Harrisburg community remembers tornado victims - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

The deadly tornado on February 29 of this year tore through the Harrisburg community, leaving hundreds of homes destroyed, hundreds of people injured and seven dead.

On Thursday afternoon the victims families, friends and community leaders gathered at Harrisburg Medical Center to dedicate two memorial gardens to the victims.

"It's a way for us to show how this community came together," said Rodney Smith President and CEO of Harrisburg Medical Center. "The compassion we felt and how we cared for one another as individuals. And the gardens should be a healing for those who were affected most of all."

One by one the names of the seven victims were read aloud and after the final name there was moment of silence.

Then many of the people who gathered for the dedication ceremony took a moment to pause in front of each of the memorials and remember those who lost their lives.

"The community won't ever forget the people that died," said Carolyn Osman. "And we'll never forget the tragedy. And about how this town pulled together. And how we've made new friends out of the tragedy. And I think it's very special, I'm so thankful that the hospital did this."

Patty Ferrell spoke to the crowd about how her daughter Jaylynn was so proud to be able to work at Harrisburg Medical Center and help people. And she reminded everyone that even as the community rebuilds, the victims families still have a long way to go in their healing process.

"It's a way that we can keep everyone's memories about the people that we've lost and their families," said Patty Ferrell. " And even though the town is rebuilding, our lives aren't. ANd it's just really hard sometimes for us on a day to day basis. And to go on knowing that they're not here for all the special events and holidays. And the day to day things."

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