**[Reflections of the Fargo 57 Commemoration Events in Fargo June 20,
2007]{.underline}**

By Dave Kellenbenz- Meteorologist: NWS Grand Forks

The F5 tornado that struck Fargo, ND on the evening of June 20, 1957 was
a historic event in meteorological history. The tornado also changed the
lives of many people living in Fargo 50 years ago. This tornado would be
studied by Dr. Ted Fujita, who would later go on to create the Fujita
damage scale. Dr. Fujita would also coin the terms wall cloud, tail
cloud and collar cloud from photogrammetric work done by analyzing
around 200 photos from the Fargo tornado. June 20, 1957 was a very muggy
day in Fargo, and Ray Jensen, the warning meteorologist on duty at the
Weather Bureau office in Fargo, felt that there would be thunderstorms
that day, and he was right. 50 years later, the day of June 20, 2007
dawned with plenty of sunshine and low humidity. The day would turn out
to be beautiful, with little wind, abundant sunshine, and a high of 82
with very few mosquitoes at Island Park for the Survivor's picnic. Many
would get acquainted once again on this day, and many would meet for the
first time to talk about the Fargo '57 tornado.

The memorial service at Madison Elementary School at 10 am was very
special, and the mayor of Fargo, Dennis Walaker, eloquently captured the
moment in his speech, which was very heartfelt. His words honored those
who lost their lives 50 years ago, and to the survivors who made it
through the most devastating tornado in North Dakota's history. The
pastor of Golden Ridge Lutheran Church, Mathew Short, gave the
invocation and spoke of how his church rebuilt with a spirit that was
typical throughout Fargo after the tornado struck. Recovery support also
came from all over, including the Mennonites from Manitoba who helped
Fargo in the rebuilding process, and words were said by John Wiens from
the Mennonite Disaster Services in Manitoba. Roses were presented to all
those who lost family members. Mercedes Munson-Erickson was seated in
the first row, and received 6 roses for the children that she lost on
that fateful day on June 20, 1957. She was very appreciative of all the
support and work that went into the Fargo '57 Commemoration, and sent
the National Weather Service a thank you note to show her appreciation.
She would be unable to attend other events that day because of her
arthritis, but she graciously spoke to the media and public about the
events that shaped her life 50 years ago.

I witnessed a reunion at the service that was remarkable. I was speaking
with a nurse who was working the night of the tornado. She was wondering
if Jon Davenport, the "miracle baby", was at the memorial service. She
was the one who treated Jon after he was lifted from his father's (Jerry
Davenport) arms. I had spoken with Jon earlier that morning, and I
brought her over to Jon. They embraced and she explained to him that the
last time she saw him, he was 7 months old. Dr. Ev Duthoy operated on
Jon that night as well, and he was there and also was reunited with Jon.

The weather luncheon at the NDSU Alumni Center from noon-3 pm was a
gathering to reflect on the Fargo '57 tornado, and to look at the
science involved in wind damage estimates and forecasting severe
thunderstorms. The audience consisted of the general public, NWS
meteorologists, TV meteorologists, and faculty from NDSU. There were
about 75 people there, and all talks were warmly received. Four
meteorologists spoke, including Dr. Ray E. Jensen, who was the warning
meteorologist on duty the night of the Fargo '57 tornado. He issued a
tornado warning 1 hour and 3 minutes before the tornado struck Fargo.
This is truly remarkable for 1957. Even present day tornado warnings
rarely, if ever, have 1 hour or more of lead time. He is to be commended
for saving countless lives 50 years ago. Dave Kellenbenz, forecaster at
the NWS in Grand Forks, spoke about re-constructing the Fargo tornado
using weather parameters that meteorologists use today to forecast
tornadoes and supercell thunderstorms. Greg Gust, Warning and
Coordination Meteorologist at the NWS in Grand Forks spoke about Dr. Ted
Fujita and how the tornado damage scale has evolved through the years.
Lastly, Dr. Joe Schaefer, Director of the Storm Prediction Center in
Norman, Oklahoma, spoke about the significance of the Fargo tornadoes
and the many severe weather phrases that were coined from the cloud
features seen in the photographs of the Fargo tornado.

The public picnic at Island Park from 5-8 pm was designed to assemble
all survivors who wished to interact and reflect. There was a tent and
picnic tables set up to accomplish this, along with a booth for the NWS
where we distributed literature and brochures. There were 51 survivors
that signed in. However, there were likely additional survivors who did
not sign in. Some incredible stories were exchanged and it gave the
survivors an opportunity to interact and relive a day they will never
forget. One lady was born at 630 pm in Fargo, and she was there to
explain how she was the "tornado" baby. Another lady relayed a story how
she huddled in a basement in the Golden Ridge area with about 15 people,
since there were only a handful of basements in that area. Her story was
incredible. She explained how the entire house was swept away, but
everyone in the basement survived, even though they were covered with
some debris. She said the sound of the tornado was piercing, and
something that she will never forget.

In talking with most survivors, I found that they all appreciated all
the commemoration activities. Many even said that it made them feel at
peace to be able to talk with others who had gone through such a trying
time in their lives. Many were children back in 1957, but they all had
vivid memories of that day and I believe that talking through these
memories placed a positive light on a tough time for them and the city
of Fargo.

The National Weather Service would like to thank the Fargo '57 Steering
Committee, The Fargo Forum and staff, the city of Fargo, the Fargo
Police Department, Lee's Floral, Dakota Monument, Dr. Ray E. Jensen, Dr.
Joe Schaefer, Peg Jones-Sylvester and all the Fargo '57 survivors who
took part in the 50^th^ Commemoration of the Fargo '57 tornado on June
20, 2007. This event would not have been possible without the support of
many people, so we thank you all!