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Some Missouri guardsmen are upset with their Louisiana assignments.

September 7, 2005
By: Dustin Blanchard
State Capital Bureau

Some Missouri National Guard are starting to voice complaints about their assignments in Lousiana. Dustin Blanchard, embedded with the guard, has the story.

Guardsmen are helping police in Jefferson Parish. They're patrolling streets, securing areas, and directing traffic.

But some guardsmen are upset. They feel their missions don't do enough to help Katrina's victims.

One guardsman says he feels like a "glorified traffic light."

But Major John Benson says the missions are neccesary -- so humanitarian work can continue.

Actuality:
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents: "With the rescue efforts, a lot of these humanitarian organizations have concerns about security in this area. Some of them have been shot at in other municipalities and parishes. And once the security aspect has settled down then the civilian organizations can be more capable of getting out in the neighborhood."

The guard has engaged in some direct relief efforts.

They stopped a suspected looter . . .and Tuesday night they rescued a Louisiana guardsman who had been stranded on a levy for five days.

Embedded with the Missouri National Guard near New Orleans, I'm Dustin Blanchard.