropped by to say thanks on Oct. 11 at the naval air station south of New Orleans.

News reports said the president delivered a brief pep talk from the back of a pickup truck.

But it was a morale-builder, according to Nugent. Many of the 495th soldiers posed for pictures with and shook hands with the president.

"For many of us, this was a once-in-a-lifetime event to 'press the flesh' with the most powerful man in the free world and our commander in chief," he said.

After spending their days delivering ice, water, food and tarps, some of the 495th have spent their off time helping fellow soldiers and airmen like Airman Jerome Tinguee of New Orleans.

While his wife and 11-year-old son wait in Kansas, Tinguee serves in the Louisiana National Guard. Montana guardsmen helped him get what was left of his New Orleans home back in order.

Even a month after the storm, his home had no power, sewer or water. The 495th soldiers pitched in to remove two trees that fell on his roof and clean debris out of his house.

"Thanks to their help, it was completed in no time," he said. "Now I can begin rebuilding."

Other 495th soldiers helped clean up a local church, according to personnel officer Capt. Brian Schmaus. They cleaned up damage from two feet of flood waters from the church's annex buildings.

Schmaus said the annex will provide a staging area for volunteers from around the country who want to help out in Louisiana and Mississippi.

"Amazingly enough, there are several houses in the neighborhood, and the actual altar/Mass area for the church, that were just high enough not to be damaged," Schmaus said.

Some of the Guard men and woman spent at least a little of their off time exploring the area.

In a recent newsletter, Command Sgt. Major Rhonda Scott describes a swamp tour through Jean Lafitte National Park.

Capt. Cyrus Blanchard, a third-generation Bayou citizen, guided the boat through the swamp and shared his 60 years of accumulated knowledge of the area and the snack habits of local creatures.

Some appeared on cue at the sound of his thick Cajun accent as a highlight of his $20 tour.

"Cyrus fed marshmallows to the alligators," Scott said.

They learned that at least 15 different fish live in the swamp waters, along with deer and birds such the blue heron that flew over head.

According to Cyrus, the heron sports a six-foot wingspan and preys on the alligators.

"He said that one can kill a whole nest of baby gators," Scott said.

In another newsletter, Scott described the mid-80s temperatures and 90 percent humidity in which the soldiers have made their deliveries.

"Your hair and T-shirt are damp all the time," she said. "Then there are the animals."

Wild boars, raccoons, alligators and armadillos make life interesting at the camp - especially the mother boar with four babies that has taken up residence near the rear entrance of the naval station.

Scott described the babies as looking a lot like porcupines.

"Don't get too close or the mom might have to take a run at you," she said.

An alligator also inhabits a canal close by the gate to the naval station. Scott described "the beady little eyes" watching to catch an unwary meal.

"Next time you hear someone complain about the cold and snow, send them to Louisiana," Scott said.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.