[StBernard] St. Bernard Parish to mark Hurricane Katrina's 4th anniversary with nod to progress

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Parish to mark Hurricane Katrina's 4th anniversary with nod to
progress
by The Times-Picayune 
Thursday August 13, 2009, 10:11 AM

As St. Bernard Parish gears up to mark Katrina's 4th anniversary, leaders
want residents to note the progress made in rebuilding the community.St.
Bernard Parish will observe the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with the
annual school system breakfast and the gathering at the parish's Katrina
monument in the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet at Shell Beach.

But as the parish remembers the deadly 2005 storm, leaders also want
residents to take a moment to embrace the progress they've made in the past
four years in rebuilding their battered community. 

This year's lineup includes a "Community Celebration" that will mark that
progress. 

St. Bernard Parish President Craig P. Taffaro Jr. said in a news release
that the events serve as vehicles to commemorate the storm's aftermath, as
well as celebrate the ongoing progress and embrace the "citizens' zeal about
day-to-day steps in the parish's recovery." 


"Recovering from Hurricane Katrina has tested the resolve of our beloved St.
Bernard Parish, but the determination of its residents shines through daily
around us as we witness signs of all sorts of recovery and growth," Taffaro
said. 

Here are the scheduled government-sanctioned events:

-- The St. Bernard Parish public school district will host its annual "Day
of Reflection" at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 28 at Chalmette High School. Tickets, at $5
each, are limited. Call 504.301.2000. As part of the event, the ribbon will
be cut formally opening the 9th Grade Academy that is part of Chalmette's
campus. 

-- The ceremony at the Katrina Monument at Shell Beach, which bears the
names of St. Bernard's 163 storm deaths, begins at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 29. 

-- At 3 p.m. Aug. 29, a Rosary will be recited at Our Lady of Prompt Succor
Church in Chalmette, followed by a mass at 4 p.m. 

-- The community celebration at Torres Park in Chalmette is from 5:30 p.m.
to 8 p.m. Aug. 29. The band Harvey Jesus performs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

During the celebration, parish government has invited civic groups,
government agencies or citizens to show case interested in reserving tables
to showcase Also during the Community Celebration, Taffaro has invited all
civic groups, government agencies and citizens to participate in a "We're
Still Here Gallery" showcasing parish icons and memorabilia. Contact Karen
Turni Bazile at 504.278.4280 or kbazile at sbpg.net to reserve a table.