Capt Larry Little, check in please.

[Delmonico]

I'm guessing that tornado missed you, but I'd like to know you are safe my friend.  From what I saw watching radar loops some of it looked real close to you.

[Shamrock]

I got the following email from Larry Little in response to an email I sent him:

Pat,  Yes, we are all OK but our son and his family lost their house and belongings. Some have said that 25-30% of Joplin is destroyed. Was there all day today and they are probably right. My guess is that approximately 600+ homes were destroyed. There would have been less destruction if the area had been bombed. Thanks for being concerned. We solicit your prayers.
God Bless and shoot safe.
Larry Little
----- Original Message -----
From: Patrick J. Gannon
To: Larry Little
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2011 2:35 PM
Subject: Are you and yours OK?


Larry,
Just checking in to make sure you and your family are OK after the nasty weather in that part of the country.
Regards,
Pat

[Delmonico]

Thank you, I was worried about him, I knew he was in the area.

[Texas Lawdog]

I am glad that Gripmaker is okay.

[US Scout]

Good to hear Larry is OK, though sorry to hear about his son.

I grew up about 45 miles north of Joplin and we had our fair share of tornados but nothing, to my knowledge, was ever as bad as this latest one.

Ironically, I was flying back from LA and our plane was diverted south of Houston to avoid the storms. 

US Scout
Brig Gen, GAF

[Delmonico]

It's been a bad year for them and I fear it ain't over yet, everyone in Tornado Alley keep an eye to the sky and keep track of the weather.

[Capt. Montgomery Little]

Checkin' in! I have to revise some of those statistics, though.  8,000 structures were either demolished or damaged enough to need demo. Don't know how many were homes but a path 1/2 mile wide and 6 miles long.  It passed about 4 miles south of our home and I listened to it for about 1/2 hr. from my front porch. Noisey little sucker for an F5. When it hit the Interstate it overturned and/or flung (good weatherman's word) 40+ trucks and cars around and off the road,  then traveled another 25+ miles east. Not heard reports of damage after it left the Joplin area. So far death toll is 132 with 232 still confirmed unaccounted for.
     Thankfully, the Lord wouldn't allow our last investment house to sell so we have a place our kids can live until thier new house is built. It is right across the highway from us so the "Little" guy doesn't have far to go for Grandma to baby-sit.
      Thank you all for the prayers and concern. It is greatly appreciated. Now to get ready to go to Raton, NM for a week of R&R starting next Sat.

Larry Little aka Gripmaker

[US Scout]

Checkin' in!

      Thank you all for the prayers and concern. It is greatly appreciated. Now to get ready to go to Raton, NM for a week of R&R starting next Sat.

Larry Little aka Gripmaker

Heartily glad to see the GAF Chief of Chaplains is still with us and not in the Land of Oz. 

The news showed an aerial view of the swath cut by the storm - I was reminded of post-WWII shots of Hiroshima! 

If you are in need of anything, let us know.

US Scout
Brig Gen, GAF

[Capt. Montgomery Little]

No need of anything but prayers for the kids.  US Scout, I have also seen pics of Hiroshima and it was alot cleaner that this thing. This thing went waaaay too slow through town. Looks like it just chewed things up and left them lay. Destroyed the son's house but left books on a bookshelf and the baby's bed was sitting right where it should be and intact (good thing he wasn't in it). The immensity of their situation has yet to hit them and it will be touchy when it does.

Thanks to you all for the concern and prayers. Keep them up.
Bvt LTC Montgomery Little, Senior Chaplain, GAF