She somehow was able to shut out the sound, wind and fear to be able to hold onto four girls and keep them calm.  After the storm passed there was a young couple that came running into the church with a baby that was covered in glass and dirt.

Denise and others took care of them as if they were their own.

Denise is our hero.

Submitted by Dan Ackerson of Seneca, Missouri

Brandi heard the tornado sirens and she picked up her kids in the house and Brandi hovered over her 2 kids in there house against the wall to keep her and her 2 kids protected from the tornado and the flying debris, and I know God was watching over Brandi and her family.  And I honor my niece Brandi Hill as a hero and I think she deserves this honor.

God bless!

Submitted by Steve Couch of Joplin, Missouri

Because of this stop she was  right behind the tornado as it traveled through Joplin.We told her a tornado was right by her somewhere.

She knew she would be needed at work so she slowly made her way to Freeman. Daddy and I can only imagine the things that you witnessed and herd that day and how bad it was but you still did your job helping where you was needed.

The stories on the news and the photos we saw on the internet and TV and yes the videos won’t even be a drop in the bucket to what you have had to see and witness that day and the many days that followed. I think it could be compared to a war zone.

Daddy and I would gladly take all your painful memories and what you saw and had to do away if we could, I hope you know we are so PROUD of YOU and all the other Nurses who gave their heart and soul to help those who were in need of medical help.

We just hope over time the painful memories will be less painful, but as the anniversary is approaching I know it will all come flooding back to you.. so know this we love you very much and try to remember that hand you held, or hug you gave, or smile, or yes the calm soothing voice you talk to them in  will be remembered just as much as the medical part of your job that day.

To us you are the Best and we Love you.  Remember..It takes a special person to be a Nurse!

Special Thank You to Amy for letting us know you was ok that day….

Submitted by David & Diane Million of Pittsburg, Kansas

I asked him to please wait until the green clouds passed but he needed to get to work. He drove his Ford F250 away from our home and right into the middle of the storm at the Round About on 20th and Duquesne.

Kevin did what he could and that was to pull into the ditch and wait and wonder if this was the end for him. It totaled his truck and he was able to crawl out of his back window and beging to follow the cries he was hearing.

I didn’t hear from my son for nearly 4 days.

There have been so many great stories of all kinds of hero’s during this terrible time for our city of Joplin. Kevin Russow fits into that group along with all the other’s who answered the call.

Submitted by Ellen Stehly of Joplin, Missouri

My grandma and I started listening to music. Time passed and it was six o’clock and my grandma turned on the news. All I heard was the word “tornado touchdown in Joplin.” I could feel the fear in my body and asked my grandma if we had one coming our way. She said, “no we are good,” then right as my grandpa got home from his meeting and I could hear the hail come down on the rooftop. Then as me and my grandma stepped out the door I could hear the sirens go off and the hail hit my shoulders like a baseball lightly thrown at me.

Then all of the sudden I feel a ball hit my back I turn around and I hear my grandpa say, “Want to play baseball?? Here get your bat ready.”  As he was talking to the neighbor he was trying to put trailer on the white truck I could hear my grandma and I yelling at him telling him to get into the house there was a tornado coming.

Then he came inside and sat down with my grandma and I got between the washer and dryer. Then as soon as he walked in he said not a word and sat down I could feel the fright between us. Then a minute after he sat down I seen the garage door fly backwards it sounded like a whip in the air as it went “WHOOSH”, right then I knew something was happening like this was not a joke its real.

Then I could feel the wind rushing thro the door way where we was sitting and I could smell the rain and the dirt that was flying passed us and I could hear the windows shatter and the wind moving everything around like someone took a bulldozer and started moving things around and breaking things that was not necessary but in my mind I knew that there was no way for me to stop it, like it happens then it happens.

Then the tornado passed us and we sat there for 2 minutes to be sure that the tornado was gone for good, and I was kind sitting there on my toes as I was squatted and shaking then I could feel the numbness going through my feet and I but both of my feet down so that way my heels were on the ground and as I did my heel went into a piece of glass and I didn’t feel it so I thought nothing was wrong.

Then I got up as I started to walk I could feel the water and the dirt on my feet because I had no shoes on and I looked down to make sure I didn’t step on any glass and I seen blood and I sat in the chair and looked at my foot and seen the blood running down my foot. Then the only voice I heard was my grandpa saying “Hold on let me get some shoes for you.”

So I sat there in the chair and cried like I was during the tornado as I was sitting there I was looking at the floor at all the dirt and broken stuff that was on the floor and I looked to my left and I seen my dog lying there wrapped up in a chair. I looked at my grandma and I told her “to go get Misty she’s wrapped up in a chair I think she’s dead.” Then she went over and started shaking her. Then she woke up and I said, “Oh she was just passed out.”

So then I started walking through the house with my shoes on. Then when I got to the door I looked out and all I seen was some damaged house damaged cars and hurt people then as I was breathing I smelt rain insulation from the houses and the damaged. As my grandma was walking she seen our neighbor in her house it was gone and my neighbor and her husband were under the house but thanking the Lord we were both still alive.

Then we go and look at the house in front of me and make my way to her house if felt like a maze made out of trees. It made me feel like I was in a bad dream. After I made my way out of the maze I look over at the old lady next door to the house in front of me and her car was on top of the house ad the lady was in it. That made my heart stop and think about what if she’s dead what if that happen to my grandma what would I do?

So I walked over to her house and about half way there I seen the ambulance medics help her so I didn’t even bother to go over there they already had her on the stretcher and rolling her down the street to take her to the hospital, And as I made my way down the street walking to the house we was were staying at I was looking at what I have never seen before, it was a sight I will remember for the rest of my life.

I am thankful this year after the Joplin Tornado because we had all these people giving us donations and help that we need, I am also thankful for having my family still alive and none of my friends got hurt. I am coping really well thanks to all this help and loving people all around me.

Submitted by Jeannie Kell of Joplin, Missouri

We were out in the hall when the tornado struck the hospital.  It seemed forever before it passed.

All I can say, all the help to get us out was very organized.  I was amazed at all the help that walked up the many flights of stairs and not knowing if any would collapse, (their) only main concern was the comfort and care we got from all till we got outside.

I thank them one and all. I had no idea how big and powerful it was till I got outside and looked around before we went through triage.

I am very grateful for all those people, and the help we got from them.

Submitted by Colleen Bogener of Joplin, Missouri

Sharyl,  34 year old and mother of two, Aaron Cain Nelsen and Matilyn Jade Perry, and the wife of Chad Nelsen.  Never have I seen two people so much in love.

This is part of the tragedy.  Sharyl was working at AT&T when the Tornado veered its ugly head.  She and the rest of her coworkers ran to the men’s room in the back of the building, but as Sharyl spoke to her husand Chad on the phone, she yelled that there was an elderly couple banging at the door, seeking shelter.

She took it upon herself to run to the front door and open it for the  couple whom, I’ve been told are the Finns.  They all ran to the back room in terror, the Finns made it back, they were seriously injured, but lived.

We were not so lucky because my daughter did no make it back in time.  Her chest was crushed and she was the ONLY ONE that died at AT&T.

My  wish for this year is that the  Finns would try to contact Sharyl’s family and thank them for the gift of life she gave them.  My daughter’s death caused not only heartache that cannot ever been healed, but also a ripple effect that changed our lives.

Mattie and Aaron have been separated, my husband and I left our home and belongings behind, and struggle to do the right thing by what Shayl would want.

With such a great loss, the only thing that makes sense to the children is that their  mother is a hero.  The Governor of Missouri has called my daughter “Courageous” and this is what Sharyl’s life was all about.

Submitted by Yolanda Y. Reed of Lamar, Missouri

He called me that evening and told us he had been hit by a Tornado.  His home and car were destroyed.  He asked me if he should go into St. John’s, I told him no, to stay put we would be right there.

When we arrived in Joplin minutes after the tornado my husband was driving his pickup.  Injured people lined the street John stopped helped load people in the back of his truck and began taking people to Freeman hospital.  He made many trips with injured people taking them to Freeman that night along with EMS and other volunteers.

John is my hero, when he was finished carrying the injured to the hospital we cleaned mattresses and blankets covered with blood from the back of our pick up.

John spent the next few weeks delivering meals to volunteers and families cleaning up after the tornado.  He is my hero.

Submitted by Mary Gilpin of Girard, Kansas

Just a couple of minutes after the tornado passed, Don was at my basement window screaming for me. Me, India and 2 neighborhood children were in my basement with just a small window where we could talk to each other.

After making sure his 4yr old daughter and 81 yr old grandmother were safe, he came back and got the children, India and me out. Then Don went from house to house, or what was left of them, and pulled out 2 elderly people from the rubble.

Don was our hero on Highview Avenue that day and we love him.

Submitted by Sarah Kay Coleman of Joplin, Missouri

Alexis stayed strong through the storm and extended a helping hand to whoever needed it. She worked hours on end with very little sleep and then felt guilty when she was given the opportunity to sleep.

I am very proud of her not just because she is my wife but because alot of people would not be able to do the job that she does im very proud to call her my HERO…

Submitted by Tim Jeffers of Seneca, Missouri