The disaster may seem miles away from America's heartland, but Kansas hearts are putting these southern cities back together.

Hundreds of men and women from the Kansas National Guard are in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Kansas troops in Alexandria, Louisiana set up communication from Camp Beauregard to Hammond, Louisiana.

There are more than 30,000 National Guard troops here in New Orleans and the Kansas National Guard plays an intricate part in coordinating the entire relief effort.

Kansas guardsmen and women are organizing rescue missions. In Bay of St. Louis, Mississippi the one-of-a-kind fully functional hospital from Kansas, called E-Meds, is in operation.

A few blocks from ground zero, set up next to what is now a shelter, Kansas guard troops have set up shop to provide communication for Bay of St. Louis officials.

Major General Tod Bunting says he's proud of his troops.

"I didn't think I could be any prouder of my troops, but today is a day that really brings it home."

And hurricane victims like Timmy Carver, who have lost house and home, welcome the help.

"You know we gotta lot of love in the U.S."