BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. -- “Katrina took a lot of things, but it can’t take Christmas.” That’s how Lance Rihner of Bay St. Louis explains why he insisted on decorating his house this year, despite the devastation that surrounds it.
Of the few homes left standing here and in neighboring Waveland, many are decked out with Christmas lights and decorations, even though the residents have many more-pressing concerns. Click here to see the decorated homes, tents and trailers and hear the residents talk about the holiday season.
“It’s important, especially for the children … even if it’s just a little styrofoam snowman in the front yard,” says Bob Welz of Waveland.
Brian and Suzanne Porter, Bay St. Louis residents who still have jobs, say they decorated to make the area more festive for those who lost everything.
"These you can see from Main Street, so I know they’re going to ride around and see," Suzanne says.
Many of the decorations are on FEMA trailers, and there’s even a trailer contest sponsored by the city of Bay St. Louis.
“You can’t put nails in a FEMA trailer, so we used duct tape,” Cowger says of the atypical arrangement.
Stacy Schutz of Waveland decided to combine Christmas with criticism for FEMA. After tiring of waiting for a FEMA trailer and then discovering she was pregnant, Schutz and her husband bought their own house on wheels. But they also pitched a mini-tent in front of a plywood sign with this greeting: “FEMA HOLIDAY HOUSING.”
Bay St. Louis resident Edward Jurkowski was still putting up his decorations: wreaths on two large oaks and a life-sized metal moose that he always dresses up for the season.
The Main Street house, oaks and moose, who has always been secured with trailer ties, all survived Katrina. The house got an inch of water, while the moose has one slightly droopy ear now and lost its straw hat. The sunglasses, on the other hand, made it.
As Jurkowski put the finishing touches on the moose on a gorgeous afternoon, he hesitated before plugging in spotlights to showcase his display.
“There’s no guarantee that they’re going to light up after a hurricane,” was his caveat.
But the next night, as we drove past Jurkowski's house, the lights of Christmas were shining bright.
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A year ago today I faced surgery for cancer, and today I'm here and well. In a year, these brave families will remember where they were, and how far they have come. My husband travels to this region for work, and his comments to me over and over are, "Everyone here is so grateful. They have lost everything, and yet they have much hope for the future."
Chris Giertz, Houston, TX (Sent Dec 18, 2005 12:43:32 AM)
Hello happy new year................
walid itani,ryiadh,saudia arabia (Sent Dec 18, 2005 1:58:56 AM)
To Whom it may concern,
I recently learned from friends and family that live in Waveland, Mississippi the city fathers have an ordinance that does not allow mobile homes of any type within city limits, they will allow fema travel trailers. There are homeless people living in tents still in Waveland Mississippi many people have their own property and could afford to place a mobile home for residence until rebuilding occurs the city will not allow this .
Needless to say my brother his wife and their 3 children are living in a 32 foot travel trailer. The cries of help from the gulf coast have been heard nationwide and the good people of our country have responded, Why is it that the town fathers who complain loudly about lack of assistance from the Federal government, refuse to overturn existing ordinances to help the people of their own community.
I feel that if the small town of Waveland Mississippi received some publicity regarding this asinine "law" that maybe some of the folks of Waveland could begin to get on their feet and on the long road of recovery and rebuilding.
Michal Meaders Pensacola Florida (Sent Dec 18, 2005 12:10:38 PM)
It does not fail to amaze me that after all these people have been through they are still holding strong and trying to have a better holiday to all in the gulf coast my heart and prayers are with you this holiday season god bless and happy holidays to you all best wishes.
stacy powell johnstown pa (Sent Dec 18, 2005 2:22:44 PM)
At this time I think people such as Bill Gates,Oprah,and the movie stars as they are called,shouldsend there huge donations to the katrina people instead of countrys like Africa to name one.The Bush White House also could suspend some of the foriegn aid for a short time and we could rebuild all the areas in a much shorter timeinstead of worrying about FEMA.GOD BLESS AND KEEP ALL OF YOU BRAVE PEOPLE
Ken Chapman..Osmond Nebraska (Sent Dec 18, 2005 3:05:52 PM)
It's time the Bush administration takes care of the American people starting with all Katrina victims.
America is suffering and we are spending too much time and money in Iraq.
May you all have a blessed Christmas!
margaret dotson (Sent Dec 18, 2005 3:44:54 PM)
The people that are decorating their trailers and the ones with homes that survived - they will lead the community in it's efforts to recover. Others will follow as they get back on their feet.
susan, decatur, AL (Sent Dec 18, 2005 4:06:06 PM)
To the Katrina survivors, May God Truly Bless Each and Everyone of You this Holiday Season. As our neighbor our hearts and thoughts are always with you. You truly are the SALT OF THE EARTH.
Lorraine Evanshen, Brooklin, Ont. CANADA (Sent Dec 18, 2005 6:07:52 PM)
You people have so much hope! We Are praying for you! Remember God oves you and he always will! Merry Christmas and keep up you hope!
Loriann Shoemaker, Dean Texas (Sent Dec 18, 2005 9:03:12 PM)
They continue to amaze me.. I wish I had control to make everything better!!
CoysToy (Sent Dec 18, 2005 10:04:50 PM)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all affected by hurricane Katrina. GOD BLESS EVERYONE!
M. Gresham, Memphis, TN (Sent Dec 18, 2005 11:31:52 PM)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all affected by hurricane Katrina. There is nothing imposible for God and may GOD BLESS EVERYONE!!!
Maria E Rego (Sent Dec 19, 2005 7:48:16 AM)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all affected by hurricane Katrina. There is nothing imposible for God and may GOD BLESS EVERYONE!!!
Maria E Rego (Sent Dec 19, 2005 7:50:22 AM)
GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU WHO WERE AFFECTED BY HURRICANE KATRINA---I WISH I HAD THE RESOURSES TO MAKE IT ALL BETTER FOR ALL OF YOU----MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
M. FATONE , PELHAM, NY (Sent Dec 19, 2005 10:18:26 AM)
I have suffered through huricanes before so, believe me, i know what you are going through. God bless you all and continue to give you the strength to survive. Have a Merry Christmas and God's blessing in the New Year.
Ena, New Jersey (Sent Dec 19, 2005 11:21:48 AM)
That is real Christmas Spirit! God Bless You All!
Frank, Westland, Michigan (Sent Dec 19, 2005 11:22:42 AM)
The Spirit of Christmas lies within the soul. You folks are jsut awesome!
Don Pendleton (Sent Dec 19, 2005 12:00:26 PM)
This shows the 'true spirit' of this community despite all their hardship. God bless you all!
Loree Miller, Hanceville, Al (Sent Dec 19, 2005 12:24:00 PM)
HI EVERYONE THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS, AND SUPPORT. I AM A VICTIM OF KATRINA. AND A DENIED STONE OF FEMA.YOU WORK HARD PAY PLENTY OF TAXES. AND WHEN YOURE IN NEED. YOUR FEMA INSPECTOR DENIES YOU. BY SITTING AT A COMPUTER AND LOOKING AT A SATALLITE VEIW OF YOUR HOME .AND THE ONLY THING THAT HE SAYS WAS DESTROYED WAS THE DOOR AND WINDOWS BLOWN OUT. WE ALL KNOW THAT THE NATIONAL GAURDS KICKED EVERYONE'S DOORS OPEN LOOKING FOR SURVIORS.COULD THAT BE WHAT HE SAW ???? BUT GOD DID NOT BRING ME THIS FAR TO LEAVE ME.I WILL HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR. AND THE SAME TO EVERYONE. THERE IS A GREATER POWER FROM ABOVE. THAT DOES NOT SLEEP..
PAT . FORCED TO SEATTLE ,WA (Sent Dec 19, 2005 12:49:40 PM)
It does not matter you trust in God or not. It does not matter you are a Christian or not. But Christmas is for all. Celebrate it with your family and friends with joy. If you can not help others, at least don't ever think to harm others. Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all.
Puran P. Choudhary, Gallup NM 87305 (Sent Dec 19, 2005 1:40:50 PM)
I've been keeping up with the news of BSL/Waveland (thanks to MSNBC) since I returned home on Nov 20 after spending 9 days doing cleanup in Waveland/BSL. My heart is with all of you. You've become like family. Your strength continues to amaze me! With all that devastation, all the loss, you are able to stand strong and have hope. You are an inspiration for all of us. Merry Christmas to you all!
Leslie Rafaniello, Little Egg Harbor, NJ (Sent Dec 19, 2005 4:29:24 PM)
that is american pride!!! merry x-mas.
jerry blakeney atlanta ga (Sent Dec 19, 2005 4:31:25 PM)
Merry Christmas and god bless you
emely sanchez-gatica, parlier,ca (Sent Dec 19, 2005 4:35:26 PM)
This really makes those of us who "have it all" praise God each and every day for the things we take for granted, like a warm bed and flushing toilet. I can only pray that we all learn a lesson from these incredible people that are celebrating despite the turmoil in their day to day lives. Bless you for showing us what Christmas Spirit really is.
Patti, California (Sent Dec 19, 2005 4:38:07 PM)
Good Bless all of you on the Gulf. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I will keep you all in my prayers. Good Bless the Animals.
Jodi, Orange, Ca (Sent Dec 19, 2005 4:51:44 PM)
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