Three NASCAR drivers were shocked by the extent of the damage in the Gulf Coast when they flew down for a visit Thursday. The drivers know theyve got a lot of fans on the coast and the trip was a chance for them to tell the people down there that they had fans too. The flight went to Waveland, Mississippi, Katrinas ground zero. The mission was to swap out Charlotte SWAT team members protecting Carolina Medical Centers (CMC) mobile hospital, MED-1. At MED-1 there was a surprise, drivers Casey Mears, David Stremme and Kevin Hamlin. For the drivers it was a first look at the devastation. (We wanted) To show our support for the Carolinas medical team, said Hamlin. In five weeks, MED-1 has treated over 5,000 patients. They give you all the time in the world, said patient Wayne Lander. Down there, every new turn reveals damage. Its crazy, said Mears. Theres nothing here.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think Id be able to see something like this, see how its affecting people, said Hamlin. Its something I never want to have to experience. Thursday life in the fast land slowed. Whether youve lost everything, are working around the clock, give help or are sick, like patients at MED-1, it helps knowing someone is rooting for you. Its nice to at least put a smile on somebodys face, said Mears. MED-1 is scheduled to return to the Queen City at the end of October. It has been deployed in the Gulf Coast since early September.(wcnc.com)(9-30-2005)
