P.O. Box 24378 New Orleans, LA 70184 504.324.2270
Remember the West Point cadets who assisted us with so much landscaping last year? Well, they're back, spending their spring break working tirelessly with Al Pitre on Operation Sudden Impact, making a difference in the quality of all our lives.
Pitre has been dedicated to restoring our green spaces and public areas since Katrina. Connie Uddo of the St. Paul's Beacon of Hope told me that Pitre has been devoted to the beautification of our outdoor environment. If not for his efforts, we would not have so much restoration under way, she said.
When my family arrived back in the area in March of 2006, seemingly a lifetime ago, everything that was green before the storm was either gray or yucky brown. There was little wildlife and few people here at that time, but there was lots of debris. One of the first things we did was to plant grass and a garden in the front yard, creating our own little oasis. It made us feel better.
Well, thanks to Pitre and so many volunteers, we are enjoying our restored Canal Boulevard, as well as outdoor restoration work at West End, on Florida, Robert E. Lee and Argonne boulevards, Wuerpel and Filmore streets, Harrison Avenue and across the lakefront. Beautification projects not only give all of us hope but also inspire businesses and homeowners to move back to our area.
The cadets who are here now are Loc Bao, Alex Bowling, William Budke, Kimberly Cowan, Steven Nelson, Brittany O'Connell, Stephanie Sefren, Nate Sheehan, Ashley Sorensen and Terry Willams. Two professors also on board to lend assistance are Morten Ender and Bruce Keith.
The West Point creed is to educate, train and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character, committed to the values of duty, honor and country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the nation as an officer in the Army.
All the young men and women who have come to our neighborhood in the past two years are a credit to West Point. I have no doubt that these young Americans will become leaders of our nation. This gives all of us inspiration and hope for a brighter future.
If you happen to see them working, be sure and honk your horn and give them a big thumbs up. Thanks West Point Cadets and Al Pitre for assisting in our city's comeback!