JOPLIN, Mo. —
A variety of events — ranging from a half-marathon to a presidential address at Joplin High School’s commencement — are being planned for the May 22 anniversary of the 2011 Joplin tornado. Here are a few that have been announced:
• The Joplin Memorial Run, which will consist of a half-marathon, five-kilometer run and kids’ run, is scheduled for Saturday, May 19.
The half-marathon starts at 6:30 a.m., the 5K starts at 6:40 a.m. and the kids’ run starts at 6:50 a.m. on Joplin Avenue between Seventh and Eighth streets next to the Memorial Hall parking lot. Those interested in participating may register at www.joplinmemorialrun.com. Deadline for online registration is May 16. The cost for the half-marathon is $60 and the cost for the 5K is $25. There is no fee for the kids’ run.
• An interfaith service that will focus on “Remembrance, Recovery and Responsibility” will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, at the Landreth Park amphitheater. The service will include readings, prayers, meditations and music from different faiths in the community. In the event of inclement weather, the service will be conducted at United Hebrew Congregation, 702 S. Sergeant Ave. Information: South Joplin Christian Church, 417-624-2522.
• The Joplin High School commencement is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, May 21, at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center at Missouri Southern State University. President Barack Obama and Gov. Jay Nixon will speak at the graduation ceremonies.
Each graduating senior will receive eight tickets. District officials have not yet determined how many seats will be available to the public. Taylor Auditorium is being reserved for overflow room, where residents will be able to watch a live feed.
• The city of Joplin is putting on a 3.7-mile Walk of Unity through the path of the tornado on the anniversary of the storm. The walk will begin at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, at the 15th Street Wal-Mart parking lot and head west toward Cunningham Park.
Stops along the route include 22nd Street and Indiana Avenue, where participants may watch as a new steeple is placed on the new Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
They will also stop at the high school across the street for a ceremonial groundbreaking. Another stop will be at the former site of Irving Elementary on West 26th Street for children’s activities.
A ceremony will start at 5:15 p.m. at Cunningham Park and a moment of silence is planned at 5:41 p.m. at the park. The last of 161 trees will be planted in the park in memory of those who died in the storm.
• School district officials have not ironed out details, but are planning a ceremony where Mercy Health System will present the deed for the new Irving Elementary site on the morning of May 22. A ceremonial groundbreaking will be held in the late morning or early afternoon at the East Middle School campus. The high school groundbreaking will be held in the afternoon as part of the Walk of Unity.
May 2011 Joplin tornado
Joplin preparing to mark May 22 storm anniversary
- May 2011 Joplin tornado
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Illinois youth group arrives in Joplin to assemble house
Break time was approaching, but Keith Duncan wanted to make one last concentrated push in order to get the large Penske truck unloaded. “Two minutes, people! Two minutes!” he yelled as the students and adults hauling large wooden sections out of the truck began picking up the pace.
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SLIDESHOW: One year later, One day of unity, updated
Photos from a day of events commemorating the May 22, 2011 tornado anniversary
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Last of 586 FEMA trailers in Joplin to be prepared for move
For 19 months, rows of nearly 600 units spread out among community and commercial sites were a visual reminder of the homes lost in Joplin on May 22, 2011. One by one, contractors began disassembling and moving the trailers, a testament to their occupants having found places to live.
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Civil engineers release study of Joplin tornado damage
It did not take much wind to flatten houses in the Joplin tornado zone because so many were poorly constructed to withstand wind, according to a study released recently by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Rescuers, tornado victims reunite at Quapaw station
There were lots of hugs exchanged, pictures taken and memories summoned when fire crews on Friday met the two youngsters they pulled, critically injured, from the wreckage of Joplin’s 2011 tornado.
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Quapaw tribe’s firefighters, EMS personnel meet with children rescued at Home Depot in 2011
There were hugs, stories and the occasional tear this morning when two children who were trapped and seriously injured after the 2011 Joplin tornado met for the first time the Quapaw Tribe firefighters and emergency medical workers who pulled them from the wreckage and saved their lives that night.
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New members take seats on redevelopment board
Three new members took their places on the board of the Joplin Redevelopment Corp. in a meeting Thursday. The panel welcomed as new members Laurie Delano, vice president of finance for Empire District Electric Co.; Gary Duncan, retired president and chief executive of Freeman Health System; and Phil Stinnett, a former Joplin council member and mayor.
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Tornado grant trustees look to shelter placement
Trustees overseeing a Joplin tornado fund hope to use some of their remaining money to move FEMA-financed tornado shelters to areas where they are needed.
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Documentary about Joplin Globe coverage of tornado wins 2013 Mirror Award
The documentary “Deadline in Disaster” has won a 2013 Mirror Award in the “Best Single Story” category.
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Oklahoma photo collection to begin with ‘Picture Patrol’
A new national photo rescue operation based in Carthage that formed to help salvage and return to owners what was lost in the Joplin tornado has reached out to Moore, Okla., and next week will help storm victims there get down to business.
- More May 2011 Joplin tornado Headlines
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