A year after a deadly tornado ripped through Joplin, Missouri, killing hundreds, residents remembered the first anniversary with a sunrise service for medical workers and volunteers and survivors who were mobilized into action.
A four-mile unity walk through some of the city's hard-hit areas is also planned for later Tuesday, one day after President Barack Obama spoke at Joplin High School's graduation ceremony, where he praised the resiliency of residents for bringing the town, the nation and the world together to help rebuild the city from the rubble.
The tornado that touched down on the night of May 22, 2011 was the nation's deadliest in six decades, killing 161 people and leaving hundreds more injured. It damaged and destroyed thousands of homes, businesses and several schools, including the town's only public high school, Joplin High -- just hours after the Class of 2011's graduation ceremony.
The story of Joplin isn't just what happened that day, Obama said. It's the story of what happened the next day. And the day after that. And all the days and weeks and months that followed.
You'll remember that in a town of 50,000 people, nearly 50,000 more came in to help the weeks after the tornado -- perfect strangers who've never met you and didn't ask for anything in return, Obama added. Remember what people did here. And like that man who came all the way from Japan to Joplin, make sure in your own life that you pay it forward.
As part of the rebuilding process, Joplin is breaking ground on three new schools, according to the Associated Press.
Start the slideshow to see residents rebuild in Joplin.
Homes under construction are seen in Joplin, Missouri May 17, 2012. May 22 marks the one year anniversary of a deadly EF-5 tornado that ripped through the town, killing 161 people. The tornado damaged or destroyed about 7,500 homes and 500 other buildings, but the city is now well into a recovery mode that has spurred some segments of the local economy. REUTERS/Eric ThayerConstruction work is seen as it continues in Joplin, Missouri May 17, 2012. May 22 marks the one year anniversary of a deadly EF-5 tornado that ripped through the town, killing 161 people. The tornado damaged or destroyed about 7,500 homes and 500 other buildings, but the city is now well into a recovery mode that has spurred some segments of the local economy. REUTERS/Eric ThayerVolunteers place wood floor planks for a house under construction in Joplin, Missouri May 16, 2012. May 22 marks the one year anniversary of a deadly EF-5 tornado that ripped through the town, killing 161 people. The tornado damaged or destroyed about 7,500 homes and 500 other buildings, but the city is now well into a recovery mode that has spurred some segments of the local economy. REUTERS/Eric ThayerA newly constructed home is seen for sale in Joplin, Missouri May 16, 2012. May 22 marks the one year anniversary of a deadly EF-5 tornado that ripped through the town, killing 161 people. The tornado damaged or destroyed about 7,500 homes and 500 other buildings, but the city is now well into a recovery mode that has spurred some segments of the local economy. REUTERS/Eric ThayerWorkers construct a home in Joplin, Missouri May 16, 2012. May 22 marks the one year anniversary of a deadly EF-5 tornado that ripped through the town, killing 161 people. The tornado damaged or destroyed about 7,500 homes and 500 other buildings, but the city is now well into a recovery mode that has spurred some segments of the local economy. REUTERS/Eric ThayerVolunteers Tim Dalton (L) and Joe Head, both from Salem, Illinois, help clear rubble left from the May 22 tornado in Joplin on June 1, 2011. Missouri officials on Tuesday reduced the number of missing people from last week's devastating Joplin tornado to 10, a third of the previous day's count. The tornado that hit May 22 was rated an EF-5, or the strongest possible, and was rated the deadliest single twister in the United States since 1947. REUTERS/Sarah ConardMichael Phillips and Kathi Gale embrace outside their home which was destroyed by the May 22 tornado in Joplin May 31, 2011. Missouri officials on Tuesday reduced the number of missing people from last week's devastating Joplin tornado to 10, a third of the previous day's count. The tornado that hit May 22 was rated an EF-5, or the strongest possible, and was rated the deadliest single twister in the United States since 1947. REUTERS/Sarah Conard
