More Goodwill

I thought of titling this post Ain't too Proud to Beg, but while I think we might all agree it's ironic that the United States is receiving aid from Mexico the fact is that survivors can use all the help they can get--and it's certainly appreciated:

A Mexican army convoy of nearly 200 people crossed the border into the United States on Thursday to bring aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina, becoming the first Mexican military unit to operate on U.S. soil since 1846.

Mexico's first disaster aid mission to the United States was greeted at the border by dignitaries from both countries.

The unarmed soldiers, physicians, nurses and dentists aboard the convoy wore green uniforms with yellow armbands that said "Humanitarian Aid" in Spanish.

Daniel Hernandez Joseph, the Mexican consul in Laredo, said the cooperation was understandable since the United States has helped Mexico following natural disasters, including the Mexico City's earthquake in 1985.

"We know what it is like to be on the other side of this, because of that we are saying thank you by responding in kind," he said.

The convoy includes two mobile kitchens that can feed 7,000 people a day, three flatbed trucks carrying mobile water treatment plants and 15 trailers of bottled water, blankets and applesauce.

The Mexican government already was planning another 12-vehicle aid convoy for this week. It has sent a Mexican navy ship toward the Mississippi coast with rescue vehicles and helicopters.

Aside: a good friend of mine survived the '85 quake--he'd just arrived in Mexico City from El Salvador...

Anyway, it'd be nice if this gesture of goodwill makes us more appreciative of those who live on the other side of our southern border...to be honest, I don't hold out TOO much hope for that--particularly in light of reports like the one I linked to below--but you never know.

Gracias, Mexicanos.