Sunday, May 29, 2011

Moment of silence set for 5:41 p.m. today

(From the City of Joplin)

Residents are encouraged to stop their activities and pause for a Moment of Silence at 5:41 p.m. on Sunday, May 29 to honor those who lost their lives or have been injured and are suffering because of this disaster that struck Joplin one week ago. The initial report of the EF-5 tornado on the ground in Joplin was made at 5:41 p.m. May 22.


Citizens working in their neighborhood will be able to gather with their friends and neighbors during this event. Zimmer Group Radio will have five remotes located within the disaster zone, allowing people to stay in their neighborhood, but yet still participate. The City will gather at the Cunningham Park parking lot, just east of 26th & McClelland Boulevard. Residents do not have to go to this location to participate, they can just stop where they are and pause for the observance.

“Residents have been through a great deal this past week,” said City Manager Mark Rohr. “By having the radio station participate, it allows many to join in this silence observance, but yet still not leave their neighborhoods That is truly where they have been impacted.”

News Talk KZRG Radio, an affiliate of Zimmer Radio Group, will participate in this event, and broadcast opening comments by City officials before participating in a moment of silence. Immediately following this moment, the radio station will broadcast a song that was sent to the City as a tribute to all of its citizens who died during the tornado and others who survived, but have been affected by the destructive storm.

Zimmer will be in the following areas during this time: (these are general locations, and more specific remote locations will be broadcast by Talk Radio KZRG)

26th & Schifferdecker, Winfield area

Cunningham Park

Joplin High School, 22nd & Indiana, 24th & Illinois

20th & Murphy, Texas Ave, etc. area

13th & Rex

If residents want to come to Cunningham Park, they need to use caution due to the amount of debris still remaining in the area. Park staff also states they should wear proper shoes and to arrive early (by 5 p.m.) to help alleviate traffic congestion during the Moment of Silence.

Parking will be available along 26th Street, just east of Picher Avenue, and in the surrounding areas. Again, residents should plan to arrive early if wanting to be in the Cunningham Park, but can participate WHEREVER they are at 5:41 p.m.

Immediately after the moment of silence, “Sing Again”, a song that is a tribute to this disaster in Joplin will be played by KZRG radio. The song was written by Mark Laperle in Bedford, Virginia. In an email describing the song, Laperle said, “The story of devastation and loss from Joplin has not gone unnoticed. I have no doubt there are literally millions of Christians across America praying for you.”

Upon hearing this song, City Manager Mark Rohr reached out to Laperle to thank him. “It is a truly a tribute to the people who have lost their lives and, and all those who have been affected by this disaster,” he said. “I was personally moved and touched by this gesture of genuine care and concern for our City. I called Mark Laperle and gave my heartfelt thanks for reaching out to us and wanted to convey it to all of the citizens of Joplin.”

“Obviously, this has impacted everyone in Joplin,” said Lynn Iliff Onstot, Public Information Officer for the City. “KZRG has been a great resource for our community. It’s with partnerships such as this one, that our citizens are able to get some of the essential information they need to rebuild their lives.”

For those wanting to download the song, it can be found at www.joplinmo.org at the “TORNADO” information link. It will be available after the observance.

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