Community resilience

In a recent Missourian Perspective article, contributor Sharon Sanders provided comparison between the tornado in Moore, Okla., and the 1949 twister that struck Cape Girardeau. What stood out in my mind in the accompanying editorial was the attitude and spirit of the survivors of the disaster 63 years ago and, let us say, the 2005 New Orleans catastrophe. Immediately, friends and neighbors pitched in to help the survivors with shelter, rebuilding and resupplying. Disaster plans formulated right away without federal government intrusion. The local government took care of itself. The community voluntarily stepped up to the plate and did what needed to be done. There were no refugees standing on the overpass looking to the skies for the federal government to attend to their every want and need.

What occurred is a testament to Midwestern character and values. The damaged city was rebuilt stronger and better. I see this same resilience in the citizens of Moore, Okla. May god bless you all.

James C. Roche, Jackson