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Southwest Airlines Community

Rebuilding El Reno: One Year Later

tgatz
Explorer C

This is a guest post from Tana Ramsey Gatz, the daughter of a family who received help from more than 140 Southwest volunteers after their home was destroyed by the deadly tornado that struck El Reno, Oklahoma a little over a year ago. reno2 One year ago, on May 31, 2013, our lives were changed forever.   The day started out as a typical Friday at work with the threat for severe weather, but by the time I got home at 5:30 p.m., we knew that this was not just a typical storm.  I remember watching the dark clouds as they neared our farm in El Reno.  You could see the actual tornado, and as it took a turn toward the south and headed for us, we knew it was time to take cover.  Seconds after my dad shut the cellar door, debris started skidding over the top.   The sounds, pressure, and insulation from the attic blowing around the cellar left no doubt that we were in the middle of a serious tornado.  My ears were popping, and it was even fairly difficult to breath at times. Emotions were at an ultimate high as I rode out the record-breaking tornado along with eight other adults, five children—all of whom were family members—one neighbor, three dogs, and five cats.  All we could do was helplessly wait for the storm to pass. It felt like a lifetime. When we were finally able to open the cellar door, we couldn't believe our eyes.  Just like that, everything my parents had worked their whole lives for was gone.  Little did we know at the time of the heartbreak that people from all over, including a group of more than 140 Southwest Airlines Employees, would come to offer food, drinks, and help start with the clean-up process. reno3 Early the next morning, as we returned to the place we once called home, reality sunk in.  Later that day, our mayor, Matt White, gave my parents some amazing news: Southwest Airlines was bringing Employees from all over the country to offer a helping hand.  The following morning, four huge charter buses, along with multiple people following in their own vehicles, arrived in matching blue shirts, eager to do whatever they could to help. It is a humbling, amazing feeling to know that this group of individuals donated their time and energy to help us rebuild.  We didn’t know them, but what they did for our family will never be forgotten.  We made lifelong friends with people from Southwest Airlines, some of whom adopted our survivor puppies and continue to send us updates and pictures of them. reno4 Over the past year, my family has rebuilt our home.  My dad has reconstructed the new house so that parts of the old house remained in the building.  Our new house is all about entertainment and fun.  We have had birthday parties, family gatherings, and friend gatherings.  My parent’s host the Ramsey family reunion every year, but were unable to host last year due to the tornado.  This past week, we celebrated the Ramsey family reunion once again at our new home. We are fortunate in many ways, but most importantly, we are fortunate to be here today to tell our story.  Thank you, Southwest Airlines, and all of your Employees, for helping my family.  We are forever grateful for each and every one of you!
2 Comments
w5pda
Adventurer B
Other airlines could learn a lot from Southwest. 🙂
millie-richter-
Frequent Flyer C
Thanks Paul!