The newly minted high school graduate was sucked out of the sunroof of his SUV while racing back home ahead of the tornado less than an hour after receiving his diploma. Norton had become the face of the missing in Joplin after his story spread across the nation. He shared that he was the one to break the news to the parents of 18-year-old Will Norton that their son’s body was found in a pond near where he was sucked out of his SUV. Pastor Brown observed that many people are in pain, having lost family members and friends to the monster storm. Barely any structures were able to withstand the tornado with 200-mph winds. Some have described the landscape of Joplin as looking like a bomb was dropped on it. began keeping comprehensive records of tornadoes over 60 years ago. The Joplin tornado is the deadliest single twister since the U.S. The death toll is at least 142 people, but the number is likely to rise. Anywhere from a quarter to a third of the southwestern Missouri city was destroyed. The Taylor Performing Arts Center on the campus of Missouri Southern State University was packed as local pastors and government leaders delivered heartfelt messages of comfort and called on residents to be resilient despite the enormous obstacles that lay ahead.Īn EF-5 tornado, the strongest type, ripped through the populated town of Joplin on May 22 at 5:41 p.m. “Heaven is real and this life is not the only life that we see. “Life wins,” declared the Methodist pastor who delivered the main message. “I think God is saying to those families right now, this is what I wanted you to see in the resurrection of Jesus that death doesn’t win ever. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Joplin. “To those families whose members have died, I think God is saying to you right now that death does not get the last word,” said the Rev. Joplin pastors, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, and President Barack Obama each took the stage without failing to each quote the Bible in their efforts to comfort the hurting tornado survivors and redirect their attention to the future. The citizens of Joplin should be very proud of this park and what it represents.The Joplin, Mo., memorial service Sunday served as a battle cry for residents who are determined to rebuild their city and believe that God loves Joplin. I remember seeing the pictures live on television on the day of the tornado and wondering how the city and its residents would ever heal. Looking out and seeing all the families enjoying being together shows the ability of humans to rebound from tragedy and be even stronger. There are many lovely places where you can sit and reflect in beautiful and peaceful surroundings. It could be helpful to any one grieving the loss of a loved one. In the Volunteer Tribute and Children's Memorial area, I had tears in my eyes as I read the "butterfly stories" of kids who survived. There are so many wonderful parts to the memorial. Broken mosaic symbolizes the broken lives of many survivors. A bronze hard hat, shovel and gloves recall the over 180,000 volunteers who came from all over to help. Exactly 161 trees were planted to honor each of the people who lost their lives. A three tiered fountain has spouts on each level-5 on one, 22 on another tier and 11 on the third-which commemorate the date. There was so much symbolism in the many areas of sculptures, gardens and tributes. An old-fashioned ice cream truck with its catchy tune pulled in next to me as children came running with money in hand for their treat.īesides the everyday fun the families were having, the park is also a touching and very moving tribute to the volunteers and people whose lives were lost or interrupted by the EF5 storm that stuck Joplin on May 22, 2011. When I first pulled into the parking lot I was struck by all the families enjoying the park-generations were enjoying picnicking while young children took advantage of all the fun play areas. This park was so much more than I imagined and it covered a large area.
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