News and Information for Gloucester and Mathews, VA | Thursday, April 19, 2018 Vol. LXXXI, no. 16 NEW SERIES
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Home » Opinion

Letter: Tragedy brings out best in people

Posted on Apr 20, 2011 - 04:42 PM Printer Friendly View

Editor, Gazette-Journal:

No words can describe the devastation that happened on Saturday here in Gloucester and the neighboring counties. Lives were changed within seconds. The suddenness of it all is what is so shocking. One minute we are living our daily routines and the next we are dealing with death and destruction.

I am writing this not to state the obvious and to lament our situation, but to point out the good that has come out of this terrible storm.

Immediately after the storm, the people of my neighborhood—Coke—started to work checking on the safety of one another and helping to locate missing people. I was out of town on a Boy Scout day trip and was called by a neighbor who told me of the storm. I immediately thought of my father-in-law who was in our house and started calling around to see if I could locate him. Two of my neighbors volunteered to look for him even though their houses had been badly damaged. Eventually, we discovered he was safe and they could return to the tasks of securing their property, but they thought of others first.

On Sunday, everyone went around the neighborhood first to check on everyone and then they started on the cleanup. It was amazing to see the number of people from all parts of the county come to help in whatever way they could. Some brought food, some brought chainsaws, and others trucks. Dominion Power was on the scene working to restore power. Fire and rescue were out helping with the injured and the local and state police were handling traffic. By Sunday afternoon, progress was visible.

On Monday, the shelter at Bellamy United Methodist Church was collecting items for those who lost everything. When I visited Bellamy, the volunteers were everywhere and the tables of clothing and other items were well organized and ready for those who needed them. It was yet another example of the strength of our community.

I would like to thank all those who have given of time and goods. Your efforts are most appreciated. Thank you.

Catesby Jones

Coke, Va.

More:
  • Letter: Clearing up a misconception
  • Letter: School funding advocates omit details
  • Letter: Protect Mathews’ future by supporting schools
  • Letter: Highlighting a few outstanding volunteers
  • Letter: Coming after your safety net
  • Editorial: Saved … once again
  • Letter: Make Gloucester Point a beautiful entry point
  • Letter: Expand Virginia Medicaid
  • Editorial: The blood of the martyr
  • Letter: Limiting guns is only a Band-Aid
  • Letter: More budget deliberation needed
  • Letter: Budget is a process
  • Letter: Hear me out!
  • Letter: Deny Villages of Gloucester proposal
  • Letter: Rousing successes
  • Letter: Don’t mow your daffodils
  • Editorial: A matter of trust
  • Letter: ‘Brighter Childhoods’
  • Letter: ‘If you can’t take the heat …’
  • Letter: No place is free from crime

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Gloucester Mathews Gazette-Journal, 6625 Main Street, P.O. Box 2060, Gloucester, VA 23061 Phone: (804) 693-3101
© Copyright 2011-2018, Tidewater Newspapers, Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Monday, April 23, 2018 - 7:06 pm