On May 24 my daughter felt the strong need to leave her home in a small community near Durango, Colo., to return to her hometown of Joplin after the EF-5 tornado struck Joplin on May 22, destroying a large part of our town.
When Jessica and my granddaughter left, my daughter wrote “Joplin, Mo.” on the rear window of her vehicle. Durango to Joplin is about 980 miles. That’s far enough that they spent the night at Tucumcari, N.M.
When she stopped at the motel, a man approached her and asked if she was from Joplin. She told him it was her hometown and she was going there to help. They parted their ways and Jessica went to her room. A short time later, the front office called her and told her she had a package. The front desk brought the package to her room. Upon opening the package, she found a note saying “call me so I know you received this.” In the package was check for $200 for her travel to Joplin. Jessica called the number and found out it was the man she had met. The man’s name is Jeremy R. Sanchez. He is a firefighter in the town of Monrovia, Calif.
Jeremy was on his way home from a trip somewhere east of Joplin. Since he was so close to Joplin, he took a detour through the town to see just how badly Joplin was damaged. Jeremy was so moved by the destruction, that he felt the need to help. Some interesting facts for me: his name is Jeremy, the same as my son. He is a firefighter and I am a retired battalion fire chief.
While Jessica was talking to Jeremy, he told her he was going to see if his firefighter association would make a sizable donation to the firefighters in Joplin for relief.
He also talked to neighboring fire departments in his area for their support. The total donations added up to $3,200.
I wanted to make the public aware of this selfless donation.
Steve Lea is a former Joplin Fire Department battalion chief. He presented the checks to Joplin fire Capt. Kevin Theilen.
Tornado: Columns
Steve Lea, guest columnist: Message on window speaks volumes
- Tornado: Columns
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Susan Redden: McCaskill praises Joplin cooperation
At least two things she saw in Joplin need to be replicated in Washington, U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill said during a visit last week.
A strong spirit of cooperation is driving Joplin’s rebuilding, she said. And, the senator said there is a realization “that federal programs have a place.” -
Mark Rohr, guest columnist: Miracle of the human spirit ever-pervasive since tornado
Monday marks 100 days since the worst tornado in our country in the past 70 years tore through our community, leaving lost lives and destroyed property in its wake. As I have said before, that fateful day in late May will be the defining moment in all of our lives whether we want it to be or not.
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Ron Richard, guest columnist: Partnership can spur recovery
The tornado that ravaged Joplin and the flooding affecting Missouri River towns and businesses are both human and economic tragedies.
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Wally Kennedy: Flocks expected for Chick-fil-A opening
The stocking of the Chick-fil-A restaurant at 2127 S. Range Line Road is under way in preparation for a grand reopening on Thursday. The restaurant was among 25 or so eateries on Main Street and Range Line Road that were destroyed by the May 22 tornado.
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Susan Redden: State officials argue about disaster money
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is under fire from two different fronts, both relating to plans for a special legislative session in which the Joplin tornado and its economic impact will most certainly be a topic.
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Wally Kennedy: Walgreen’s to reopen both stores Monday
Monday will be a big day for two of the three stores that Walgreen’s operates in Joplin. The Walgreen’s at 20th and Main streets sustained significant damage on May 22. It was at the north edge of the tornado’s damage zone. It has had a major makeover.
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Roger Nomer: Image a ‘revelation’ for photographer
The sky looked dark, but nothing more unusual than a typical springtime storm.
I was on duty May 22 at the Globe, and had just finished taking photos of Joplin High School’s graduation when the storm sirens started to sound at Missouri Southern State University. -
Jo Ellis: Small deeds will make a big impact
A big, big thanks to all who have called, emailed or written to me saying they want to participate in Nature-Joplin (Nurture a Tree-Urban Reforestation Effort-Joplin) to help Joplin recover from the May 22 tornado that scoured the landscape.
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Andra Bryan Stefanoni: Safe room will always be reminder of May 22
The afternoon of May 22, I emailed a story to my editor from my home office just before the tornado sirens sounded in Pittsburg.
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Sarah Sticklen: Lessons learned: Remain faithful, move forward
As I walked into Missouri Southern’s Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on May 22 for my high school graduation, all I could think was: “I cannot wait until this is all over. Then, I can finally relax.”
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