---

(Editor's note: Ms. Perkins is a case manager for Catholic Charities' Disaster Response and Recovery Office in the Albany Diocese. The DRRO handles long-term recovery from disasters, coordinating with community organizations and volunteers. To reach the office, call 518-453-6650.)

It's garbage day on Hess Avenue in Ilion. Lloyd Gallup is dragging in his recycling bin. He will then walk down the street, picking up each of his neighbors' recycling bins and bringing them in from the curb.

He does this every Wednesday. That's just the type of neighbor you'll find in this town.

Lloyd was born in Ilion on Nov. 8, 1920, right after Warren G. Harding won the presidential election and women earned the right to vote. Lloyd's father worked on the Erie Canal; his mother passed away when he was nine.

Lloyd graduated from Herkimer High School in 1941 and got a job at a firearms manufacturer in Utica. He met his sweetheart, Frankfort native Catherine "Katie" Acquaviva, who worked with her family at the Elite Restaurant they owned.

Katie would live with her parents and keep working at the Elite during the three years Lloyd was stationed in Panama during World War II.

In 1942, three years after Germany's occupation of Poland, Lloyd was drafted. The federal government allowed draftees two weeks to get their personal affairs in order. Lloyd took the opportunity to marry Katie before heading off to war.

Lloyd was originally scheduled to travel by boat to Germany. His assignment changed, and he was instead ordered to remain in Panama. Because of his employment history, Lloyd had familiarity with machine guns and ammunition, so he was assigned to teach other soldiers how to use their guns. He remembers that they had to be able to disassemble and reassemble them in the dark, flawlessly.

Lloyd remained stationed in Panama for several years. On May 7, 1945, he received a furlough and was sent home for what was supposed to be a short reprieve. The following day, victory was declared in Europe. Katie was elated.

On a recent day, Lloyd spoke lovingly of his wife while pointing out pictures around his living room and in his wallet: "There behind you is on our 25th anniversary." "Her hair is longer in this one. That's the picture I carried with me throughout the whole war."

In the wallet-sized photo, Katie looks like Bette Davis, with porcelain skin and dark brown hair just above her shoulders.

Lloyd pulls out a photo of a Jack Russell Terrier: "This is Buddy."

Buddy had to be put down last November after keeping Lloyd company for 17 years. Talking about Katie and Buddy, Lloyd wipes away tears.

Katie's been gone now since 1988. She was taken by cancer. Lloyd is in relatively perfect health, especially for his age. His doctor doesn't know what he's doing, but says, "Whatever it is, keep on doing it!"

Lloyd adds: "I guess God's just not ready for me yet. He must have something else for me to do."

Lloyd's life is full. He has remained in his home for 67 years. He states with pride that he is fine; he has everything he needs -- though he would like to get his home's foundation fixed, if possible.

I think to myself, "We can do better. We can surely take care of this man's crumbling foundation."

Flooding in 2013 hit Ilion very hard. After 95 years in Herkimer County, Lloyd said he's never seen flooding and damage of this magnitude. Many people lost their homes; many more had severe damage.

It's hard to believe that, coming up on the three-year anniversary of the flooding, homes in Ilion still need repair, but they do. A good many residents have still not even found out if they will be receiving a buyout from the town. Life is in limbo for these people.

The problem is, it has been three years. The flood is old news to most. The community is on to the next disaster, the next issue, the next problem.

But the flood victims remain. And my office is here to help them -- to do what we can, until every need is met.[[In-content Ad]]

---