Prayers and Words of Support
We will continue to post all prayers and support we receive despite the elapsed time since this tragedy.
In times like this, it can be difficult to find words when some have lost so much. However, we feel it means a lot to the community to know that your prayers and support are with them, so we created this page.
Please use our contact form to offer some words of support or let us know you're praying for us.
Support Received
July 28th
I grew up in Ramsey, and my family and I were members of the Marengo Christian Church. We know many resident of Marengo. The website you have created is wonderful. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to help those in need. -- Danville, KY
July 26th
My house did not get hit but I have seen all of my friends houses and it hurts me deeply. I just want to say thanks to all of the people that have came from near and far to help people that they don't even know. This little town will never be the same! -- Marengo Resident
July 20th
I was devastated to hear about the little town, Marengo, that I call home, had been struck by a tornado. I was born in Indiana and my family, Donnie and Sylvia Pierson's old home that so many memories were made in was mangled. The whole roof just came off. We were all so tearful hearing about so many lost homes, but so happy that the community came together. Thinking of you all. -- Seattle
July 1st
My Aunt Kathleen (Crandall) Martin has lived in Marengo all her life. Sadly she lost her husband a few years back after a long battle with cancer. They lived in the rural part of Marengo and she was afraid to stay out in the country. She bought a beautiful new trailer and moved into town to start life over. Now after the tornado my Aunt who is in her 80s will be started over again trying to get into a senior apartment complex as her whole trailer and all its contents vanished into thin air... please keep her in you prayers -- Elaine Crandall
Hello and Blessings! Praise God for what you are doing in the devastated town of Marengo. I have been through there before and have visited Marengo Caves. -- New Whiteland, IN
June 21st
My roots run deep in Crawford. My 3rd great grandparents were some of the first settlers. I have cousins who live in and around Marengo. I have visited many times over the years. I am sorry to hear about the damage done by the tornado. -- Grants Pass, Oregon
June 20th
God Bless all of your during these trying times. My prayers go out to each and every one of you... My husband was in Marengo during the first week with the 1438th. He met many memorable people and will never forget the devastation and the coming together of so many to help. -- Indiana
June 16th
Great page on Marengo tornado - we drove thru there this weekend on return from Indy area, and just amazed at the energy expended by that single storm, as evidenced by the damage - and to think that a half a mile or so either direction would have spared the town and only uprooted trees... I was away visiting my parents in Pennsylvania and relaying storm reports to my wife in Ferdinand -- Ferdinand, IN
June 15th
I really liked your web site , I have family that have lived all their lives in Marengo. Some have passed away but a few still live there. I went there on Monday and could not believe with my eyes the devastation the tornado caused. I walked and took pictures myself with my digital camera to record the damage. I went to check on a cousin who lives on Fancher Heights, friends who live downtown, and also an Aunt and Uncle who live by the Marengo Cave. I offered to help with people carrying things out of their houses as I was walking through town but nobody accepted. They did thank me for asking if I could help them . I still remember the April 3, 1974 tornado that came through Harrison County and as a child how scary that was. I can only imagine what these families were feeling hiding in basements and rooms to avoid being hurt as it passed through overhead. My thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone of them. -- Unknown
June 14th
My husband and I took our kids to your town to see the damage. We are sorry there was so much damage but we are so happy there wasn't more people injured. We got a CD and made a donation. It was small but we hope it helps a little. May GOD Bless you and your town. -- Unknown
June 13th
My husband is SFC John Dugger with the 1438th at Atterbury. He was one of many who came to help with the cleanup. It was his pleasure to help and lend support in whatever way he could. Even during these trying times, he was treated with the utmost respect and hospitality from the people who lost so much. The devastation was horriffic, and I know he wished there was more he could have done. God Bless you all and thank you for allowing him the opportunity to help and return home with stories of such great human encouragement. -- Loretta Dugger
WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU. -- Unknown
I wanted to say thank you for this amazing web site and its one I will never forget. My sister was born and raised in Marengo, and with this, I got to send her this over the net, she now lives in Savannah Ga. I also wanted to thank the clean up crew, the National Guard, the Police, Red Cross and Volunteers to make our town back to the way it was. -- Betsy Abner
Thank you for making the CD. I have photos to develop from the aftermath and will get them on disk... This town will get back on its feet one day at a time. We have a lot of heart and soul here. Thank you again and glad your families are well, God bless. -- Ohio
For years, my family on my father's side used to meet in the park in Marengo for our family reunions. I am very familiar with your town and send you all our family's prayers. A small token of support is being sent separately. May God's blessings fall upon the entire town. -- Unknown
June 12th
At 6:04 pm, May 9th, 1972 I was a terrified young girl clinging to my brother, huddled together in the basement of my families home. Above us were the sounds of our home being destroyed. I can still hear the splintering wood and all the shattering glass and the fury of mother nature as she wreaked her havok on our little town in Ohio. The event lasted only seconds, but the memories a life time. You too, as survivors will develop a strong bond with your community and neighbors as you pull yourselves up by your boot straps and rebuild. You will laugh, and you will cry, but you will come through all this stronger than you were before this happened. You will always have a STRONG respect for the power of nature and will learn to \"read\" the sky. Hang in there as this will all become great stories to tell your children and grandchildren!!!! -- Ohio
June 11th
I have relatives, and many friends in Marengo, luckily none of them were injured. My prayers are with each and every family that has had to endure this devastation. The great people of Marengo will survive this tragedy, and prosper. May God bless you all. -- Unknown
My thoughts and prayers are with you, from my family in CA. -- From California
I want to say to you all my thoughts and hopes are with Marengo. I stayed there for one Year in 96 as an exchange student from Switzerland with Novy and Colleen Andry. they treated me like their own daughter and even though many years have passed i will never forget my time there. -- Switzerland, Europe
June 10th
We just wanted to let everyone in Marengo know that our prayers are with you. It is a devastated thing that has happened, but everyone needs to be strong and stick together. The boss upstairs has plans for all of us. He never gives us more than we can take! Our love is with all of you! -- Armstrong Family
Living in an area ourselves that will one day rely on the prayers and aide of outsiders we would like to send a small gift to help with your rebuilding efforts. Godspeed. -- Shaut Family
June 9th
I went to CCHS in my senior year. Lonnie Presley is my brother. Jayne (Hanger) Presley is my sister-in-law. I just want to say Thank You Lord for sparing my love ones. I have wonderful memories of Marengo and my personal ties go deep. All are in my thoughts and prayers. I remember as a child, April 3rd 1973, in Louisville: I survived a tornado experience and thank heaven it was only minor damage to our house. Please everyone, know that there is a purpose and deeper meaning for all that one experiences in their lives. God Bless!! AND GO WOLFPACK............Booke -- A CCHS Graduate
June 8th
I just made a small donation but hope it helps out in re-building. My thoughts have been with all. I have relatives on my late husbands side who live there. They were spared any major damage. -- Seattle, WA
I was 1 out of many people that called the Red Cross, and 1 of many that was at the High School helping these people who lost everything and the ones without electric for days. I just Praise God for opening the heart of many people and the donations of anything and everything that came pouring in at the High School and the Marengo Fire House. When the National Guard's 130 men and women came in to help, God knew they would provide what was needed. Again I just Thank Everyone for the donations and the volunteers that donated their time. Praise God for caring people. Please keep all the people in Marengo in your prayers, and yes donations are needed. Alot of these people did not have insurance ,In His Love and Service, Servant for God S.C.-- Pastor Sandy Clark
My dad and his whole family is from Marengo. This was the most devastating thing I have ever seen. I went down there on Saturday June 5, 2004 and I thought I was in a war zone. Nothing could of prepared me for what I was about to see. I spent lots of summers in Marengo with all my cousins and aunts and uncles and grandparents. My dad and mom and myself had nothing but tears when we saw the horror. Please know that you are in our PRAYERS and thoughts everyday. -- Tamara
With so much damage and cleanup to do, sometimes people put off grieving for the losses they have suffered. Although many lives were spared through advanced warning, the "life work" of many were not, and starting over is overwhelming. Please remember it's ok to grieve for your losses. Your anger that this happened to your town is justified, understood, and will remain a mystery. God has felt anger many times, and He will understand yours. Mother Theresa said that when she got to heaven that God had a lot of explaining to do! Until then, may God bless Marengo and give you all peace! A special thanks to Ron Line for checking on Grandma Andry and getting her to safety so quickly. -- Monica from Orlando, FL
June 7th
I wanted to offer a thought of strength. Even though a tornado may have ripped through you homes, businesses, and hearts, a tornado cannot rip apart the human spirit. We have all seen how everyone is working together to help one another and a lot of people have gone down there to help you all out. My prayers have been with you all since last week. God Bless you all and keep up your great spirits. You will all prevail. -- Lisa from Indianapolis, IN
Eye Witness Report
"A funnel dropped out of the clouds no more than a few hundred yards to our west. Daphne and I stood there in slack-jawed amazement as Trudy went into a near panic and Shaggy coolly suggested we move south. I could see the power lines spark as we left the rest area. The funnel cloud was bearing north easterly when we last saw it. Minutes later, an F-3 Tornado devastated the city of Marengo, IN just seven miles away..." After we left the rest stop, we drove a few miles south and Tim placed a 911 call to report the event. This would have been moments before the touch down in Marengo. -- Visiting from Milwaukee
I have online friends that live there. My thoughts and prayers go out to them and everyone else that was affected by the storms. May god bless you all. Rod -- Rod from Somewhere
My best friend and her husband and children live there so my heart was crushed when i heard the news. God will protect, I got a chance to live there myself for a little while and i feel like a little piece of me was gone to, may god bless you all -- Unknown
Although our town was ripped apart... we (the entire town) are fortunate God spared our lives. -- Marengo, IN
June 6th
Just know that you have many who are thinking of you during this time of trial. We will lift you up daily in prayer. -- Unknown
Our prayers and thoughts are with you. May God take care of you and help you in your time of need. -- The Presbytery of Ohio Valley/Paoli, IN
We at St. Paul's United Methodist our praying for each of you and will be sending financial donations. As pastor, I feel especially hurting for my friends at Marengo. May you feel God's presence in a strong way during this time of rebuilding. -- Pastor of St.Paul's United Methodist
I'm looking through these pictures... despite the fact that there's destruction in everyone of them almost.... Marengo is a very pretty place -- Waycross, GA
The devastation in town still gives me goose bumps. I pray everyone understands how fortunate we are to just be alive. And it's no coincidence that the Fire Department was spared and we were able to have a central command post. God is still with us, and He continues to amaze me with the donations pouring in & how the community has come together to help one another. -- Marengo, IN
Second Posting - June 4th & June 5th
Thank you for all the help! -- a 1313th ENG. CO. National Guardsman
Hope you are doing well and everyone there is coping. -- Indianapolis, IN
This is a wonderful way to let people know how things are going in your community. I will be sending in a donation and would like to receive a photo cd so you will be hearing from me shortly. I will help spread the word about your website and wish you all the best in your efforts to rebuild. -- Unknown
I'll be mailing in a check for $30 on the 10th, and YES I'd like a CD. This is a wonderful thing you are doing!!! Steve -- Lanesville, IN
I beleive that every volunteer deserves a huge THANK YOU for whatever their effort/help has been. I think what you are doing to raise funds for rebuilding your town is great and pray that it proves to be more fruitful than you could ever dream. Know that your town is in our prayers, as is our own, as we are also recovering from an F2 tornado that touched down for 3 miles, just a little over half mile from our home...-- Unknown
Hey there guys, wanted to let you know from over here in Southern Illinois that you've been the top post on my blog (http://freewillblog.com/)... good luck to you guys with all the efforts.-- Illinois
First Posting - June 1st thru June 3rd
Have heard about the storms that hit Marengo and are Praying that both of you and your families are OK. When you can please let us know how you are doing. We will keep you in our Prayers. -- Fort Wayne, IN
God is still in charge. Our son & daughter-in-law live in the heart of Marengo and when we heard of the storm we left home( Elizabeth )and drove to Marengo. Nothing could have prepared me for what i was about to see. Destruction was everywhere but injuries were minimal and the buzz of chain saws filled the air. Local and neiboring fire dept. volunteers were already at work cutting up downed trees so that they could be moved. My hat goes off to those young men and women of the volunteer fire departments who tirelessly gave their time and their efforts when this town most needed it. I commend you and I pray that God will Bless you all for a job well done. -- Elizabeth, IN
He will deliver You. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Keep faith that He will see you through this tough time. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 -- Unknown
Ours Thoughts and Prayers are with every one!! God's speed with all the clean up and rebuilding!!-- French Lick, IN
The people of Eastview Baptist Church in Paoli, IN are praying for our friends in Marengo and the surrounding area. May God envelop you in His arms and give you peace. Johnny E. Henderson - Pastor. -- Paoli, IN
The Lord bless thee and keep thee; the Lord make his face shine upon thee and be gracious to thee; the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give thee peace. Numbers 6: 21-24 -- Unknown