U.S. President Obama visited Joplin, Missouri Sunday
to attend the memorial service, one week after the city was battered by
the deadliest single tornado, according to local media.
Obama flew over the worst-hit area of the city,
viewing it from above, before landing in Joplin. Obama said that it's
going to take years to build back and he urged Americans to donate to
the Red Cross, which is assisting storm victims who have lost their
homes. Tornadoes, he said, can happen to anyone, according to CNN.
Obama offered condolences and encouragement to the
tornado victims, while delivering his speech during the memorial
service after touring the 6-mile-long storm-ravaged area and meeting
with storm survivors. "This is not just your tragedy, this is a
national tragedy, and that means there will be a national response, "
Obama told the people of Joplin.
Obama praised the solidarity the people of Joplin
had shown when tornado hit as well as people who have engaged in heroic
efforts for the people of Joplin. He promised that "the country will be
there with you every step of the way."
The tornado touched down into the heart of the
Midwest city near 6 p.m. local time on May 22, destroying neighborhoods
and killing more people than any other U.S. tornado since modern
recordkeeping began in 1950. In the last month, tornadoes killed more
than 300 people and caused more than two billion U.S. dollars of
damages to the U.S. South. Xinhua
