A year ago today, seven tornadoes formed in Limestone County, including an EF5. Their angry winds swirled, gathering what lay in their path, turning keepsakes and homes into debris.
Four died here: a pair of grandparents who huddled over their grandchildren, saving them; a granddaughter visiting her grandmother; and a daughter driving home from work.
Hundreds rebuilt here, some on the same lot and others in new locations.
More tornadoes have hit since the deadly April 2011 outbreak. More keepsakes and more homes were scattered for miles, but thankfully, no lives were lost.
Today, a pile of bricks stood strong by a cornfield east of Athens. These bricks were tossed away by tornadoes and gathered by those who once lived within their walls.
In the near future, these mismatched bricks will again become a foundation, this time, for the Limestone County Tornado Victims Memorial. Once again these bricks will offer support, but this time, it will be emotional support for those who have lost loved ones to tornadoes since 1900. The memorial will include the names of those we have lost, ensuring we do not forget.
Most importantly, these bricks will prove that in Limestone County, we unite to help our neighbors. We unite and continue on with life. The heartache of what we've lost remains with us, but together we endure.
We rebuild. Brick by brick.
