Plaque unveiled honoring 161 who died in Joplin Tornado

A plaque honoring the 161 people who lost their lives in the May 22, 2011, Joplin Tornado was just unveiled during the Day of Unity memorial observance in Cunningham Park.

The memorial service is being attended by an estimated six to eight thousand people and follows a Walk of Unity that took place along the path taken by the EF-5 tornado.

The covering on the plaque was lifted by a half-dozen people, including Joplin Mayor Melodee Colbert-Kean.

The unveiling was followed by the dedication of the 161st tree. The trees were planted to replace those which were lost during the tornado.

City Manarer Mark Rohr said, "One hundred sixty trees have been planted to date." Now the 161st tree would be planted, he added.

Helping with the planting of the tree were members of two families who lost loved ones on May 22, 2011.