People helping people

Regarding “Storm watching” (Page A31, Sunday), thank you for your coverage of the reaction to President Trump’s comments on Harvey rescue efforts. I’d like to add a few things that were missed. (And I was a civilian first responder who lives by Addicks Reservoir which was a flooded lake.)

While there were folks in boats from our area, many other locals couldn’t get to theirs. The majority of the folks I worked with came from as far away as Oklahoma, Lubbock, New Mexico, West Texas and the Valley area, and yes, the “Cajun Navy” that came from Louisiana as volunteers. All of them were there to help, not watch the storm. There were ski boats, fishing boats and jet skis. But I didn’t see any cameras, fishing poles or ski ropes. This was strictly a humanitarian effort. Peace officers, Coast Guard and National Guard were there as well. They were welcoming and asking for assistance because they were over their capacity to do everything needed to be done. And folks answered the call.

Disasters have happened in this country, from New York to California to Hawaii and many other places. Regardless of the location we see the same thing — people helping people. And that’s why I love this country and I’m thankful to be an American. Jeff Eisenhardt, Houston