The aftermath of the devastating storms that have swept across the South has just been heartbreaking to see. I've heard some people try and play it down as 'not as bad as Katrina'.
Being born and raised in Alabama, I just want to clarify things when it comes to natural disasters. A hurricane you know about well in advance. A tornado can happen at anytime and any place during severe weather. It really hits home when you are from one of the devastated areas and know people there. The stories that are pouring in are tragic. Hurricanes are bad, don't get me wrong. You can't hide from a tornado when you don't know when it's coming or where it's going or even when it's going to develop.
One thing that bothers me right now is the obsession with the Royal wedding. Long after the wedding is over, people in the south will still be devastated but I bet lots of people can tell you about the bride's gown. Don't get me wrong in any way when I say that I think it's a beautiful thing for two people to be in love and even more of a beautiful thing when you believe in the monarchy. Let us not forget the reasons we exist as The United States of America. We were founded on not just pilgrims seeking religious freedoms but also independence. Independence from being ruled by a monarchy. Our nation was founded on one of the main fundamental statements ever made historically. A statement that is part of our Constitution.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed;
Let's think about that. All men are created equal...endowed by their Creator...etc. America's independence was more than about religious freedom. It was about understanding as a nation, we wouldn't have to worry about the 'Divine Right of Kings'. As all men are created equal. Kings are not the hand of God.
With that being said, as an American I will not forget that all men are created equal. We can lose our homes, families and lives just as easily as the next person when there is a natural disaster. Let us not forget the tragic stories of victims with more to come.
The one victim that was pulled from the pile of wood that was her home and walked down the street only to be asked for help by a little boy. A little boy that asked her to sit with his brother and him. A little boy that didn't know his brother was laying there already dead. Let us not forget the couple that was traveling down the highway and saw a tornado develop only to turn around and try to get away. After turning around, another tornado formed in front of them and the wife got down as low as she could but her husband was driving and couldn't get out of the way. She had to pull a board out of his head and just hold him while he died waiting on help to come. These are true stories. Tragic stories.
But wait...let's gorge ourselves on over publicized 'royal wedding issues' that have not one thing to do with America.
Let us not forget only a few of the victims as not all are accounted for at this time.
Franklin County:
Donald Heaps, 57, Phil Campbell
Martha Pace, Phil Campbell
Edna Lucille Nix, Phil Campbell
Kelli Thorn Morgan, 24, East Franklin
Michael Morgan, 32, East Franklin
Claudia Mojica Palucios, Phil Campbell
Edgar Molica, 8, Phil Campbell
Ricky Knox, 10, Phil Campbell
Terri Waller, Phil Campbell
Carroll Dean “C.D.” Waller, Phil Campbell
Nila Black, 68, Phil Campbell
Zan Reese Black, 46, Phil Campbell
Sonya Black Trapp, 48, Phil Campbell
Charlene Crochet, Phil Campbell
Jay Leclere, Phil Campbell
Amy Leclere, Phil Campbell
James Robert Keller Jr., Phil Campbell
Don Gentry, Phil Campbell
Patricia Gentry, Phil Campbell
Donna Berry, Phil Campbell
Jack Cox, Phil Campbell
Georgia Scribner, 83, Phil Campbell
Lawrence County:
Donald Ray, 76, Chaleybeate
Lyndon Mayes, 74, Chaleybeate
Zora Lee Hale, 80, Chaleybeate
Aurelia Guzman, 12, Langtown
O'Neal Terry, Mt. Moriah
Allen Terry, Mt. Moriah
Matthew Adams, 21, Mount Hope
J.D. Parker, 70, Mount Hope
Horace Smith, Mount Hope
Helen Smith, Mount Hope
Edward Vuknic, Chaleybeate
Mary Mayes, 72, Chaleyvbeate
Mike Dunn, 58, Chaleybeate
Marion County:
Linda Faye Knight, 57, Phil Campbell
Rodney Ables, Hackleburg
Jeanette Widemon, Hamilton
Jacob Ray, Hamilton
