The tornado that ripped through the Little Sioux Scout Ranch showed the boys and their leaders, who have spent their young lives learning about the outdoors, just how fierce Mother Nature can be. Earlier in the week, the scouts drilled on what to do before, during and after a tornado. So Wednesday night, when the clouds had parted and the chaos had passed, the Scouts took count of each other, just as they had practiced. Many showed their bravery as well as their training. Inspite of their own injuries, scouts lifted bricks and debris from others, created tourniquets to stop bleeding and eased their fellows pain until rescuers could arrive.

Forty-eight children and adults were taken to the Burggess Hospital Emergency Room in nearby Onawa, Iowa,  for triage…as they, too, had recently practiced.  Several of the youngsters remained in the hospital. Hugs bears are there as well … 50 teddies will be huggable companions to the scouts as they recount their trauma and grieve their loss.  Four Scouts died: Aaron Eilerts, 14, of Eagle Grove, Iowa, and Josh Fennen, 13, Sam Thomsen, 13, and Ben Petrzilka, 14, all of Omaha, Neb.  Our prayers are with them all.