thedrifter
09-14-05, 05:16 AM
HMH-464 transports special Vatican envoy
MCAS New River
Story by Lance Cpl. Brandon M. Gale
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (Sept. 13, 2005) -- Marines from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron-464 provided transportation to a special envoy sent by Pope Benedict XVI to survey the damage left by Hurricane Katrina and to bring a message of condolence to the people of the Gulf Coast.
According to Bishop John H. Ricard, bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola, Fla., the pope expressed deep concern when he heard news reports of the tragedy, and by sending Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes as a personal representative to the region, he hopes to show solidarity between the victims and the rest of the world.
“In addition to reporting back to the pope on the things he sees, Archbishop Cordes is also the head of the council which oversees the Church’s charity institutions, so he will also determine the best way to aid in the relief effort,” he said.
The “Condors” of HMH-464 got involved in the mission because the air space over the area is still restricted to military and rescue flights, so Cordes and his entourage had no other means of transportation, said Lt. Col. Paul Power, HMH-464 commanding officer.
Three CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters from HMH-464 were attached to HMH-461 (-) rein. for its deployment in support of Joint Task Force Katrina.
“Apart from rescuing people and dropping off food and water, bringing in this kind
relief society so they can get a first-hand look at the devastation and meet with the local
charities is the most important thing we can do,” said Power. “We can bring these people together and link them internationally.”
HMH-464’s mission was to pick up Cordes, who was joined by Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, archbishop of Washington D.C., and Alfred C. Hughes, archbishop of New Orleans, along with several other bishops, priests and assistants, in Baton Rouge, La., and fly them to Biloxi, Miss., where they met with local officials and visited parishes damaged by the storm.
During the flight to and from Biloxi, Cordes and his entourage had the opportunity to see the vast amount of destruction the hurricane brought, including views of New Orleans and Gulfport, Miss.
This trip marked the first time a papal envoy has visited the United States for the purpose of disaster relief, said Navy Lt. Charles D. McCormick, Marine Aircraft Group-29 chaplain.
“I think they were all amazed at what they saw,” he said. “Not only at the devastation, but at how we as a country have been taking care of each other. We are a very caring people.”
Ellie
MCAS New River
Story by Lance Cpl. Brandon M. Gale
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (Sept. 13, 2005) -- Marines from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron-464 provided transportation to a special envoy sent by Pope Benedict XVI to survey the damage left by Hurricane Katrina and to bring a message of condolence to the people of the Gulf Coast.
According to Bishop John H. Ricard, bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola, Fla., the pope expressed deep concern when he heard news reports of the tragedy, and by sending Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes as a personal representative to the region, he hopes to show solidarity between the victims and the rest of the world.
“In addition to reporting back to the pope on the things he sees, Archbishop Cordes is also the head of the council which oversees the Church’s charity institutions, so he will also determine the best way to aid in the relief effort,” he said.
The “Condors” of HMH-464 got involved in the mission because the air space over the area is still restricted to military and rescue flights, so Cordes and his entourage had no other means of transportation, said Lt. Col. Paul Power, HMH-464 commanding officer.
Three CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters from HMH-464 were attached to HMH-461 (-) rein. for its deployment in support of Joint Task Force Katrina.
“Apart from rescuing people and dropping off food and water, bringing in this kind
relief society so they can get a first-hand look at the devastation and meet with the local
charities is the most important thing we can do,” said Power. “We can bring these people together and link them internationally.”
HMH-464’s mission was to pick up Cordes, who was joined by Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, archbishop of Washington D.C., and Alfred C. Hughes, archbishop of New Orleans, along with several other bishops, priests and assistants, in Baton Rouge, La., and fly them to Biloxi, Miss., where they met with local officials and visited parishes damaged by the storm.
During the flight to and from Biloxi, Cordes and his entourage had the opportunity to see the vast amount of destruction the hurricane brought, including views of New Orleans and Gulfport, Miss.
This trip marked the first time a papal envoy has visited the United States for the purpose of disaster relief, said Navy Lt. Charles D. McCormick, Marine Aircraft Group-29 chaplain.
“I think they were all amazed at what they saw,” he said. “Not only at the devastation, but at how we as a country have been taking care of each other. We are a very caring people.”
Ellie