We at De La Salle High School - New Orleans remain forever grateful to the men and women of the Oklahoma, Kentucky, Wyoming and Montana Army National Guard for protecting our school, our neighborhood and our city, from 28 Sept to 17 October.  In a special way, we remembered and thanked the Governors and the Adjutants General of the Army National Guard of each state.  Today, we received the following correspondence from the Brigadier General of the Oklahoma Army National Guard.  

Mr. Ken Tedesco, President
De La Salle High School, New Orleans
December 30, 2005

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"Dear Mr. Tedesco:

I would like to express to you, the faculty, staff and students of De La Salle High School my sincere appreciation for the hospitality and kindness extended to the members of Task Force Orleans and Task Force Oklahoma during our recent deployment to New Orleans.  Your willingness to open your doors and extend your support to my staff and soldiers was heart warming and aided us greatly in our efforts to assist the citizens of New Orleans in their recovery.  Your facilities were a welcome relief from the hot parking lot of the WalMart store.

Your kindness and generosity will forever be etched in the minds of our soldiers.  At such a time as appropriate, I personally would like to come to New Orleans and present a token of our appreciation to De La Salle High School from the members of the "Thunderbirds" for all your kindness.  It inspires us to know that citizens such as yourselves appreciate the efforts and sacrifices of our soldiers and display that gratitude through acts of kindness such as your extended.

Please know that I continue to pray for you and the citizens of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana as you continue to come through this difficult time.  Please do not hesitate to call me if there is anything we can ever do for you.

God bless you all.

Myles L. Deenng

Brigadier General
Commanding General
Headquarters 45th Infantry Brigade
Infantry Division
Oklahoma Army National Guard