Haunting Memory

[azskyman]

Finally I was able to watch TWC's Storm Stories about the tornado that Kathy and I lived through in Belvidere, Illinois, back in 1967. It has been on a number of times, but I was never around to see it.

The story brought back a whole lot of emotion of that day, even sounds and smells and the feel of hail pelting me as I huddled behind a tiny tree. I even remember the clothes I was wearing.

Most vivid this time though was the story of young 12-year-old Kent Ferguson who was killed that day. Not until I saw this show did I realize that his brother survived the storm by following Kent's instructions to stay on the bus...while he himself was killed running back to the school.

I called my father this morning (today). He and a local dentist were asked by police that day to see if they could identify any of the victims as they lay in a darkened gymnasium with water rushing through the roof.

"Why," I asked him this morning, "did you bring home Kent's wallet and books and belongings to our house late that evening?

We hadn't seen my father all day, but he arrived about midnight as we were sitting in our candlelit house and awaiting word on his own status. He was a school bus driver...and we did not know where he was.

In his hands when he came through the door were Kent Ferguson's belongings. I remember looking at the family photo in his wallet and trying to understand why this young boy was killed just hours before."

"You know Steve, I don't remember exactly why I brought that home. All of the bodies on the floor of that gymnasium were almost unidentifiable...covered in mud and asphalt oil from the power of the storm. I think I just remember that his belongings were there beside one of the bodies, but I didn't want anyone to take them. I wanted to be sure his parents would get it the next day (which they did).

I had always known about that small brown bag of belongings, and who they belonged to. But I never knew until that show that Kent had saved his brother, that the next day was his birthday, and that his mom did not get notified of his death until some 4 hours after my dad arrived home with the news.

Those of you who have experienced the terror of such a storm...and witnessed the death and injury it can inflict, will, like me, never forget the tiniest of details of those moments.

Things like the brown leather wallet that Kent made in shop class and the stack of books with an "A" paper sticking out.

[Amanzi]

Steve, I can only imagine the anguish it must have been for you and your family to go thorough such a nightmare... not knowing where your father was, must have been very difficult.

It is strange how the memory of an event can become so vivid that the senses seem to experience the event again.

Im sure young Kent's family were greatful to your father for having kept his few personal items.

I saw the same program and it was devestating to see the destruction! It must have been difficult for you to watch that program... your story is so beautifully written, and just goes to show the kindness and love for humanity you have in your heart!

[GulfBreezer]

Steve,

Your words and ability to convey your feelings are always so heartfelt! I can only imagine the feelings that show stirred up in you! Your father souns like a wonderful man with a big heart! Now I know where you get it from!

[JetMaxx]

I know exactly what you mean Steve....nearly three decades later, I still remember minute details of the tornado that destroyed our home in 1974.

Pieces of roofing that had pierced and lodged in our chain link fence....the hole in a car windshield next door where my pet rabbit was found dead in the back seat....Becky's bike hanging from a tree limb 50 feet up in the air, over 100 yards below our destroyed back fence.

I also remember the sounds...the deafening roar punctuated by the wrenching sounds of our home coming apart in the dark...sounds of crashing, glass exploding...my mom and sister's screams...

Nothing is more sobering than the stunned look on a family's face the morning after a nighttime tornado...my dad's face white as a ghost, my shaking so hard she could barely stand...it was a horror beyond description; and we were lucky. No one died in that tornado, and only a dozen injured (several broken limbs, one girl suffered a broken back when her mobile home was destroyed).

I know a great deal about the 1967 F4 Belvidere tornado Steve. At that time, my uncle Gene and his family lived in Dekalb, Illinois. My uncle said a few years ago that storm was the most ominous looking cloud he'd ever seen (and he's 81).

[Lindaloo]

Thanks for sharing that heartfelt story Steve. Your Dad is an angel in disguise.

I saw that on storm stories and was horrified.

Perry, I remember those storms of 1974. I was in a Catholic elementary school when they issued a tornado watch for my area. School was dismissed early. When I got home I got every toy I had and put them underneath my bed and got there myself. Then my Mom took us to the grocery store thinking she could beat the storm. But we were caught there and had to seek shelter in a back room. I remember it being very cold back there and I still see the image of my Mothers frightened face. There was no touchdown here, thank goodness, but it was scary all the same.

[weatherlover427]

Some very powerful words there Steve. I feel like I was there in spirit (even though I was not born until 1982) just reading your post. Good job writing it.

[coriolis]

Stories like that are humbling. Steve, I am glad that you and your family made it through.

[streetsoldier]

I had a somewhat similar incident to share with you...I was working as a janitor in a hosp[ital when a storm came through...before my shift was over at 3:00 pm, the administration asked for volunteers for a makeshift triage, and I remained behind to help as I could.

Over 150 people were admitted for various lacerations, bruises, etc., but the NWS was hesitant about calling it a tornado. One girl, 17 years old, was killed by a stop sign while she was walking to her brother's school to get him...her belongings, an umbrella and her shoes, were placed in the housekeeping office.

I was the only "houseman" on duty that weekend, two days later, and it fell upon me to return these items to her mother, who quietly thanked me and left clutching them, in tears.

This was in April, 1969, Florissant, MO...my first encounter with disaster relief, but not my last.

[Stephanie]

The stories you've all told are very frightening indeed. I could feel and see the damage and destruction you described.

Steve - you were hiding behind a tree? :o

[azskyman]

Stephanie...I started heading up the hill toward the high school. I was less than a block away when a second pounding hailstorm and windstorm hit. It hurt so bad that I hid behind a small tree...just a few inches in diameter, until the hail stopped pelting me. I knew better than taking shelter by a big tree...so the little one was the best I could find. Besides, many of the big ones were blown away!

[Miss Mary]

Steve - such a harrowing tale you've told. And told us so well - firsthand account. I'm so glad you and your family were spared also. I didn't quite realize the extent of your brush with death or this tornado, before now. And I can see where you get your ethics, code of honor (don't laugh, you've shown us that tenfold), etc. - you obviously get that from your Dad.

Young Kent being taken was sad to read about. I always feel so sad for young ones too or a young mother snatched away while her children were babies. Stories like that just wrench your heart.

I would absolutely do what your Dad did - take Kent's belongings, to be properly given to his parents. When I hear of looting after severe wx I just want to hop in my car and protect the victims' belongings. Not take them. I know you'd do the same, in a heartbeat.

Thanks for sharing your story Steve.

[Stephanie]

I didn't know the extent of your experience with that tornado either Steve! Your father did do a wonderful thing - I would've done the same thing.

[azskyman]

You may not know then that Kathy was pelted so badly by gravel and glass that it took several weeks to get it all out of her head, neck, and hands. You did know that she was lifted into the throat of that F4 tornado didn't you? The car she was in took a direct hit and was lifted upward two times while the windows all blew out.

[Miss Mary]

Steve - wow. Here's a thought. I feel like I already know Kathy so like Chad did, how about asking her to come aboard here? She could give her firsthand account too.

So glad you both made it out alive though. And could live to tell the tales. Whew, a little too close for comfort though.

[azskyman]

My beautiful better half has been invited to Storm2k and weather.com before...but to no avail. She checks her e-mail about every two weeks (and usually has a hundred or two waiting for her). She'd be lucky to have 24 posts in 12 months. Her own best friends write to me to get to tell her things they want her to know.

Feel free to drop her a note to say hello...kasinaz@aol.com, for she enjoys real letters from real people, but I would not place bets on a longstanding commitment.

But how lucky I am to have her as a partner and best friend!

skyman

[Miss Mary]

Steve - I just might do that!!!! Hello from this Cincinnati woman who writes to her husband!!! Seriously, it would be nice to have Kathy join us. And Chad would be happy - one more new member!

And now you're thinking, sure you'll write to her Mary. Just like you're going to send those vacation photos.....both will happen, promise! I'm just not good at sending documents.