@Mathieu_Era I was a paramedic for EBR EMS and my station covered LSU and surrounding areas including the state streets. As a nurse and nurse practitioner student now, that area still holds a very special place in my heart.
Grateful for another year and honored to share my birthday with the country I love. Happy 4th of July to everyone! A heartfelt thank you to our brave men and women who have served and are currently serving. Enjoy the day and, most importantly, stay safe!
Dear @WhiteHouse, my name is Rodney Smith Jr., founder of Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service in Huntsville, Alabama. Through our 50 Yard Challenge, over 6,000 kids across the country have signed up to mow free lawns for the elderly, disabled, veterans, active-duty military, first responders, and single parents. With America celebrating its 250th birthday this year and me also being born on July 4th, I wanted to humbly ask if a few kids from our program and myself could travel to Washington, D.C. to help mow the White House lawn for this historic celebration.
More than anything, I want these kids to see how a simple act of service something as ordinary as mowing a lawn for someone in need can lead to extraordinary places. What better lesson in community service than showing them that helping others can take them all the way to our nation’s capital? I’d also love to bring my American flag-themed mower in hopes that the President might sign it, so I can later auction it off and donate 100% of the proceeds to a nonprofit supporting veterans. It would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to highlight the importance of service, patriotism, and the impact young people can have when they choose to make a difference. 🇺🇸
@FrMatthewLC My youngest is autistic and I dont always bring her to mass because it is difficult for her and I worry for other around her. But I love this and think that perhaps I will worry less and worship with all of my family more
We honor the life of Lawrence Brooks, who passed away at the remarkable age of 112-the oldest known WWII veteran. Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1940 at 31, he served with the segregated 91st Engineer Battalion and was deployed to the Pacific, where he spent the war in Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines. There, he played a vital role behind the front lines-driving trucks across difficult terrain, cooking for officers, and helping construct the roads, bridges, and airstrips that supported Allied operations.
After returning home to New Orleans, Lawrence built a full life-working for decades as a forklift operator, raising five children, and watching his family grow through generations. His life, spanning more than a century, stood as a powertul example of dedication, resilience, and quiet strength.
May he be remembered with honor-God bless Lawrence Brooks, and thank you for your service.
Dear @WhiteHouse, I Know this is a kind shot, but My name is Rodney Smith Jr. I live in Huntsville, AL. I’m currently traveling to all 50 states mowing lawns for veterans, active duty service members, Gold Star families & widows. I’m also sharing their stories . This is my way of honoring them.
As founder of a nonprofit with 6,000+ kids mowing FREE lawns for the elderly, disabled, single parents & veterans nationwide, I’d be honored to bring my USA Flag Mower to mow at the Arlington National Cemetery where veterans rest.
I’m currently in the New England area heading down the East Coast before Florida, then Alaska. Thank you for your consideration.
— Rodney
Aug. 29, 2005 -- my childhood home (at left) in Metairie. My Dad had evacuated, but one neighbor stayed behind and captured this picture.
There were many levee failures around metro New Orleans, but this was a failure of a different sort -- failure to plan properly. Jefferson Parish officials evacuated pump operators to the Northshore but had no plan of how to keep pumps running once the operators were gone. The end result -- rainwater flooding because pumps weren't running. It's still inconceivable to me that there wasn't a better plan in place.
The flooding in New Orleans and surrounding areas was MUCH worse, but I can tell you as the first one to enter about a week later, a soggy interior with no power and/or A/C still creates quite a mess. I spent about 5 days covering the aftermath of Katrina and then went to work on ripping out carpet and doing whatever else I could in this home.
Some people ask when we make posts like this, why dredge up the past? My answer -- hopefully by remembering the past, we don't make the same mistakes in the future. #katrina