US Navy Video Footage - Relief Delivery in Japan

USS Rondald Reagan in a 2008 photo

As the world watches the tense situation concerning the nuclear plant in Fukushima, the task of getting things into hard hit areas for survivors continues. Last night reports out of Japan were saying that the 50 brave souls - dubbed the "faceless 50" - who were working to contain the threat, were pulled out due to high radiation levels. This morning, I heard a report those levels had gone down enough for them to go back.  Concerns have caused somewhat of an exodus even from Tokyo.

People stuck in the red zone, who may be trapped yet, face not only the bitter cold and a snow storm, but the threat of radiation exposure. Those who could not evacuate were told to stay indoors. Yet, if there is no running water, no food, no heat - how can they not go outdoors?  Personal stories of survival and death are emerging. The task of identifying the dead, very difficult.

I am in awe watching video footage of the calm demeanor among the Japanese people in the face of grief over lost loved ones, the loss of homes, and the horror of what they likely witnessed. Photos of stores, with the front enclosure missing, are untouched by looters who so often scramble to empty them at such times, if not for survival, then for opportunity to make a buck. No such thing in Japan. We are witnessing a stoic people, standing in long lines for mere basics, patiently. In contrast to the chaos we so often see during such devastation, politeness and integrity for most seems unconditional even during circumstances where panic and survival instinct would otherwise cause the to be cast aside. They offer all of us much to reflect on and how we would act.

Here is video footage by the US Navy taken during one delivery mission.

Our Lady of Akita, intercede for these people.

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Second Explosion at crippled Japanese Nuclear plant...

Frame frozen from video of a second explosion at the Fukushima plant in Japan

I have found a pretty good news service called "Russia Today", which features broadcasts on YouTube.... in English. They seem to be uploading video news ahead of some of the cable news networks, who probably want to have it on air first. Here is the update from overnight in Japan.

EDIT: Here are more videos just uploaded...

From Associated Press

SOMA, Japan – The second hydrogen explosion in three days rocked a stricken Japanese nuclear plant Monday, sending a massive cloud of smoke into the air and injuring 11 workers. Hours later, the U.S. said it had shifted its offshore forces away from the plant after detecting low levels of radiation.

The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan was about 100 miles (160 kilometers) offshore when it detected the radiation, which U.S. officials said was about the same as one month's normal exposure to natural background radiation in the environment.

[snip]

More than 180,000 people have evacuated the area in recent days, and up to 160 may have been exposed to radiation — pouring misery onto those already devastated by the twin disasters.

While Japan has aggressively prepared for years for major earthquakes, reinforcing buildings and running drills, the impact of the tsunami — which came so quickly that not many people managed to flee to higher ground — was immense.

By Monday, officials were clearly overwhelmed by the scale of the crisis, with millions of people having spent three nights without electricity, water, food or heat in near-freezing temperatures.

Officials in one devastated town said they were running out of body bags.

Another report says there is a 70% chance of a magnitude 7 or higher aftershock in the coming days, which poses even greater risks for the nuclear plant situation and ongoing survival crisis said to be the worst Japan has experienced since the end of World War II.

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Containment Building at Japanese Nuclear Plant Explodes - Please Pray

AP Photo/NHK TV

Watching the images on cable news just leaves me in awe of nature, and humbled before the words of Our Lord, that we know not the hour of our death.  More video and pictures are coming out of Japan that is just breathtaking.  I have embedded several in this post.

This ought to move us all to provide support in the form of donations and prayer. The Archdiocese of Detroit has set up a page where you can donate (will go to Catholic Relief Service). There are so many threats still facing these people. Please consider visiting an Adoration chapel, praying a Rosary, offering Mass intentions that the ongoing threats against life abate, most especially those concerning the nuclear plants.  As we approach the Feast of St. Joseph, consider joining in the Novena and offering intentions for the people of Japan. Reader John-Paul sent a link to his Novena site.

It's not enough that they are dealing with a damaging, 8.9 magnitude earthquake. A tsunami in the aftermath wiped out some 1000 miles. One town of 9500 people is missing; several trains, one of them a high-speed "bullet train" capable of holding several hundred is gone. A ship is missing. Countless cars, houses, buildings and boats are seen being carried away at very high speeds by water.

It's still not enough. Two nuclear plants were affected. Japanese were working to cool off a nuclear reactor after shutting it down and the containment building just exploded, now increasing the threat of a meltdown (think Chernobyl). Some in the area are already experiencing radiation sickness. Authorities are handing out iodine to help with radiation exposure (should help prevent thyroid cancer down the road). There are conflicting "expert opinions" as to the current situation and the potential dangers. Here is a video report:

The worst is probably yet to come. In addition to radiation concerns for years or generations to come, some are stranded, without fresh water. It's cold in Japan yet, still dipping down into freezing temperatures at night and reaching about 45-55F. There is no power. Some will die of dehydration, others from waterborne illness, others from lack of medical attention or needed medications.

Dozens of coastal cities around the world braced for tsunami's and while there was damage as seen in Crescent City, California (2nd video below). I've wondered about other countries as well.

Please pray for all affected. 

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The cries of Haiti.....

(AFP)

I saw my first video images coming out of Haiti when I got home last night just before 7:00pm.  As with many of you, I have seen many images of earthquakes before.  However, I have never seen devastation like this.  I literally sat and cried with pity for the extensive suffering there right now - suffering that will go on for a very long time.  Some are suffering because they are injured, or because they have lost loved ones and friends.  However, there couuld be countless people trapped alive beneath that rubble who will never see the light of day again.  We have seen cases of people pulled out of such rubble after 10 days, barely alive.  Over the next two weeks, pray especially for those who are living and dying a very slow death in these conditions.  As some of them are pulled out, there is no helicopter waiting to take them to a nearby hospital - that too collapsed, taking with it skilled health care workers.  There is also word that an orphanage collapsed, along with a nursing home. 

Remember, this is an island.  There is no backroad into town.  There is no way to get a specially trained team to swoop in with survivor-scenting dogs, or delicate listening devices, robots and the like.  Nations who want to help in this way are hampered by a lack of infrasture.  It was difficult to move around Haiti before this earthquake, and now it is even worse.   Our countries, no matter how much they want to help, can't even get basic things like water or fuel in there in order to move things. 

Earthquakes do not discriminate.  Among the dead is the Archbishop of Haiti and other priests.  Along with the dead in the poorest of slums, are many diplomats from foreign countries. 

The Archdiocese of Detroit has a page set up for the Haiti earthquake relief effort.  Catholic Relief Services is already on the ground there in the stricken country.  You can send money through a provision they have on the web, or by check. 

Related:

• Papal Appeal Following Earthquake in Haiti
• Statement of Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron

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Haiti Earthquake.....

How can you not be moved to prayer with images like these coming out of Haiti.  Please pray for the repose of those who have died, for those who will die, and for people who will suffer for a long time to come in so many ways.

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Continue to pray for victims, and survivors of Australian wildfires

The wildfires in Australia have left a path of destruction, death, and suffering. People have died in their cars, and in their homes. As you can imagine, wildlife has also been affected. The photo below has been widely circulated on the internet (click the pic for the background story).

In some quarters, there is more compassion for wildlife, than there is for people - in particular the unborn. However, being pro-life, and having a primary focus on humans suffering amidst such disasters does not mean we cannot have pity on God's creatures, also suffering needlessly, given that these fires were deliberately set.

Pray for an end to these fires, for the repose of the souls of those who have been lost, and for the survivors who are left without their loved ones, and their homes.

From the AP:

WHITTLESEA, Australia – Australians mourning the lives lost in horrific wildfires last week sought comfort at churches Sunday even as firefighters continued to battle a dozen blazes still burning in the state.

Fire engines raced past the small, 140-year-old Christ Church in Whittlesea while the Archbishop of Melbourne was leading a service, their sirens briefly drowning out a song.

More than 180 people were killed and 1,800 homes destroyed when some 400 blazes — some thought to have been deliberately set — tore across Victoria state on Feb. 7 in Australia's worst-ever wildfire disaster.

Across the 1,500-square mile (3,900-square kilometer) fire zone, residents and friends gathered at church services to pray for the dead. The scene was repeated at churches across the country.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd attended a service in the town of Wandong, where he joined residents in placing leaves and flowers into a bowl of water in a symbol of remembrance and rebuilding.

...continue reading Australian churchgoers mourn wildfire victims


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Hurrican Ike - Hundreds Dead in Cuba, Haiti, as it heads to US

Please pray for the victims of Hurrican Ike. Much suffering is taking place in Haiti, Cuba and surrounding islands.

I just saw this same video on Fox News. The footage shows you the power of a hurricane as waves hitting the coast splash as high as buildings, with residents looking on. If you want to see what can happen with storm surge, here you go.

Please pray for these people and for anyone else in the path of Ike.



Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.


Related: Ike slams Cuba, Haiti death toll passes 600

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