Thursday, June 25, 2009, Nashville, TN., 6:51 a.m., D.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

A very pensive Louisiana Sandusky here.  Today our city is going to hold its annual mock disaster drill, to test the city's response to a real disaster, in case it should happen (God forbid!!).

In this case, it's a terrorist attack.  Terrorism has once again "struck" the United States of America, this time, in Nashville, Tennessee.

At nine sharp, several foreign-born "terrorists" brandishing "bombs" and "weapons" will come barging in at one of the local high schools, where a festival is going on.  The bombs will go off, injuring thousands; and killing hundreds more.  There will be mass "destruction". 

There will be several thousand people taking part, including ordinary citizenry, medical personnel, police, fire, and city officials on the city, state, and national levels.  It is a huge deal; they've been planning this for months, since January.  Now it is finally going to come to pass, five months later, in late June.

I am one of those chosen.  I will be at the hospital, "working", as this happens; we will be fielding calls from terrified witnesses, then come to be expected to treat the "injured" that will come pouring in to our hospital unit.  (There wil be other hospitals participating.)  Some of the injuries will be "minor"; most, however, will be "catastrophic".  There will even be some "dead bodies" thrown in to the mix.

It is going to be hectic at best; however, it is being done to test our mettle in case of a real emergency.  As we treat the "injured" and move the "dead" to the "morgue", we will have to keep reminding ourselves that "this is only pretend; this is only a drill".

I know several of my kids will be taking part.  As to which ones, I have no clue; however, I know that I will want to fall apart when they are brought in.  That is one of the worst scenarios for any mother:  to see their kid injured, possibly dying, right in front of them, and the only thing you can do is pray and be there for them (or, in my case, treat their "injuries" as best as I can).

I know two people who won't be participating:  my husband and one of my teenaged daughters; they are out of the state as I write this; they won't be back until tomorrow.

It's no small relief, though, for I know that some of my kids will be "potential victims" or possibly "dead".  I will have to keep my emotions in check as I deal with the "situation" at hand.

Several of our local news channels will be there at the event, filming as this is going on; there's a distinct possibility that a good chunk of us might end up on televison and possibly get interviewed.  It is a huge deal here.

Well, I have to get back to work, then get ready for the sh** to hit the fan as the city of Nashville throws its annual disaster drill training exercise and then deal with that.  Be praying all goes well, and pray we get through this in one piece!  I would greatly appreciate it!  Thanks in advance!

Take care and may God bless you! 

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Louisiana May.  :(

P.S.:  "Remember:  This.  Is.  Only.  A.  Drill!"