Editor's Introduction: Former NCUA Chairman turned consultantDennis Dollar is a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast. This giveshim a unique perspective on the effects of Hurricane Katrina on thedevastated Gulf Coast. He shares his thoughts in this specialopinion piece. We say to Dennis, thanks for sharing, and thanks forthe inspiration. [email protected] Usually, they come sogradually that it takes a lifetime to recognize the changes timehas brought to the places you knew growing up. It's hard to imagineevery place you defined as home to change literally overnight.andchange drastically. But that's what's happened a couple of weeksago to my hometown and the good people who live there. HurricaneKatrina cut a wide swath across the geography and the lives ofresidents from Mobile, Alabama to New Orleans, Louisiana. If youplot the center point of those miles and miles of disaster – groundzero, if you will – you will find it near Gulfport, Mississippi.Although I left there only seven years ago to serve on the NCUABoard, I am a product of Gulfport.its gulf breezes, sandy beaches,warm humidity and even warmer hospitality helped shape me. I grewup there, played little league ball there, graduated high school,won my first political campaign, held public office, met andmarried a wonderful wife, bought our first home, proudly raised twogreat kids.well, you get the picture. No matter where I live,Gulfport will always be home. I return home every chance I get.Family and friends abound. But the physical Gulfport I knew is nomore. Concrete slabs are all that's left of homes I visited often.Four hundred year old oak trees under which Janie and I dated arenow uprooted and bare. Debris is piled so high that neither my highschool nor the church in which we were both baptized and marriedare even visible by car from the landmark barren roads I learned todrive upon.too fast a couple of times, but that's a story foranother day. There's no worry about speeding now. Too many trees,power lines, cables and, well, destruction on every street. Asinvolved in the community as Janie and I were, we knew the missingpersons column in the local paper couldn't possibly carry a listwithout a familiar name.or several. And that was certainly thecase. We considered ourselves blessed that all our family was safe.Homes and possessions can be replaced. The credit union branch infront of which I stood to be sworn in as a member of the NCUA Board– my credit union – was destroyed. But then so were the homes ofthe judge who swore me in and the supportive senator who stood bymy side through the nomination process. This storm did notdiscriminate. No home or business on the Mississippi Coast wentunscathed. The only question is which “D” best describes yourproperty category – damaged or destroyed. The emotional toll ofsuch loss joins the personal toll to challenge the best in humannature. If one lacked hope and faith, the despair evident in somany faces I've known for a lifetime would be too much to bear. Butthat's where the bright light in this story shines. Even though theGulfport I knew physically is no more, the Gulfport I knew as homeis still there. Home is always defined by the people more so thanever by the structure. The human nature of my hometown neighborshas indeed expressed itself at times in moments of frustration,disbelief, anxiety and grief. All very natural. But, yet, thespirit of the Coast that has always helped define home to me hasbeen in evidence much more than the human despair. It's calledcharacter. And the folks of the Coast have it. The spirit ofreaching out to touch lives is alive, well and, if my friends in astorm ravaged region will pardon the watery expression,overflowing. From those who pulled neighbors to safety during thestorm to those who are pulling neighbors even now into new clothes,a safe bed, a hot meal and – as Scripture mentions specifically asa sign of the simplicity of demonstrating mercy – a cup of coldwater, the spirit of “people helping people” has been on dailydisplay. Folks who themselves are hurting are sharing their homes,food and clothing with those around them likewise hurting. Again,it's called character. Yes, the spirit of the Mississippi Coast mayhave been temporarily damaged by their initial awareness of themagnitude of the task before them, but it has certainly not beendestroyed or even diminished. Rebuilding is beginning and itsfoundation is outreach to those who are hurting. As caring soulsacross the nation and around the world are pouring out theirdonations of much needed assistance to the impacted people inKatrina's tracks, it is clear that the greatest outreach is comingfrom the residents themselves. Reaching out to meet a neighbor'sneeds. Working together because of what they have been throughtogether. That's character. Without a doubt, there will indeed be arecovery on the Mississippi Coast and throughout the path ofKatrina. That recovery will be impossible without the incrediblesupport that is coming from the FEMAs, Red Crosses, SalvationArmies and NCUFs of the world. Compassion supporting character. ButI submit that the most essential ingredient in the recovery willcome from the hearts of a people who believe in each other, theircommunity, and, most importantly for the overwhelming majority, afaith in One whose storm calming strength does not end when thestorm does. As those in my home town awaken to each new day withchallenges unimaginable only a few days ago, they do so with arenewed compassion for each other and commitment in their hearts tobuild a better life for themselves, their families and theircommunities. When Katrina changed their lives, she did not changetheir character. She magnified it. To those who have reached out tosupport these incredible folks who are so committed to buildingback that special place we call home, our heartfelt thanks isextended to you for reaching out to us. As a credit union truebeliever, I am so proud that few industries have reached out morethan America's credit unions to the impacted folks along the Coast.Never have we better demonstrated that “people helping people” ismore than a slogan…it's a way of life and a part of our characteras a movement. Character supporting character. That's America atits finest.