NEW ORLEANS -- For the average soldiers on deployment in the Army National Guard, there is a certain level of inconvenience placed upon their lives. Many leave well-paying jobs, some withdraw from school, others leave husbands, wives and children not knowing when or if they will ever return.

The price paid by the "citizen soldier" is a heavy one.

Hurricane Katrina has been the top news story in this country for the past three weeks, and of course, there are thousands of stories to tell about survivors, the dead found and the terrible loss that New Orleans has suffered. The untold stories are of the tens of thousands of soldiers who put their lives on hold to respond when called by their respective states.

Day after day, the unforgivable Louisiana heat beats down on thousands of soldiers. With no rain in the immediate forecast and no sense of when they are going home, soldiers brave the humidity and suck down gallons of water to try to stay hydrated. The conditions of the ravaged city and, most importantly, being away from those they care about the most weigh heavily on minds.

One thing you won't hear are complaints about why they are here.

The reason for this column is to thank Brig. Gen. Myles Deering and the rest of the task force for allowing me to participate in this mission. When I think about my eventual return to OU, I do feel bad because I have to return to getting an education while my brothers-in-arms sweat it out another day.

The mission is simple for soldiers who serve our country and are called to duty. They do it, for whatever reason, so the average citizen does not have to.

Citizens can complain about the federal government's so-called slow response to relief efforts or complain about the unnecessary images that are plastered across the television every night, but they should recognize the unsung heroes who are deep in the disease-filled waters, patrolling the streets with law enforcement, helping to secure the city and making life a lot easier for those who are affected.

I have been asked by many people what I have seen during my two weeks here. To be honest, there is not enough paper in the world to describe the total destruction I have seen. Although the water levels have gone down considerably in the past few days, I can still see water marks on houses and know the occupants will never be able to live in their homes again. Seeing a mother and father walk down the street with their two little kids in a shopping cart just isn't right.

The smell of the city is absolutely disgusting at times, with the mix of dead bodies, oil, gas, human waste and trash.

Let's just hope that New Orleans is rebuilt bigger and better than ever so people will want to come down here to visit. In the condition it's in now, there isn't a single reason to travel here except to help out with the efforts.

I know most people couldn't spend one hour in the conditions soldiers face every day. For that simple reason, the least they can do is say "thanks." That goes a long way in helping soldiers do the task at hand.

I have no problems telling people I am in the National Guard or that my tuition is paid for, because I am proud to serve the people of Oklahoma in a way that I will never forget.

Now it's time to return to reality, leave Spc. Axson behind for a little while and get back to being Scooby.

--Scooby Axson is a journalism junior and reporter for The Daily. He is currently deployed with the Army National Guard in New Orleans.
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