A kid I know was in a tornado

A young man I game with was in a tornado while at a Boy Scout leadership event. Here is his account.


On June 11, 2008, at Little Sioux Scout Ranch (LSSR), Green Troop was in the east shelter at 6:30 p.m. I was looking to the west watching the rain, lightning, and thunder, while talking with my friend T.H. He pointed to the dark column of clouds as it came into the valley, and everyone saw it. D.K. said, “Get into the south shelter,” as the camp alarm sounded. As Green Troop and staff ran toward the south shelter, I was towards the front-to-mid-pack with the PT flag in hand. I was yelling to go left at the crossroads when I encountered some stragglers. I ran around them and deliberately slowed down in order to herd them towards the shelter. I yelled, “Keep moving!”
While moving, I turned around about half-way between the shelter and the crossroads; I could not see the administration building due to the dark clouds. The high winds spawned by the tornado bent the trees over and made it very hard to run, but adrenaline kept me going, and I made sure that everyone made it to the shelter, crossing my flags to direct them. B. closed the door as I dove to the center of the shelter and covered my head. I lay on the cold, wet floor in pitch-blackness, and I could hear the voices of friends within shouting distance. I handed my flag off to T.B. so no one would trip on it.
After the tornado passed, B. directed us to get a head count for each patrol. Thankfully, every member of Green Troop made it to the shelter. We waited ten to fifteen minutes for the strong winds to pass and noted the resounding silence as not even a frog was heard. It was humid in the shelter, so we opened the docks to the north. I looked over the valley and saw a sea of red and blue lights and noticed the road to the shelter blocked off by downed trees. A first responder walked up to the shelter and asked if anyone was injured. We reported that two scouts had jungle foot. B. informed her of the head-count, and told her that all members of Green Troop were present. The first responder left us her floodlight before moving on. We heard numerous chainsaws running non-stop. A group of responders brought us some water and the two scouts with jungle foot were walked out.
We were all pacing in the shelter when I noticed my friend T. with his arms crossed and teeth chattering. He was wearing a wet t-shirt, shorts, and tennis shoes. I took off my scout shirt and rain gear and had T. put it on in order to hold in his body heat, because I was worried that he might be in shock. I talked to T.R. about this, and he told me to keep an eye on T. and keep him warm. I had T. sit down on a bunk. A short time later, some trauma blankets were brought up to us. I got one right away for T. and informed my patrol that the blankets were available, as well as food.
Later, when my patrol looked very tired, I cleared the bunks for them to lie down. Three scouts rested on the bunks. We had several moments of silence for Red Troop. Though we had received no official word, the number of medevac helicopters heard and seen in Red Troops area told us they had been hit hard. The next two hours were spent giving our names and phone numbers to a fireman. The road had been cleared so we could pass on foot. Green Troop was moved out of the shelter one patrol at a time. We walked single file with a rescue worker by each of our sides. The sun had gone down and the rain had stopped; the ground was very muddy and I would guess the time was midnight. There were about fifty firemen on the side of the road just watching us pass; I had a very solemn feeling as I passed them.
When we arrived at the open pavilion, we noticed the many downed trees. We waited a short while before going into the administration building to give our names and home towns. We went outside to talk to some firemen who were happy to help us. We were then taken by ambulance out to the main road to a school bus. The bus took us to the high school where the Red Cross wrote down our names and the Salvation Army gave us dry socks (“Thank you!”). We were then told about Red Troop.

When I saw my friend from high school, E.J., pick up a scout from his family, I realized my family would be coming to get me as well. Awhile later my dad came in to pick me up and gave me a huge hug. I then rode home where my mom was waiting for me.


This is all to the best of my knowledge




J.
Troop XXX



The tornado claimed the lives of four Scouts from Red Troop. A link to a news story is here.

Killing zombies is the right thing to do

We shall suffer not the undead to live. I found a cool new persistent browser-based game that is a hybrid of an arcade-style shooter and a MMORPG. It is called Dead Frontier and it is still in Beta, but seems to run pretty smooth. You can register by following the link; there is no download or fee. If you do register, let me know so I can help you out with some free gear. I am Pee Stain.

Dead Frontier

Mood music from Bauhaus.

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By explorator at 2008-07-15

Spank the Nation

Senator Lindsey Graham is the mouthpiece of the GOP? As a regular on CBS’s Face the Nation Lindsey often makes claims that would cause even most politicians to blush; perhaps that is why he wears so much make-up. Recently, Sen. Graham praised John McCain as the biggest maverick in the republican ranks, without even a nod towards the only real independent GOP senator, Chuck Hagel. It is odd that each of Nebraska’s senators are being considered for vice-president by the opposition. Obama-Hagel or McCain-Nelson.


By explorator at 2008-07-09

Sexton Blake

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It's who you know

The Supreme Court struck down the D.C. gun ban in a 5-4 decision, affirming the individual’s right to own firearms for self-defense. While the NRA is reaping much praise, this case was in fact brought before the court by a lawyer from the CATO Institute, a Libertarian think-tank. The NRA is poised to benefit from the ruling in pending-cases across the country, including Chicago, where another important question will be confronted: Does the Second Amendment apply equally on the state and local level, or only regarding federal laws?

After many years of hesitation, I recently joined the NRA as a pre-requisite to become a member of a local gun-club. Access to a 600-yard rifle range is good motivation, and while I never appreciated the ‘Charlton-cold-dead-hands-Heston’ approach to retaining the Bill of Rights, the NRA is an efficient lobbying group with reasonable goals.

I plan on joining the gun-club in late July, and I will start a semi-regular practice schedule as soon as I buy some ammo. Club membership includes access for the wife, so we will both work on our familiarity and accuracy. Shooting has been a languishing interest for me, but it is my goal to re-ignite this hobby, and I intend to obtain a Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) permit within a year.

Cibo Matto

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By explorator at 2008-07-01

Off the Air

Thanks to the Goodwill, I now have a touch-tone phone and a stand-alone caller ID, giving me one land line in the house. Every home should have at least one land line to use in case of power loss. In some cases, even cell towers can be damaged making your land line that much more valuable. The last thing you want in any situation that may cause power loss is to be left alone in the dark with no way to communicate with the authorites, friends, or neighbors. Get hard wired.

I recently found my Money Mark CD. It is sublime.

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By explorator at 2008-06-25

Roman Games

A ROMAN GLASS GAMING DIE
Circa 2nd Century A.D.

Christie's Auction house recently sold a D20 from the second century A.D. Did the Romans play D&D? They could have.

Conner Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
Souled Out!!!

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Best wishes dearly departed

I was sorry to hear about the death of my good friends mom yesterday. Even when we know it is coming, even when we make the best preperations possible, it still sucks when it happens. My gaming group gets the 'Asshats of the Year' award for shouting out "Strippers!" when I took the call on my cell and got the bad news.

Somehow Joe Henry singing a children's song seems appropiate.

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Happy Father's Day

It is raining in Omaha and the thunder is soft and distant. Dishes are done, but the floor needs mopped and I will soon fire the grill to cook some steaks for Dad. Don't forget to call Mom as well.

Looking forward to the No Blood Orphan show on the 27th.

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Don't forget to make Dad a cake.

Las Vegas Trippin

The trip was all good. Saw many old friends and was present for the marraige of Jeff and Sarah. The Valley of Fire was the perfect setting; being surrounded by 150 million year-old rock formations reinforced the permanence of their union. Shared a ton of great music among friends from Olympia and Boise.

Thanks to Wade & Beth for hosting our stay and sharing their home.

Found this wonderful song that expesses my vast satisfaction.

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By explorator, shot with KODAK Z812 IS ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA at 2008-06-20