Families and friends gathered with city and county leaders on a sunny, windy, and cold afternoon Saturday to remember the 19 lives lost nearly a year ago as the Tornado Memorial was unveiled in Dawson Springs.
Tabitha Adams, president of the Dawson Springs Rotary Club, said she made this initiative for the memorial one of her main goals during her tenure. She noted that with the help of Planters Bank, the District Rotary, and many others they were able to make this memorial possible.
On December 10th, 2021, a tornado ripped through Dawson in just a few short minutes, but Adams said its effect will last many years to come as 19 souls were lost that night in Dawson Springs.
click to download audioAdams added that this memorial is a “thank you” to the 19 residents lost for making Dawson Springs a very special place. She said as long as this memorial stands the 19 Dawsonians will never be forgotten and their memories will be preserved in history.
Dawson Mayor Chris Smiley said this memorial is a wonderful accolade to the lives lost.
click to download audioAdams said Governor Andy Beshear was unable to be at the unveiling of the memorial but sent a recorded message to be played at the ceremony. In that message, Beshear talked about his father who grew up in Dawson Springs along with his memories of spending time with his grandfather and family — a place he calls “home.”
Beshear said this memorial will honor the memories of the lives lost on December 10th.
click to download audioHopkins County Judge-Executive Jack Whitfield said the unveiling of the Tornado Memorial Saturday was a “tough day” hearing the names of the 19 people who were lost, but he added they are rising from the rubble because they are “Dawson Strong.”
click to download audioAdams then asked Todd Vanover of Vanover Monuments, Mark Knight of Knight & Sons Monument, and Blake Winston of KMCA Contracting — the three people who constructed the monument — to unveil the memorial.
After the unveiling, Jenny Sewell, mayor-elect of Dawson Springs, read the names of the 19 people who perished on that tragic day.
The crowd also heard remarks from donors of the memorial — former District 6710 President Gail Story, District 6710 Governor Nancy Stearman — who played a large role in the days and months following the tornado in providing help and funding for providing needs to the community and recovery efforts.
Another donor was Planters Bank. Dawson Springs Branch Manager Rita Black and Rotarian said the storm that took so much from the community that night, she feels also gave them a great deal.
click to download audioSome members of the Princeton Rotary Club, who have also provided help and support in the way of donations and funding, were on hand for the unveiling of the Tornado Memorial, located in the back of the Dawson Springs City Park.
