Updated Jul 02, 2012 @ 05:02 PM
I was assigned to cover the arrival of President Barack Obama at Joplin Regional Airport to give the Joplin High School Commencement Adress at Missouri Southern State University’s Leggett and Platt Athletic Center. The following day I went back to cover the Joplin Day of Unity marking the one year anniversary of the E5 tornado that claimed 161 lives.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
President Barack Obama greets Joplin residents shortly after landing at Joplin Regional Airport. Obama spoke at the Joplin High School commencement ceremony almost one year after a tornado devastated the school and the city.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
President Barack Obama waves to Joplin residents as he steps off Air Force One Monday evening at Joplin Regional Airport. Obama told the students that “we can define our own lives not by what happens to us, but by how we respond.”
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Thousands of people taking part in the Walk of Unity travel along the path of the tornado on 20th street Tuesday afternoon. The walk, which was part of the Joplin Day of Unity, marked the one year anniversary of the E5 tornado that destroyed a third of the city and claimed 161 lives.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Kindergartner LucaBella Duncan, 6, takes part in a groundbreaking ceremony with students and and district officials Tuesday morning at the site of the Elementary at East and Joplin East Middle School.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Participants in the Walk of Unity watch as workers add the steeple to the Joplin Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints during one of the stops Tuesday afternoon.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Plans for the new Joplin High School/Franklin Technology Center are seen near the entrance sign and debris from the destroyed school Tuesday.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Participants in the Walk of Unity travel past the destroyed St. John’s Hospital on their way to Cunningham Park Tuesday to take part in the Joplin Day of Unity ceremony.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Participants in the Joplin Day of Unity fill Cunningham Park during a memorial ceremony Tuesday evening which marked the one year anniversary of the E5 tornado that destroyed a third of the city and killed 161 people.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Members of the Joplin Fire Department Honor Guard salute the flag during the Joplin Day of Unity ceremony in Cunningham Park.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Performer Spencer Lee, a Fort Scott native, sings “Rise Up” during the Joplin Day of Unity ceremony Tuesday in Cunningham Park.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Hal Donaldson, who founded Convoy of Hope, gives the keynote address Tuesday evening during the Joplin Day of Unity ceremony in Cunningham Park.
