AAC
F a m i l y F r i e n d s
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Resiliency in face of tornado aftermath Arkansas strong emerges from debris
T
he county family has been focused on Faulkner, Pulaski and White counties recently as those communities continue to pick themselves up and rebuild after a devastating tornado ripped through the heart of Arkansas on April 27. We certainly want to recognize the resiliency of these people and send our thoughts and prayers to those who lost loved ones. The term “Arkansas strong” has emerged from the debris piles as volunteers almost immediately jumped into action to help their fellow Arkansans find loved ones and sift through their strewn lives. One of the first testaments to the power of this twister was the fact that a mailbox from Vilonia came to rest more than 50 miles to the north in Cleburne County. Stories of family photos, pets and other keepsakes turning up miles and miles away also showed the state just how devastating Mother Nature can be. But in contrast, it also provided an avenue for Arkansans to show how strong we are as a people. Hundreds of volunteers ascended on the damage sites bringing water, clothing and food at first. In the following days efforts turned toward cleanup as victims tried to find some normalcy in a nightmarish situation. It wasn’t just the droves of volunteers pitching in to help their neighbors that exemplified the intestinal fortitude of our state; it was the faces of the victims themselves that told the true story of strength in the face of tragedy and adversity. News reports began to be peppered with quotes like “it’s just stuff. As long as my fam-
President’s Perspective
ily is here, we will be just fine.” Images of families smiling together while they rummaged through the debris piles of their lives became more and more prevalent. Yes, there were plenty of sad images as well, but the resilient nature of Arkansans to get back on our feet and carry on began to shine through the dust. Sixteen residents lost their lives on Hon. Mike Jacobs that Sunday. And Vilonia residents AAC Board President; were only three years removed from Johnson County Judge the last tornado that ravished their community. As the rebuilding continues and will for quite some time, we will remember our fellow counties’ tragedies, tribulations and how they rose from the devastation to show our nation just what “Arkansas strong” means. The Honorable Mike Jacobs Johnson County Judge / AAC Board President
Arkansas State Capitol SNAPSHOTS The American Revolution Bicentennial Monument and Fountain stand on the north mall. An elegant travertine canopy shelters a replica of the Liberty Bell. The bell is one of 50 distributed to the states in 1950 after a successful Liberty Bond drive. The bond sale raised $6.5 billion to help pay the military costs of World War II. In 1977, the bell was incorporated into the present design along with the adjacent fountain to pay tribute to the “Spirit of ‘76,” America’s bicentennial. For more information on your Capitol go to www.sos. arkansas.gov (AAC Photo / Christy L. Smith)
COUNTY LINES, spring 2014
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