President Obama visits tornado-ravaged Joplin, Missouri; speaks to survivors at memorial service
President Obama toured Missouri's tornado devastation Sunday, lauding the heroes of the storm and assuring dazed survivors that America stood with them."This is not just your tragedy. This is a national tragedy," Obama said.
Obama, who spent last week on a state visit to Europe, came to console Joplin, Mo., where a roaring mile-wide twister ripped up trees, exploded houses and killed at least 139 people a week before.
"The cameras may leave, the spotlight may shift, but we will be with you every step of the way," he told a memorial service, which broke into thunderous applause.
Obama said world leaders in Europe told him they were moved by the Joplin tragedy and the selfless response of those who dropped everything to help their neighbors.
He told the story of Pizza Hut manager Christopher Lucas, a 26-year-old Navy vet and father of three, who herded diners and employees into his walk-in freezer and struggled to keep the door closed until the winds finally took him.
"He died saving more than a dozen people in that freezer," Obama said. "You see, there are heroes all around us - all the time."
The President said the source of their valor is just as mysterious as the reason for Joplin being visited by catastrophe.
"We may never fully understand where these men and women find the courage and strength to do what they did," Obama said.
"Let us live up to their example - to make each day count."
Air Force One flew over Joplin as the President arrived in Missouri, swooping low over a blasted landscape of flattened houses and stripped trees.
From the air, it seemed as if a monstrous bulldozer had driven through the city of 50,000.
On his way to the service, Obama stopped in one of the worst-hit neighborhoods, where he comforted survivors and thanked rescue workers.
He and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon navigated the rubble, shaking hands and hugging people.
They saw nothing whole, but the remnants of small domestic lives: a wall-less living room with a TV still in place, a recliner sitting on a pile of rubble, a washing machine next to a demolished house.
American flags were planted here and there in the devastation.
"You look out at the landscape, and there have to be moments where you just say, 'Where to begin? How to start?' " Obama said.
"Sorry for your loss," he told an anguished woman, embracing her twice.
One volunteer told the President that people were streaming in from other states to help.
"We appreciate everything you guys are doing. God bless you," he said.