Katrina-scattered krewe welcomed

Hundreds of people in Chalmette braved the dreary weather to welcome home the Krewe of Gladiators -- and mark a modest new milestone in this region’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina.

The krewe paraded through the New Orleans suburb of St. Bernard Parish for the first time since Hurricane Katrina ruined many of the houses and businesses along its traditional route nearly 2 1/2 years ago.

This isn’t the same community or same krewe.

“It’s been a booger trying to get back,” krewe captain William Egan said several hours before the afternoon parade. “A lot of my members are still God knows where.”