enjoy reading a positive story.

No offense to the big money makers of the train rails but the train track needs to be moved to the north of the county.....for those who say the track served as a levee to the area during Katrina I say well let's maintain the levee but the trains do not need to be here on the coast. The reasons for relocating the track are numerous and justified.

I'm so glad to see more stories appear. Every step forward is much needed progress. We must keep this area in focus, as we didn't hear much about it a couple nights ago. This whole gulf area is American, so why can't we do the same for our citizens as we do for the citizens of the world. MSNBC keep up the good work. We need to hear that the most progress comes from within, not from the government.

Highway 90 should be moved north as well

i have said it before....when the trains roll...the economy will grow....much needed materials can be brought ...in large quainties...thanks CSX

In December, my daughter and I were in BSL helping out and staying in a trailer where the bridge crosses the Bay. Those workers were amazing, beginning at 6am everyday. They even had time to erect a Christmas tree on the beach,with lights and decorations. To me the tree was a symbol of hope. God Bless them All.

I am living right off the beach near the train bridge in Bay St. Louis and the train whistles are music to my ears! As far as the train tracks being moved north, it's a great idea, but thank God CSX didn't wait for that decision to be made to get going again - we wouldn't have had train service for years - another good example of making a decision and moving forward is the debate with the bridges in the Bay and in Biloxi - we're getting ready to start ours in the Bay and they haven't even awarded the contract for the Biloxi bridge. I feel so sorry for those people in Biloxi, they are suffering from too many people, with too many opinions, involved in making a decision. In my opinion, one reason we are progressing nicely in the Bay is because of good leadership and people who will make decisions and be willing to face the consequences of those decisions! We are slowly on our way back and I am proud to be from here!

The rebuilding in Mississippi, Alabama and rural areas of Louisiana shows what self-reliance, independence, faith in God and themselves, and hard work can do. These are the kind of people who built this nation and made it great. God bless them, each and every one.

Yes, lets move the whole coastline North...everything should be moved North. This is the solution to our problems. Numerous and Justified are the people we can move North also.

A wonderful story about a group of people who were unwilling to admit defeat. The residents of these towns, along with the generous volunteers, decided on self-reliance rather than waiting for government handouts.

These citizens have taken back control of their lives while New Orleans is still waiting for someone else to fix their problems.

God bless you in the months to come. And God bless the volunteers everyday for the rest of their lives!

Thanks so much for this story of hope. I grew up across the street from a train station so that sound always brings back memories of my childhood. We're watching you all and hoping for more stories like this one!

Thursday night I was outside with the dogs and I heard the train whistle blowing. I scared the dogs because I yelled, "yes, yes, yes". Sort of scared myself also as I just could not believe how happy I could get over a hearing a train. Now when some restaurants and clubs open up with a view of the sunset over the water I will probably start to cry.

Glad to see some foreword progress. You have not been forgotten.

Credit for the Mississippi Gulf recovery goes first to the spirit of these people who take on the responsibility for their own recovery. Then, to the countless churches, temples, local town governments, the business community and individuals who gave and continue to give so unselfishly. And, credit to Governor Barbour and the Mississippi State Government's response to the needs of its people.
The Federal Government should take little credit for results so far.

I WAS ASSIGNED TO GULFPORT AFTER HURRICANE CAMILLE IN 1969. THE PEOPLE IN MS. ARE HARD WORKING AND GOOD PEOPLE. I WAS WITH S.B.A. AND MET QUITE A FEW OF THE PEOPLE ALONG THE MS. COAST, AND I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE EFFECTS AND COURAGE THAT THEY HAD.

I don't think these areas should be moved. It stood tall and proud until Katrina came through. Katrina was a one-of-a-kind event. You can't anticipate it happening again, and run scared. I love Mississippi. Born and raised there. Let's rebuild it like it was, like it should be.

I have lived in Biloxi, MS since 1981 having moved from New Orleans. I am a transplant, but a definite Mississippian. Since the day after the hurricane we have been helping each other move on. That is typical of Mississippi people. BTW, Biloxi has been ready for the bridge for some time; another town is holding up the process. BTW2, Biloxi lost a good third of the town; come pay us a visit and see for yourself. BTW3, volunteer Americans from over all the nation, especially church groups have been a Godsend, We thank you!!!

DA TRAIN, BOSS! DA TRAIN! Wonderful story,extremely poor title and typical sterotyping of southerners. I am from New Orleans and spent every summer growing up in Waveland Ms at my Uncle Adrians camp. I live in Southern California now. Not by choice, job transfer.If I had a choice I would rather live in Hurricane ridden area of LA and MS than this cold lonely place. In any town in Mississippi and Louisiana you would never feel alone no matter what color you are. No matter what you see and hear in the media. We may be at the bottom of of the map, but we are the heart of the world. Sincerely.

Nice to see Americans working together in some places,i.e.,MS. while others wait for the gov't to act. Has anyone seen the gov't act quickly about anything. They are studying the situation or are still trying to blame someone for the situation.
If my house was on fire I am not going to study whose fault it was and what to do about it, I am just going to get out of the house. Then start re-building.

Katrina will not be a one of a kind event.
We all thought Camille was, and were we wrong.
There is no indication that storm activity will be
lessened for several years, maybe decades.

During my time of living in Arizona, it was always a special treat to visit the Gulf areas of MS and AL where there was the best shrimp in the world! We visited often. I simply cannot imagine the utter devastation Katrina wrought on such a wonderful place. Every time I hear of the advances being made in MS and AL and the lack thereof in NO, it brings a grin to my face. God indeed does help those who help themself!

Desiree, I love the way you put it "at the heart of the world". Having visited MS in November for the first time in my life, I discovered that even in the midst of tragedy and disaster of mammoth proportions, the people of MS were sincerely warm and friendly toward our small band of Northerners. "Thank you, thank you!""God bless you." "Ya'll be sure to come back when we are on our feet." There was never a question about whether or not they would get back on their feet. They - and we - know they will!!!! We can't wait to return!

Not to go too far into the stereotyping and predjudices...rather than just assume that the author of the article was stereotyping with the title, Desiree D. may want to consider that perhaps the author was referring to the "Fantasy Island" line of "De plane, de plane" which was made famous by actor Herve' Villechez and perhaps re-examine her own predjudices and stereotyping habits. Not everyone believes southerners are idiots. Some folks kind of like us.

After helping to rebuild in Gulfport. rebuilding would move faster if the city would recognize out of state license and/or let the home owner pull the permit subject to strong inspection by the city. I asked, the city, answer was Florida does not recognize their license

I recently spent a week in the Bay St. Louis and Waveland area as a volunteer with Samaritan's Purse. I was not prepared for the devastation and I don't think many people throughout the U. S. are aware of the devastation along the Ms.Coast because of the focus on Louisiana. I heard that the MS. Coast is called the "invisible coast" and I now understand why.
Many people that left everything they had to escape the hurricane will not come back because there is nothing left. There were teams from churches all over the US there as volunteers to help restore homes that were salvageable and to rebuild homes that were completely destroyed. I learned a new term, "mud-out". This meant that many of the teams would be assigned to homes where they had to start digging 5 and 6 inches of mud out before anything else could be done. As a volunteer chaplain, I ministered to these homeowners who had to decide what was salvageable and what was not out of everything they owned. As the teams worked to "mud out", tear out sheet rock and don protective clothing, hats and respirators to protect them from the mold, I tried to comfort the homeowners. One day after one of the teams had taken a sledge hammer to a 100 year old grand piano and dug 6 inches of mud out of her house, I asked her how she was doing. I really expected the worst, but she said, "I'm doing better." I said, "I'm curious as as to why today is better than yesterday" and she said, "because I can see some progress". I saw a lot of devastation but I also saw new growth on beautiful old oaks stripped bare of their leaves. I saw jonquils peeping through the rubble of a yard and heard birds singing. I saw hope arise out of hopelessness because of one day's worth of hard work from a group of volunteers that had driven for 14 hours to spend a few days working tirelessly for others. There were many blessings given and many more received as we shared at the end of each day our experiences. Those of us who were there volunteering in whatever capacity were truly blessed to be a part of the restoration and revival of the Mississippi Coast.