Georges Calling
by
Terry Mooney
1998

Although not seriously affecting the Tampa bay area, Hurricane Georges
left many in Puerto Rico in need. It was here, though, that part of the
relief effort for these people came together.

I learned of this effort from a phone call from a friend, George Hannon.George owns Hannon Truck Refridgeration, a company providing mobile refridgeration trailers for rental to buisnesses as well as the general
public. He calls me from time to time to ride along on some of his more
interesting deliveries. He stressed to me at an earlier ride-along that he
always delivers his trailers to their destination and always picks them up,
never allowing the customer to do so. Understandable, as most of his
trailers are of the large, diesel powered type and require a big truck to
haul them. It would seem, however, that this trip was going to be different.

6 large diesel trailers, filled with pallets of bagged ice were needed. An
unusual request, but not as unusual as their destination. The trailers were
to go to assist in the relief effort for rebuilding the damaged island of
Puerto Rico, and remain there for at least 45 days.

George and I arrived at the airport early the morning of the first of
three days of flights. On the tarmac were his trailers and the vehicle to
be used to transport them, two at a time, to their destination. A Russian
owned giant. The biggest plane I have ever seen.

After preparations, the loading began. The trailers, filled with ice,
weighing 55,000 lbs. each were to backed up the front cargo ramp and loaded in (those of us who have had occasion to attempt to back even the smallest of trailers know that it can be tricky, and using only your mirrors it gets downright Kervorkian). George, watching his mirrors and navigating to directions being barked out by the Russian crew in their native tongue was successful each time. A task that I was proud to witness.

The trailers were secured and George and I departed, glancing again at the
plane that was to complete this delivery. One small part of the relief
picture and yet such a big task. An effort that, even only as a witness I
was proud to be part of. I can't wait for George's next call.