Over 10 years ago, common citizens of Louisiana banded together during a time of great distress — the natural disaster known as Hurricane Katrina — and formed a rough-knit group some called the “Cajun Navy,” coming to the aid of thousands of injured or trapped residents of the Bayou State in the days following that event.
Many remember televised helicopter footage of families trapped on the roofs of houses without water or food, shouting for help. State Senator Walter Boasso decided to organize some people and sent out a call for volunteers in the state.
Over 400 men and boats showed up to answer his request in Lafayette. They formed an eight-mile long convoy that traveled to New Orleans and began the dangerous work of rescuing residents and distributing necessary supplies.
Recently, as extreme flooding overtook the state again this month, the same group reformed to help hundreds of citizens hard-hit by the waters. However, this time, they faced a new nemesis: State Senator Jonathan Perry, who wants to limit rescue operations by Good Samaritans to those with permits, training and government permission.
