I remember reading this story not too long after Katrina. It really was a selfless thing for him to do, especially in his condition.
I was in Bogalusa (about 60 miles north of N.O.) working at the local hospital at the time. I remember at first the LA National Guard out of Hammond came in about 3 or 4 days after the storm, but were quickly replaced by a unit from the PA National Guard. They used the old YMCA gym there as their HQ, right across from the old NG Armory in Bogalusa.
Got to talk to several of the men and officers from PA, they seemed like good guys. We even had physicians and other allied health care givers drive in from North Carolina, Virginia and other states to help out. Lots of people just showed up to help.
It was truly an experience I won't ever forget.
LC