Part II
-1-
Public Radio America
Episode 242
"How To Build A Life"
{PRA Intro}
Eli Cohen (In Studio): It’s been over a year since Hurricane Katrina touched down on the Gulf Coast and destroyed much of the city of New Orleans. The unprecedented damage was a result of catastrophic error and told an important story about government accountability, bureaucratic failure, race and class. This month we’re launching a special spinoff series on what the effects of Hurricane Katrina look like over one year later.
This series is coming from special correspondent and new voice to PRA, Rocket Olsen. Yes, Rocket. We fact checked it.
Rocket is an editor at The Charleston Star where she covers military life. She uh, recently retired from 12 years of duty in the United States Coast Guard where she worked in Public Affairs and was part of the Coast Guard Oral History Project, this massive project to create an oral history of the experiences of coast guardsman during Hurricane Katrina.
Recently, she took the countless photographs she shot during the days after the storm and put them it this great, um, interactive multimedia slideshow in conjunction with editors at the Louisiana Picayune-Times website. This slideshow, for lack of a better word, is very hard to explain but it will be live on the Picayune-Times website this Monday and I encourage you to look at it. Some of the images--it’s just breathtaking.
-1-
{ Producer's Note: Metamorphosis by Aleck Karis begins}
Eli Cohen. This week and for the next few weeks, Rocket will revisit some of these images she took after the storm and take a deeper dive into the subjects of those photos.
Oh, also, warning, there is some language so if that bothers you or you have kids in the car you can find a bleeped version on our website. Okay, on to the story.
Rocket Olsen (In studio):
One of my favorite photos from my time doing the Coast Guard Oral
History Project is from right after the storm. It’s this photo of the
reunion between a young coast guardsmen and his wife and baby. I like this
photo because it captures an emotional reunion but it also represents
something endemic about the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.
But let's zoom out for a second.
The federal government response after the storm has been called, well, a clusterfuck.
Days after the storm hit the FEMA chairman was relieved of duty (read; dismissed) and the Admiral of Coast Guard was put in charge and basically… unclustered the fuck.
Full
disclosure; I’m a 12 year veteran of the United States Coast Guard, but nonpartisan government reports have shown the Coast Guard’s support was invaluable in correcting FEMA's errors.
See,
the Coast Guard adheres to a less hierarchical structure than any of the other branches of the United States Armed Services which means… they can
improvise. So, when the Coast Guard Admiral told his guardsmen to start saving
lives, they started saving lives by doing what they do best. Improvising.
One of my favorite stories that demonstrates this is about the rescue swimmers who realized people were trapped in their attics by rising flood waters and needed axes to get through the roof. A lieutenant sent a crew of Coast Guard Academy volunteers to the nearest Home Depots with his credit card and they cleared the place of axes. No permissions, no requests for proposals. It’s estimated coast guardsmen saved over 30,000 people from flood waters.
And then there were the churches. They also unclustered FEMA's clusterf—well, you know what I mean.
Despite
the widespread reports of inhuman suffering, many felt like FEMA was
ignoring the people and hiding behind bureaucratic delays. The religious
community on the other hand didn’t take the suffering lightly. Churches
across the Gulf Coast swiftly packed up volunteers and donations and headed out
to set up relief centers.
I spent several days at the relief centers that popped up outside the city and it was like this homecoming of service. New Hope Ministries is a Gulf region megachurch with this ginormous campus. It opened it’s grounds to other churches, doctors and medical teams. The pastors of these churches led by example; many opened their own homes to those who had lost everything and had nowhere to go—I checked back and some of them are still boarding Katrina refugees--we'll talk to them in a later episode--companies and eventually FEMA did arrive on scene to help, but for most of the time it was just this loose federation of independent churches.
Now let's zoom back in to the picture of the young couple with the baby. The man in the picture is a Chief Warrant Officer in the Coast Guard coming into one of these huge church relief sites and the woman in the picture, his wife, is a volunteer with one of the churches. Which is like a crazy perfect metaphor.
So, I knew I had to meet this couple. I spotted them at the New Hope Ministry relief campgrounds a few days after the photo. They were sitting in the bed of a pick up truck, preparing to go back home. The man in the picture is Ensign Clark. Ensgin Rhett Clark. I know ladies. Sa-woon. And the woman is his wife, Juliana Clark. The baby’s name is Mason.
(sounds of baby babbling, laughter and thumping on microphone)
Rocket Olsen (In Studio). 7 month-old baby Mason loved my microphone by the way. He kept grabbing at it. I think it’s because it had a big round pop cover the looks kind of like a boob. When I originally did this interview I didn’t know it would be on the radio so you may hear the occasional cute baby interruption.
Ensign Clark. Yeah... I don’t think we even heard or saw your camera. We didn’t know we were being watched, I was just so surprised to see her and I kind of reacted.
Rocket Olsen (In Studio). That’s Ensign Clark. Ensign Clark recently graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy and was attending A-school in North Carolina, which we will get into later, when the storm came.
Juliana Clark. Rhett and I...we don’t even have a family picture so it’s funny to see us all together—I mean together in such a, um, professional photo.
Rocket Olsen (In studio). That's Juliana. Rhett and Juliana live in Freeport, Louisiana which was actually hit pretty bad by Katrina. Juliana and her in laws, Ensign Clark’s family, waited out the storm in a church shelter for three days. When I was talking with them the entire town of Freeport has been out of power for two weeks and they tell me about what happened to their apartment.
Juliana Clark. We, um, Jocelyn, Rhett’s Mom…we went to our apartment and the walls were leaking and it was-- it smelled like mold or mildew or something, was like growing in the walls. Everything was ruined.
Rhett Clark. The landlord is calling the building a loss and closing the entire apartment complex. It’s uninhabitable so there is nothing we can really do which just kind of…sucks. We just lost our home.
Rocket Olsen. So, okay, tell me, how does it feel when you are out here trying to do good work and find out you are basically homeless ?
Rhett Clark. I mean, like I said it sucked. It’s not a good feeling, but we know we have it better than most people.
Rocket Olsen. After you leave here tonight, do you know where you are going ?
Juliana Clark. I think…I mean we’ll probably go to Rhett’s mother’s house. For a little while because her house--she didn’t have much damage.
Rocket Olsen (in studio).
They do move into Rhett’s mother’s house and a few weeks later I
actually visit Freeport to follow up with them.
-2-
{Producer's Note: Shatter by Liz Phair begins here }
Ensign Clark was still working 12 hour shifts in New Orleans and living on base so he wasn’t there when I visited.
The house is a charmer from the
outside, it’s pale yellow cottage style and has this white porch. The
front door is painted turquoise.
Inside, the house is piled high with these giant clear plastic Rubbermaid storage containers. There are literally two stacks of containers that go to the ceiling in the living room.There are a couple under the kitchen table and I glimpse more in a closet. I’m told there are 12 more containers and boxes in the shed outback.
These clear boxes contain items that were salvaged from the flooding and property damage. And the reason there are so many boxes is because this cute little 3 bedroom, 1 and a half bathroom house is currently housing 10 people. Yeah.
Juliana Clark (ding noise), her son Mason (ding noise), Ensign Clark’s Mother, Jocelyn (ding noise), his sister (ding noise) and six extended family members(six ding noises) are squeezed inside. Aubrey Giroux is one of those extended family members. She's Ensign Clark's cousin and she explains to me why her family is staying in this house.
Aubrey Giroux. My husband and I--and our three kids live out in the country and when the storm hit we were in our basement. Our house—my husband is a contractor so we built it ourselves—was made to withstand storms, but damn, that bitch Katrina was something else, ya know ? (laughter) We thought we were good, but then two trees came through the roof and caused a little damage and---
Rocket Olsen. Whoa, okay, sorry I had to—did you just call two trees coming through your roof a little damage ?
Aubrey Giroux. (short laughter) Well, no. I mean—its not. Well, I have friends and know of family who were in the city so, it was minor compared to that. I mean it's awful, but we still got a house, you know ?
Rocket Olsen. Okay, yeah, no. I see what you mean now.
Aubrey Giroux. So, like, like I said one night we were in the basement and I…
Rocket Olsen (In studio). Aubrey’s story is a little complicated so I’ll explain it. Basically Aubrey, her husband Wil and their three kids were living in their finished basement, making it work while the roof and windows were repaired. One morning Aubrey goes upstairs to get some supplies and finds a baby alligator on the steps, headed right to the basement.
(Aubrey mimicking herself screaming)
Aubrey Giroux. I panicked. I just grabbed the broom and wacked it and tried to shoo it away.
Rocket Olsen. So, like a cat ?
Aubrey Giroux. (laughing) I mean, I guess. I was just freaking the fuck out and it didn’t scare as easy at first--
Rocket Olsen. Oh my god. Oh my god. Were you scared ?
Aubrey Giroux. I was terrified. Like, we see alligators where we live all the time, but never—never out of the water like that or near the house. Wil, my husband, Wil and I looked around and noticed, in the, in the pools of water from the leaking there were other things like snakes and we knew couldn’t stay in our house with the kids and Jocelyn opened her home to us.
Rocket Olsen (In studio). I should also probably mention that all the women in this house work together at the salon owned by Ensign Clark’s mother, Jocelyn. The term steel magnolias comes to mind when I think of these women. Anyway, I had to see how everyone fits in this house and Juliana and Aubrey gives me a tour.
Juliana Clark. Mason and I sleep in Rhett’s old room. If Rhett gets leave from work he stays in here too—
Rocket Olsen. How often does he get leave ?
Juliana Clark. Um, none so far. I think they’re really busy because…he can’t call or…well and—he can’t come home.
Aubrey Giroux. Right. So, and then, my family is in the sunroom.
Rocket Olsen. The sunroom ?
Aubrey Giroux. Well, we, tried other ways and this worked best. Um, we took the bunk bed frames from my house and put them in here. My two girls sleep in the bottom and my son on the top. And there was a daybed in here already so, Wil and I will just share it. The kids like it, it’s like camping to them.
Rocket Olsen (in studio). It’s actually an impressive set up, the sunroom. Oh and there is an uncle sleeping on the living room couch so that’s why the Grioux family has been relegated outside. The uncle wouldn’t talk to me on tape but later he told me his mobile home was picked up like something out of the Wizard of Oz.
Rocket Olsen. I have to ask. How do you all not, like, I guess I’m thinking because you’re family and in-laws and not used to being so close, how do you not (short laugh) not kill each other living in such close quarters ?
Juliana Clark. I mean, we give each other space during the day—
Aubrey Giroux. And, so school is still not open but we have schedule. My oldest and I will go to the house and do some work and we also make sure the other kids have quiet time.
Juliana Clark. And I think—I think Mason likes always having someone to play with him. But also, I think even if it was hard, we, I mean all of us—we wouldn’t just leave family out in the cold.
Rocket Olsen. So, how long do you think you can live like this ?
(Aubrey and Juliana make “ummm” and nervous laughter)
Aubrey Giroux. Well, I guess however long the Lord sees fit.
Rocket Olsen (in studio). That time turned out to be 3 months, Aubrey and her family moved into their roofed up and gator-free home 3 months after that interview. As of this recording Aubrey tells me life is good and they just threw a baby shower for her new little boy on the way.
When we come back from the break, I talk to Juliana and get a glimpse of some of the biggest sacrifices of military wives.
{Producer’s note: Insert MailChimp Ad }
Rocket Olsen (in studio). Welome back, I'm Rocket Olsen for APR and today I'm following The Clark Family, the subject of one of my favorite photos I took when I was working on the Coast Guard Oral History Project. 5 months after the storm hit I visit with the Clark family again
on a very special day.
-3-
{Producer’s note: Play Oceans by Bethel Music }
(Baby crying, small crowd clapping.)
Rocket Olsen (in studio). Five months after the storm Juliana and Mason are both getting baptized at Southaven Bible Church. It's also Mason's first birthday. Freeport is a deeply religious and family oriented community, so I expected to come to a huge party, but everything is a lot more low key than I was expecting.
(Kids playing in background)
Rocket Olsen (in studio). The baptism slash birthday party is being held in a family member’s backyard in Mississippi. There are about 20 people in attendance, a dozen blue balloons tied to a high chair and an ice cream cake. I see lots of cards, but no presents.
Rocket Olsen. Can I just say… It’s seems pretty sparse. I mean..do you know what I mean ?
Juliana Clark. Yeah...it's a little scaled down. We just put money together for one big present from the family because we don’t have room for lots of toys right now. It's hard to celebrate because …there are still people in town who are displaced and…lot of people are out of work and everything. The reason we're not at the church is because families are living in the event room.
Rocket Olsen. I think for most people seeing what’s been going on and all the suffering it would make you more.... apathetic but it brought you closer to God. Can you talk about that ?
Juliana Clark. I'm not sure it's all that connected. I wasn’t raised…with a concept of religion, but I wanted to learn for Mason and…maybe for myself. I wasn’t planning on getting baptized, I was just sort of...learning. But every week at church more and more people—like even misplaced people—would go up and put their faith in God and one night I just woke up in the middle of the night on a Friday…and I felt like it was something I had to do. His birthday just happened to fall on the same Sunday.
Rocket Olsen. Do you think that’s a sign ? That his birthday coincided with the Sunday you decided to get baptized ?
Juliana Clark. I don’t know…I never thought about it that way.
Rocket Olsen. So, this is a milestone day. Birthday. Baptism. So, and, your husband isn’t here. Is that tough ?
Juliana Clark. Yes, I think he would be here if he could be. He’s just working...like it’s insane. He wasn’t even off for Christmas or Thanksgiving.
Rocket Olsen. How was that ?
Juliana Clark. Well, we went to my Dad’s in Connecticut—so it was a little less hectic than being in the house. It was good to get away but we can’t stay there all the time because if we did we’d never see Rhett—because of the distance I mean.
Rocket Olsen (in studio). That’s right. It’s about 6 months after
the storm and Juliania is still sharing a room with her son at her
mother-in-laws. I sat Juliana and her mother-in-law Jocelyn down together and
they promised me an honest answer to all my questions. Jocelyn Clark raised her children as a single mother after her husband died. She has this no nonsense Southern sensibility, but a great sense of humor. She's the kind of woman you want to hang out at a whiskey bar with.
Rocket Olsen. So, (nervous laughter)…tell me. How is the living together going ?
Juliana Clark. It’s not perfect, but it’s been mostly good---
Jocelyn Clark. I agree. 100 percent. I do. My business,
the salon I run is finally opening back up and my mind is there 24/7. I’ve had
to go through all kinds of hoops to get taxes,loans, insurance and all that
other sh—stuff. Logistics are a mess right now. So, for me to have
someone help... pick up my daughter or help with dinner has been...a blessing.
Okay ? I mean that. Sometimes we're two ships in the night, but I'm glad she is here. I am.
Juliana Clark. Yeah and I, I—um, (voice cracks) I don’t talk about this, but my mom and I’s relationship wasn’t, um, it wasn’t perfect and she’s…I…she’s gone. My mom. It’s been almost 6 years, and Jocelyn and her sister have sort of filled in some gaps my Mom didn’t get to. I didn’t think I’d be a…full time mom but I’m doing that for now and I just appreciate their help and them letting me know I can be a mom and still be…a person.
Jocelyn Clark. I mean, look Juliana and my son are young and they’re marriage was a shotgun wedding—
Juliana Clark. Well, not really---
Jocelyn Clark. Well, yes. There were...special circumstance. I mean they'd know each other but the engagement was quick and the marriage had to be done quickly because Rhett had to leave, so yes, there were special circumstance but still I’m just going to say it was a shot gun wedding. It was. I wasn’t happy at first. I was supportive....but not happy. But Juliana's stood by my boy, showed she's in this and we’re making it work. That’s all there is.
Rocket Olsen. So, could this situation be permanent ? I mean, Juliana are you even looking to get your own place?
Juliana Clark. Well, Rhett wants to buy a house this time so we can be in control of all of the storm and insurance stuff...but we can't buy until we see what happens with him.
Rocket Olsen. What do you mean ?
Juliana Clark. Well, Rhett's work in New Orleans work is just a
temporary mission. We don’t know where he’ll be stationed permanently. Once he knows that’s
where we will buy a house.
(Long pause. Ambient noise of children playing)
Rocket Olsen. Okay, so I noticed Mom make a face and I have to ask about.
Jocelyn Clark. I (voice breaks)....(sigh)…(sniffing)…God, what’s wrong with me ? What are you doin' to us, girl ? (loud laugh) (sniffing)…I… It’s just hard to think about him leaving permanently, you know ? I mean.... he went to the Academy up North for school, which I did good with but for some reason him being stationed out of state feels different. I don’t know why but it does.
Rocket Olsen. Are you close ?
Rocket Olsen (In studio). Mrs. Clark just nods her head, she can’t even speak without crying.
Jocelyn Clark. I just want him to be home. We all do.
Juliana Clark. And he will be soon. And until then we're just...making this work.
Rocket Olsen (In studio) So this is how Juliana Clark started to rebuild a life, she found God and she found family. Material things like flashy children's birthdays got less meaning.
I ask them what they
think Ensign Clark has been doing all this time and neither actually know. When we return we’re
going to fast forward another six months to answer that question. We'll finish out story in a little place known as Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
-4-
{Producer’s note: Insert ad for APR's Currency Universe podcast}
{Producer’s note: Play Still DRE by Dr. Dre }
Rocket Olsen (in studio).. Welcome back. So, what has Ensign Rhett Clark, the husband in that captivating photo been up to ? I mentioned earlier that when the storm hit Ensign Clark was in Aviation Survival Technician school or as it’s more commonly known A-School. A-school is where rescue swimmers, the most elite Coast Guard rescue team, are trained in a sort of a grueling baptism by fire. And then more fire.
And yes, I know that the Coast Guard A-School is going to be the subject of a Kevin Costner film coming out later this year.
{Producer’s note: Insert "The Guardian "Trailer Clip}
Rocket Olsen (in studio) They actually filmed some of the movie in Elizabeth City, where we are going, but it was before Ensign Clark was assigned here.
-5-
{Producer’s note: Play One Call Away }
So, in September
when the storm hit, the barely trained A-school candidates were
scattered throughout the Gulf Coast and assisted the actual rescue
swimmers. Ensign Clark tells me a little bit about that when I go down to base to meet him.
Ensign Clark. We didn’t have the medical training the other airman did, so we weren’t technically supposed to do lifts, but if like if there were two victims and one was ready to be hoisted but the other was noncompliant or unhealthy…or scared… we would go down and get the compliant person and the trained swimmers would help the distressed person.
Rocket Olsen. So, after the flooding stopped what were you doing ? I know you were doing 12 hour days for months.
Ensign Clark.
I mean, a lot of the New Orleans PD had walked off the force that night
and a lot of civilians were just taking their boats and doing their own search and rescues. We would work with the civilians , give them some safety training and supplies and let them go. It was a 24 hour day because we didn't want to leave anyone in the city behind.
And then…after a week or so it got to a point where…uh, there were a lot of…bodies in the water. You know, people who weren’t ready to leave their homes and drowned or people who were just abandoned. We would get into airboats and mark where the bodies were for the air crew...I mean we were looking for survivors but, there weren't many. …it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I know if that was my family I’d want a chance to see them one last time.
Rocket Olsen. Do you talk to your family about the things you’ve seen ?
Ensign Clark. No, ma'am. (long pause) I don’t---I don’t think it’s something I want to burden them with you know? Because I’m okay. I can kind of work through it, but not everyone can.
Rocket Olsen (In studio).
There were thousands of unidentified bodies from the storm and over a
hundred are still unidentified. The A-school candidates stayed in New
Orleans for about 5 months clearing barges, regulating the piers and
supporting the New Orleans base and New Orleans PD. They spend another few months regulating waters along the Gulf Coast and supporting FEMA.
Unfortunately on the job experience doesn’t count for much and in May--9 months after the storm--the cohort had to go back to A-School and train for the same rigorous workouts and simulated rescues the candidates before them had to.
A month before A-School Graduation I caught up with Ensign Clark and one of his class mates and friends, Chief Petty Officer Bethany Whitlow. They both witnessed some of the same suffering in Katrina and were together for many of the same missions. I actually catch up with them in a tattoo parlor in Elizabeth City. They’re both getting the Rescue Swimmer patch tattooed on their biceps.
{background noise of tattoo needle}
Rocket Olsen (In studio).I consider getting a little microphone tattoo to commemorate my first radio story for APR while I was there, but I decide to wait until a story actually airs. If you’re listening to this on the radio then that means I have a small microphone tattoo behind my left ear now. Sorry, mom.
Rocket Olsen. So, um, are you getting these tattoos in solidarity or...
Ensign Clark. It was all her idea
CPO Whitlow. It was not. (laughter) I offered up the idea and Clark and a few other guys took me up on it !
Rocket Olsen. Do you think that…that because your cohort had this Katrina experience and were kind of pushed into this…catastrophe, that, that your class is better or different than any other classes ?
CPO Whitlow. I think we’re stronger than most. Our chief was afraid some of us would leave after seeing Katrina, but we all came back and we’ve kind of been coaching each other through it. I’m proud to wear this patch and do this work and I think all of my cohort is as well.
Rocket Olsen. Do you agree with that, Ensign Clark ?
Ensign Clark. I’ve said this before so it’s no secret—I originally went to the Coast Guard Academy so I could go to college for free. It was just a way out for me. I respected what we did, but I don’t think I bought into it. This past year—watching all the work the higher ups have been doing has changed all of that. For the first time—I’m proud to be apart of something. I want to make the Coast Guard look good and I really believe in what we do and I think it’s important. I saw so many lives we couldn’t save in Katrina and now I’m ready to actually save some lives.
Rocket Olsen. So, I know you guys have your base assignments now. Do you know where you’ll be stationed ?
CPO Whitlow. Alaska
Rocket Olsen. Alaska ?!
CPO Whitlow. Yeah, it supposed to be intense... I wanted a tough assignment and it’s the one place I haven’t been. I'll be the first female rescue swimmer they have up there.
Ensign Clark. And I’m going back to New Orleans
Rocket Olsen. That makes sense. Are you excited to be with your family after being away ?
Ensign Clark. Yeah, absolutely. But I also think there is still so much work that needs to be done there so I want to go back.
Rocket Olsen (in studio). When graduation came around a month after this interview I decided to tag along with the rest of the Clark family to watch the ceremony at the Elizabeth City Joint Coast Guard Base.
-6-
{Producer’s note: Begin The Chase by Portastic }
The adorable baby, Mason , is now 21 months and looks more like a kid than a baby. He’s recently discovered running and is still obsessed with my microphone.
Mason Clark. (undecipherable babbling) (giggling) (undecipherable babbling) (Microphone thumping) (giggling)
Rocket Olson. Although, I think now it’s because my microphone looks less like a boob and more like a fun toy. I found a polka dot pop cover you guys.
Juliana Clark. Do you want to tell her who you're here to see ? (microphone
thumping) (undecipherable toddler babbling). No, don't touch her--yes, stand back here. Right here...Mason who are we going to see today ? (kissing noise). Tell her.
(giggles)
(Finger bumping against microphone)
Juliana Clark. No, we don't touch that--sorry. We’re going to see Daddy, right ? We're going to see Daddy today. Say Daddy.
Mason Clark. (undecipherable babbling) Day..day.. (undecipherable babbling)(giggles)
Rocket Olsen. Are you excited he’s coming home ?
Juliana Clark. Yeah—yes. He—um, Rhett made sure to get assigned in New Orleans, so everyone is excited
Rocket Olsen. It's been over a year since I took that photo of you and your husband's reunion and you have had a lot of…. like he goes away and comes back a lot, so like, so you two have had a lot of departures and reunions this year and it’s been a tough year for the region and I guess my question is...how has it changed you ? Or has it changed you ?
Juliana Clark. Well..Rhett and I…we like, even before we were married, we were always apart
for a long time so we’ve had a lot of practice and I think now that he
has this position, um, it will be a new part of our relationship. We're good.
Rocket Olsen. Do you think watching him leave is just part of the territory for military wives ?
Juliana Clark. Well—he's not in war and I don’t think of myself as—oh no, honey. No-no. No, put that down. Put it down. Sava—Mason--no.(flip flop sound and faint baby crying) No, that’s gross, you don’t want that. It’s okay. (flip flop sound) I’m sorry.
(Rocket laughing)
Rocket Olsen. Aw, did that look tasty, buddy ?
Rocket Olsen (in studio):
So, we were standing in front of this pier on the base that has a water
feature with these brilliant blue pebbles in it. I think Mason thought
they were candy. He interrupted a lot of our interviews and I just had
to include one interruption.
Rocket Olsen. (Laugh) It’s okay. So what’s next for you when you two ?
Juliana Clark. So we’re moving out of Jocelyn—, my mother-in-laws house and I’m going to, I’m going back to school which is….it’s going to be new.
Rocket Olsen. So, now it’s your husband’s turn to support you.
Juliana Clark. I—well, yes, I guess so.
Rocket Olsen (In studio). A-School Graduation is just a small ceremony held in a gym on base. The rescue swimmer candidate class stands at attention in their dress whites. The cohort is only 14 students but it’s one of the larger classes in years and the Admiral who took over Katrina rescue spoke to the class.
{ Producer note: Insert clip 8:43:12 to 9:10:01 of Admiral Commencement Address }
-7-
{ Producer note: Insert Begin Again by The Piano Guys }
Rocket Olsen. Afterwards there is a reception on the patio of the Officers Club and I catch up with the Clarks. Together. I watch Ensign Clark come up behind his wife and put his cap on her head, she doesn’t even turn around to know it’s him. He whispers something in her ear and she turns a very bright red. When I ask about what he whispered later they both plead the 5th.
And while there is no emotional embrace in this reunion that will get this editor a shot at a Pulitzer Prize winning photo there is a side hug, a kiss on the cheek and lots of laughter.
(Ambient noise of crowd. Laughter)
Mason Clark. Dada (indecipherable baby talk) Dada
Ensign Clark. Hey, look at you.
Juliana Clark. Yeah. Do you want let Daddy hold you ?
Ensign Clark. Come here
Mason Clark. (indecipherable) Noooo (crying)
Juliana Clark. Oh, wait, he's going to mess up you're--
Ensign Clark. It's alright
Juliana Clark. Okay...go to Daddy. (Mason Clark whining)
Ensign Clark. It's okay, you know who I am. Yes you do. Yeah, son you know who I am. Come here...Look how big you are, man. Want me throw you in the water ? Look I'm going to throw you right off this pier. (indecipherable toddler noise) (laughter)
Juliana Clark. My arms are tired. (short laugh). It's such a long day.
Ensign Clark. You want me to pick you up and carry you out of her all Officer and a Gentlemen style ?
Juliana Clark. What do you mean ?
Ensign Clark. Oh, come on, J (short laugh)
Juliana Clark. What ?
Ensign Clark. (laughing) I love you
Juliana Clark. I know
Rocket Olsen. So, can I say I feel like I’m seeing a lighter side of you two ? I loved that you knew he was behind you the the minute he put that cap on your head.
Juliana Clark. Well Rhett and I, um since we were engaged whenever I would meet Rhett at the airport or somewhere he’d put his hat on my head because he thinks it’s romantic or something--,”
Ensign Clark. Nah, I just think it looks better on her.
(laughing)
Rocket Olsen. So, I asked Juliana this, but now I want to ask you together. Where do you go from here ?
Ensign Clark. Afterparty, we're celebrating tonight ! (laughing). You're invited, too.
Rocket Olsen. (short laugh).Okay. No, I mean, what does life look like after this day ? Where do you go, either literally...or not literally after you leave here.
Ensign Clark. Home
Juliana Clark. Home
{Producers Note: Start Outro song}
Rocket Olsen (in studio).
I think the reason the Clarks captivated me is because they are both really young
but also ready to change the world around them. Which is so much what the
recovery effort of the storm needed. People who didn’t fall in line
behind someone else. People who wanted to step in and change the world around them.
The Clarks tell me that because of the
storm the real estate in the Gulf region pretty much, and I quote 'sucks'. They’re
actually moving into Ensign Clark's grandparent’s house in Freeport which hasn’t been
lived in in a decade. They said they are going to renovate it themselves so that if another
storm comes through they can be ready.
Ensign Clark also tells me that as a rescue swimmer on duty he still works 24 hour shifts but since I last saw he and Juliana reunited at the graduation in North Carolina they haven’t been apart for more than a week.
-8-
{ Credit Outro: Ole Man Trouble by Otis Redding begins}
Credits
Rocket Olsen (In studio): Our program was produced today by Lynda Lay , October S, HF Franklin, myself , Violeta Flowers and June Summers. Our senior producer is Shauna Vance.
APR oversight provided by Eli Cohen. Eli and I actually had lunch together the other day while I was in the city and the , um, the delivery guy accidentally brought Eli the wrong sandwich. He was not happy when he opened the bag and saw the wrong order.
Aubrey Giroux. I panicked. I just grabbed the broom and whacked it and tried to shoo it away
Rocket Olsen (In studio): I'm Rocket Olsen and I'll be back next week with more stories for APR.
###
PRODUCER'S NOTE: SEGMENT UNAIRED. PLACE IN ARCHIVE.
End of Part II
-----
No, seriously Lile don't sue me. Also that whole credits section isn't canon, obviously) (;
Can I just say it is extremely hard to write realistic 'mumblecore' dialogue ?
Also the Coast Guard Oral History project is real and heavily inspires some of this.