The Springfield News-Leader sent one of its top columnists, Sarah Overstreet, the same reporter who landed the first in-depth interview with Guest House owner Robert Dupont over the weekend. Ms. Overstreet wrote:
As the memorial service began, many eyes were rimmed with tears. One woman waved her candle high in the air for as long as it would burn, and some mouthed the words of an opening song and swayed softly. In the small town, almost everyone knew either someone in the Guest House or their families. "One of my best friends had to identify her brother," Jacobs said. "And lots of the members of my church had cousins in the Guest House."
Reporter Linda Greer covered the event for the Joplin Globe, including this passage:
Pastor Dave Munoz of Anderson First Christian Church said he saw "incredible things" after Dakota Wood, who lives near where the building stood, discovered the fire at 1 a.m. "I saw incredible men risking their lives to save others," Munoz said. "I saw incredible acts of compassion." Munoz credited law-enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and community members for saving many lives.
"Their efforts were recorded in heaven," he said.
Marcus Kabel covered the ceremony for Associated Press. His account featured this description:
Twelve white roses were laid at a memorial at the edge of the home's lawn - a cross wrapped in white Christmas tree lights and hung with wreathes. "I so appreciate these people coming out despite the cold," said Becky Moyer, 47, whose brother Nathan Hurst, 52, was one of the home residents who died in last week's fire. She said a winter storm kept people away from her brother's funeral Friday. "For us, this is our funeral ceremony. It was so beautiful," she said.
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