Bush to revisit Greensburg on first anniversary of tornado
By Michael Schweitzer/GHNS
President Bush talks to Greensburg, Kan., residents while touring the town in this May 9, 2007, photo. Bush is scheduled to speak at the Greensburg High School graduation ceremony on May 4, the first anniversary of the tornado that struck the city. (Michael Schweitzer, Daily Globe)
GateHouse News Service
Fri Apr 11, 2008, 10:53 AM CDT
GREENSBURG, Kan. -
President Bush will speak at Greensburg High School's graduation ceremony next month, the White House announced.
According to a transcript between press secretary Dana Perino and the White House press corps, Bush will be delivering three commencement addresses this year, including the one in Greensburg. The other two are set for May 29 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., and May 31 at Furman University in Greenville, S.C.
Greensburg superintendent Darin Headrick said he was flattered that Bush had chosen to return to address the second class to graduate after a May 4, 2007, tornado destroyed most of the small western Kansas town.
"We're really very honored," Headrick said. "We really appreciate President Bush taking the time out of his very busy schedule."
The graduation, which was pushed up to May 4 to mark the first anniversary of the devastating storm, symbolized the resilience of the 18 graduating students as well as the town itself, Headrick said.
"Of course, we already had one graduating class since the tornado," he said. "This is the second, but again, it symbolizes the endurance of this community."
Greensburg High School principal Randy Fulton echoed Headrick.
"This really speaks to the resilience of the students," he said. "They're a special class."
Fulton said he felt equally honored that Bush decided to come back for the anniversary as well as the graduation.
The graduation ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. in the Greensburg High School's practice gym. Headrick said attendance is limited to those who receive invitations.
This is the second trip Bush has made to Greensburg. The first came five days after the tornado struck, as he was taken on a tour of the devastation. During that trip through the rubble, Bush brought the town a message of hope.
Bush said then that he wanted to let people know that "while there was a dark day in the past, there's brighter days ahead," according to a May 10, 2007, article in the Daily Globe.
Words that seem to have rung true.
In the year since, Greensburg has received countless attention and offers of sympathy and help. And while there have been some growing pains, locals leaving and not returning as well as scam artists taking advantage of the aftermath, there has been an outpouring of hope.
Bush's second visit is just one more positive step for Headrick.
"We've been working with them (the White House) for quite a while," he said. "We've known for about a month or a month and a half he would be coming. It is nice."
During her press briefing Thursday, Perino reminded members of the White House press corps that Bush's speech would coincide with the anniversary of the disaster.
"The president will be giving the speech to the high school there one year to the day of the tornado," she said. "So we're very pleased to be going back and celebrating that event with them."
Fulton said he was proud to see his students complete their final year in high school after the tornado.
"They really have weathered the storm," he said.
Contact Mark Vierthaler at (620) 408-9932 or mark.vierthaler@dodgeglobe.com.
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