On the 1-year
anniversary of the tornado that devastated the city of Joplin, Missouri, I have
been reflecting on an amazing experience.
On September 10, 2011 a World Bird Sanctuary crew of staff members, birds
of prey, and a Bald Eagle traveled to Joplin, Missouri.
This was the beginning
of a new school year in Joplin—just under four months
after the devastating tornado tore through town on May 22nd, 2011. The
occasion was the home opening game of the new school season.
All the Joplin schools have the Bald Eagle as their mascot
World Bird Sanctuary and
Missouri American Water Company, who sponsored our trip, wanted to help lift
the spirits of the people of Joplin.
We did live bird
programs at all 4 of the grade schools affected by the tornado.
We also did a program on
Thursday night at the Community Center in downtown Joplin. The program was open
to the public and very well attended. We flew some birds of prey over the
guests and then capped off the evening by flying
Clark the Bald Eagle—twice--over the
crowd. Everyone was in high
spirits that night.
We did programs at all 4 of the schools affected by the tornado
The next day was
Friday--the day of the first home game of the new Football season. To say
there was excitement in the crowd is an understatement. The feeling of accomplishment and
resilience in this town was palpable.
Eagle Trainer Roger Wallace and WBS founder Walter Crawford with Clark before the release
Kids and adults were
dressed in the school colors. The band was playing. Roger Wallace, the Eagle
trainer, and I had practiced flying the Eagle over the football field the day
before. So we were very confident that Clark the Bald Eagle would fly straight
and true. Roger Wallace has done
an excellent job training this beautiful bird.
Roger Wallace & Clark before the
release
As I walked onto the
playing field with Clark, after the National anthem, the crowd suddenly
went silent. Over the loud speaker
the crowd was told to focus their attention on the 20-yard line to watch the
flying of the Bald Eagle. Suddenly you could hear a pin drop. I was holding the Eagle, which I had
done many times before, but this time seemed surreal. You could almost feel the tension of the crowd.
I could see that Roger
was ready, and then saw him give the cue. I was ready to heave Clark into the
air for the flight, but Clark had already seen Roger give his cue and he lifted
off the glove as if he knew that this time was something special. I watched him fly down the field to
Roger as he had practiced so many times before, straight and true as an arrow. WHAT A GREAT FEW MOMENTS! There was a deafening roar from the
crowd as Clark landed on Roger’s glove, and they went crazy! I’ve never heard such a loud crowd
response before or since.
I'm sure more than a few
people shed a tear at the glorious sight of our National Symbol, Joplin’s
School Mascot, flying down that field.
Clark seemed to symbolize the spirit, resilience and courage of this
small town, which had come so far in such a short time.
Our thanks to Missouri
American Water Company for making this inspiring event possible.
Submitted by Michael
Zieloski, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist
nice pics
ReplyDelete