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Standing in a metal-frame building in this western Kansas town, President George W. Bush assured the 18 graduating seniors of Greensburg High School that their story was one of inspiration.
"The tornado tore apart the beams and boards that held your houses," Bush said. "But it could not break the bonds of family and faith."
In the tiny auditorium, with hundreds of friends and family attending the graduation by invite only, Bush told those graduating that they held a unique claim to the future.
By walking across the stage Sunday, he said, the graduating Rangers would stand as a beacon of resiliency for the American public.
One year to the day after a deadly tornado cut a swath of destruction through this small town, and at the end of a week of celebration underscored by hope and healing, Bush returned to Greensburg for a second time.
Hundreds from across the state arrived in Greensburg Sunday, either to share in the joy of graduation, or to show their support for a town that refused to curl up and die after it was dealt a seeming death blow.
As the president's motorcade drove through what was left of downtown Greensburg, hundreds of American flags snapped in the wind.
And while his first visit brought a heavy heart on the heels of massive chaos, Bush said the city of Greensburg had rode higher than any storm ever could.
"The Greensburg class of 2008 has learned that Americans will always rebuild, stronger and better than before," he said.
Bush's speech touched on feelings similar to this town as it bounces back from near-complete destruction. Touching on everything from hope to despair, Bush told the seniors the growth they felt after the destruction would prove an invaluable tool.
The learning experience brought by the tornado wasn't lost on the students.
Co-valedictorian Lane Allison said after the tornado laid Greensburg's schools low, the question became what would happen to those he had grown up with.
"Where would we be going to school?" he said. "We were unsure what would happen."
However, Allison said, the decision to rebuild in the same place, with the same people, was a risk he felt that would pay untold dividends down the line.
"Today is our day," he said. "Not to dwell in the past, but to look to the future. To look at all the challenges we have overcome."
Standing in a metal-frame building in this western Kansas town, President George W. Bush assured the 18 graduating seniors of Greensburg High School that their story was one of inspiration.
"The tornado tore apart the beams and boards that held your houses," Bush said. "But it could not break the bonds of family and faith."
In the tiny auditorium, with hundreds of friends and family attending the graduation by invite only, Bush told those graduating that they held a unique claim to the future.
By walking across the stage Sunday, he said, the graduating Rangers would stand as a beacon of resiliency for the American public.
One year to the day after a deadly tornado cut a swath of destruction through this small town, and at the end of a week of celebration underscored by hope and healing, Bush returned to Greensburg for a second time.
Hundreds from across the state arrived in Greensburg Sunday, either to share in the joy of graduation, or to show their support for a town that refused to curl up and die after it was dealt a seeming death blow.
As the president's motorcade drove through what was left of downtown Greensburg, hundreds of American flags snapped in the wind.
And while his first visit brought a heavy heart on the heels of massive chaos, Bush said the city of Greensburg had rode higher than any storm ever could.
"The Greensburg class of 2008 has learned that Americans will always rebuild, stronger and better than before," he said.
Bush's speech touched on feelings similar to this town as it bounces back from near-complete destruction. Touching on everything from hope to despair, Bush told the seniors the growth they felt after the destruction would prove an invaluable tool.
The learning experience brought by the tornado wasn't lost on the students.
Co-valedictorian Lane Allison said after the tornado laid Greensburg's schools low, the question became what would happen to those he had grown up with.
"Where would we be going to school?" he said. "We were unsure what would happen."
However, Allison said, the decision to rebuild in the same place, with the same people, was a risk he felt that would pay untold dividends down the line.
"Today is our day," he said. "Not to dwell in the past, but to look to the future. To look at all the challenges we have overcome."
To the future
As the second class to graduate from Greensburg High School since the May 4, 2007, tornado, the class of 2008 was poised on a unique ledge. This senior class completed its last year of high school in trailers and played all home sports games away.
Bush told the 18 seniors that by showing undeniable strength in the face of the tornado, they had set an inspiring example for much of the nation. Those lost in the tornado, Bush said, and those who had left Greensburg after all the widespread destruction would always be a part of the town.
"Greensburg will rise again," he said to thunderous applause.
Darin Headrick, superintendent of USD 422, was also honored with the "Make a Difference" award during the graduation ceremony for refusing to allow the Greensburg schools to crumble, helping Greensburg schools ring their first school bell that same August.
"I'm very humbled," Headrick said. "Everyone here still has Greensburg pride and Ranger spirit. It is truly an honor."
But through it all, and through the thanks, the students said it was their sense of family and sense of belonging that would keep them tied together.
Co-valedictorian Cassie Blackburn said it wasn't the education that kept her going to school in Greensburg. It wasn't the school, and it wasn't the teachers.
"I returned because I wanted to be with you," she said, gesturing to her fellow graduates.
"I'll always remember when I was told, 'We cannot direct the wind,'" Blackburn said. "But we can direct the sails."
It was Bush who seemed to hit the nerve and tap into the one binding tie that brought hundreds of people together in a cramped and hot gym on a Sunday afternoon.
"From one fellow Ranger fan to another, 'Beat 'em up, beat 'em up, GHS,'" he said.
The roar that followed announced Greensburg's return.
Reach Mark Vierthaler at (620) 408-9932 or e-mail him at mark.vierthaler@dodgeglobe.com.
