The Butterfly People
As the tornado lifted, the stories began... stories of butterflies, butterfly people or angels that protected children from the storm. The stories were many and miraculous but very believable when set against the backdrop of the physical devastation caused by the storm.
The stories spread rapidly and gave people peace and hope to a community so badly hurt. While there were many different accounts, the following three are representative of the miracle that happened on May 22, 2011.
A father laid on top of his daughter in the yard grasping at the grass to keep them both down. His shoes were pulled from his feet but when the storm lifted and they were both unharmed, his daughter simply said "Daddy, it was OK, a butterfly was holding us down."
A young girl was lifted into the air by the storm, but a butterfly quickly wrapped its wings around her and brought her safely to the ground.
Without a scratch, a child in a car seat emerged from a car filled with glass and debris. When safe from the wreckage, the child described a butterfly wrapping its wings around him, protecting and making him feel safe.
Erected by TKF Foundation and the City of Joplin.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is May 22, 2011.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Survivor Quotes (here, next to this marker); Recovery Efforts: After the Storm (here, next to this marker); Tornado Statistics - May 22, 2011 - Joplin, MO (here, next to this marker); St. John's Regional Medical Center (a few steps from this marker); Butterfly Garden and Overlook (a few steps from this marker); Joplin Tornado Memorial, Volunteer Tribute and Children's Memorial (a few steps from this marker); A Tribute to the Volunteers (within shouting distance of this marker); The Miracle of the Human Spirit - Joplin 2011 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Joplin.
Also see . . .
1. The Butterfly People of Joplin, Missouri. Mysterious Universe website entry (Submitted on March 28, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Butterfly Garden and Overlook. Explore Joplin website entry (Submitted on October 4, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 1, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,516 times since then and 198 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week May 27, 2018. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 4, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on October 2, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on April 1, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
