The Southern Way of Overcoming Adversity

Gary and Teresa Lovell from Owens VFD

A FEMA official walked up to the East Limestone Volunteer Fire Department after the April 27 tornadoes and saw a community that had already rallied. Firefighters, school students and staff and neighbors had established a command center at the fire station, which was damaged by multiple tornadoes that swept through that day.


The FEMA guy saw food, water and supplies being divided and taken out into the community and asked, "Don't take this the wrong way, but what do you need me for? You've got tornado damage, but y'all are out here cooking and delivering food, and even victims are out here helping."


He got an up close look at the Southern way of overcoming adversity. Since the power was out, people shared food from their freezers and had community cookouts or donated it to responders. Others bought water, sunscreen and items victims needed and began handing out boxes in the devastated areas of the county.


On the first of October, the department held an open house to celebrate the completion of repairs on its building and to thank the community for pulling together. Chief Joey Boyd made BBQ chicken and white sauce and the community ate for free. You can't have a Southern celebration without good food, and it doesn't get much better than free Southern food.


There were some good natured arguments over what SEC football game to watch on the meeting hall television. Folks slippd chicken skin to Sheriff Blakely's dog. Kids jumped in an inflatable bouncer, and men wore pink to promote a Breast Cancer Awareness pink T-shirt fundraiser. It was a great day to be "Lovin' it in Limestone."


After the tornadoes, it was an inspiration to see people help their neighbors and strangers in spite of their own troubles. On this fall Saturday, it was further inspiration to see a community overcome and join together with the intent of never forgetting, but the desire of moving on.

Sauceda waits for scraps