Born into Disaster

The above photo is from a local newspaper from 1967 with the caption, "It's quite comfortable, thank you". Under the photo it read, "Pascal Rodier, one-month-old son of Captain and Mrs. George Rodier of the Salvation Army, was content sleeping in a carboard bread box at Army headquarters. The baby's crib was destroyed in a tornado, which severely damaged the Rodier home at 1733 Pearl Street. A bassinette was located for the youngster yesterday. The Rodiers are living in Rockford until their home can be repaired."

As I sit today, having my morning coffee, and I reflect on the many tragic event anniversaries this week such as the NS Mass Murders, the Oklahoma City Bombing, the Columbine High School shootings, etc., I pause to think about my first disaster. My parents were young Salvation Army officers in their first posting; Belvidere Illinois. My dad was out of town helping one of his parishioners interview for a job. My mom, who had recently moved from Switzerland, was home alone with me. When the town's emergency sirens sounded she did not know what to do; sirens in Europe mean bombings to a person born during WW2. Luckily for her and I, a neighbor ran into our home, told my mom to grab me and they headed for the basement. My mom recalled heading down the stairs, looking back and seeing the roof of our home fly off. My hometown had just been hit with an F4 Tornado.

The 1967 Oak Lawn tornado outbreak was a destructive tornado outbreak and severe weather event that occurred on April 21, 1967, across the central Midwest, in particular the towns of Belvidere and Oak Lawn, Illinois. Locally known as 'Black Friday,' it was the largest tornado outbreak of 1967 and one of the most notable to ever occur in the Chicago metropolitan area. The outbreak produced numerous and significant (F2+) tornadoes, with ten of them in Illinois alone. Included was one of just six documented violent (F4/F5) tornadoes in the Chicago metropolitan area since the area was first settled. The tornado spanned 25.5 miles, destroyed 127 homes, and several businesses; in total, more than 500 were injured, 24 people died, of which 13 were children. According to The Tornado Project, this was the US' sixth-worst school death toll from a tornado.

My dad, in a neighbouring town, got word that a tornado had touched down in Belvidere and hit the school, hospital and Chrysler Plant. Knowing where our home was he immediately headed back. Once he found that we were safe, he went to work helping those in the community. These were the days before the 'Sally Ann' had their Emergency Disaster Services. So, it was up to the Corps Officers to take on that role. And, although their home was destroyed and they had a one month old, they performed their duties in the service of others. Providing emergency supplies, food, shelter and spiritual support to the town's survivors were their initial objectives.

As first responders, emergency managers, faith-based and volunteer groups we often work in our own communities where disaster has stuck. While our families are impacted we must continue with our mission of helping others.

Now, while I do not recall the events first hand, I have heard the stories about this disaster over the years, however it was not until this year where I really stopped to think about it. Maybe it's that both my parents died in the last year and a half, maybe it's the point that I am at in my life. I think of the part in Saving Private Ryan where Captain Miller says to Private Ryan, "James...earn this. Earn it". And at the end of the movie, a now older Ryan, says to his wife, “Tell me I have led a good life. Tell me I'm a good man.”

Why did my family survive? What reason did so many others die that day, yet I lived? Was it this disaster that I was born into that set a path for my public service? Was it that my parents gave of themselves, even when they too were impacted by the disaster, that steered me towards public safety and emergency management? Who knows why. So I question, have I led a good life? Have I done enough?

#Disasters #EmergencyManagement #FirstResponders #SalvationArmy #BelvidereTornado