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January 21st, 2010
06:23 PM ET
Big Kenny reflects further on Haiti
 testing captions Country star "Big Kenny" Alphin is not just blogging from Haiti, he is helping. “I don’t want to leave one stone unturned,” he said. “Not one.” The singer is desperately seeking his friend Walt Ratterman who was at the now collapsed Hotel Montana in Port-au-Prince during the earthquake in Haiti. Big Kenny says Ratterman’s wife is convinced he is still alive and he wants do whatever he has to in order to find his friend.
He is also looking, he said, for Diane Caves, 31, who works for the Centers for Disease Control. Big Kenny said he received a request from former Tennessee senator Bill Frist regarding Caves, who was from Oak Ridge, Tennessee. “They said she’s the last unaccounted-for government employee in Haiti,” said Big Kenny, who added that Frist, who is also in Haiti, has treated more than 30 patients. The country star crossed into Haiti from the Dominican Republic on Wednesday with a group of doctors to help lend a hand. Several of the doctors are anesthesiologists, Big Kenny said, whose services are much in demand for the many victims who require surgery. “There are lots of people who need amputations here,” Big Kenny said quietly. “Gangrene has set in for some of these folks and it’s not pretty.” He said he’s been overwhelmed by what he has witnessed in the devastated country. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Big Kenny said. “Floors and floors of buildings just pancaked. We had a 15-year-old boy come up to us who said he was searching for food and water for his family.” He said he’s met so many people who are working tirelessly to help, such as Dr. Mark Pinnard, a Haitian-born doctor who was educated in the United States and who returned to his country to open a clinic. Big Kenny said he was awed by how the world has pulled together to help the tiny nation. The people of Haiti have consistently expressed to him how grateful they are, he said, even as they remain fearful about continued aftershocks. As he made his way down a crowded Haitian street, he looked out of the car window and reflected on what he saw. “There are so many collapsed buildings and then every once in awhile you see one damaged, but still standing,” he said. “There are people walking by, just trying to go about their lives as best they can.”
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I agree with Marty!
Raveon for the Nelsons.
Ozzie Nelson married Freddo Pugatch's son Kenneth.
I am honored my students think of me as Mr. Kotter.
We all miss Ozzie Nelson and love him forever and one day.
Kids let us remember that we are Unis Plurim and wholely one!
Dad Clausss os a chucklehead.
Rock On Rick Cassidy!
Jeff Marmon would be a wonderful Mr. Kotter!
We could bring back Jeff Marmon as Mr. Kotter.
Let us put on a play!
We need a mission to Haiti and now!
I am proud of U kids.
I will take the trip with you Bart.
Thank you Barton Wolgin.
We need a Crusade to fix Haiti and the problems pertinent to same.
With you hlp i want to lead the Crusade.
Well said Connie.
The Rochet mission will help put Food on alot of Plates.
The Charles Rochet mission will bring help soon.
Aid is on way!
let us keep our Comportment proper.
We will send aid when i am below ground.
We need to send Aid to Haiti.
Haiti will comeback Bigtime.
Haiti is the Last best Hope for Mankind!
Keep Focused and remember the rest of the best.
Stay the course Kenny!
Boyd Barnard
Kenny stay focused and never give up.
Dad Clauss
think Big and remember Dad loves you.
Dad Clauss
Don't stop believing, Kenny and keep your faith alive and in God throughout your journey. Open your heart and mind and prepare to grow even more as a human being who loves and cares. God Bless you and all of those around you.
Thank you Big Kenny. You are an amazing man. Stay safe and I hope you find your friends.
this is beyond encouraging. are prayers are with you and your friend. reading the other comments from your previous post...for those who do not know about Big Kenny's music. His new solo cd..'less than whole' such a beautiful song for these times..amoung others. thank you kenny. you are a rare one who walks the walk! God Bless you