Mr. Ramby, Like alot of the mail I'm sure you've gotten, I was there also. I would like to share my story if I may.

On that fateful day, I was a young boy of 8 years old. We lived in the Arrowhead Subdivision.

That afternoon I was around the corner playing with some neighbor kids. I thought I could hear my Father calling me, so I ran back to the house. Thinking back now, there is no way I would have been able to hear him. I was too far away for a voice to have traveled in the afternoon noise. Besides, Dad had a very bad case of Toncilitis that day. Like I was saying, I went back home, and got through the door, just in time to answer the ringing phone. On the other end was my Mother. Mom was working, and told me she heard a bad storm was on the way. She told me to make sure the garage door was shut and stay inside. After I hung up the phone I settled down to watch The Dennis the Mennis Show. ( syndicated reruns) To this day I can vividly remember the electricity going out. I looked out the large picture window in the living room, and didnt have a clue as to what I was looking at.

Dad was asleep on the couch, so I woke him up to look. Dad looked and said to get into the bathroom. We sat on the floor, Dad had his back to the door and his feet pushing against the wall opposite the door. I remember as soon as we sat down the windows broke. Glass blew under the door, and the sound was tremendous. I know it really didnt take too long for the tornado to go past, but I do remember the converasation we had in the process. I could feel the cool air rushing under the floor through the crawlspace vents. I asked if we were flying. He said he wasnt sure, but he didn't think we were. He said the house was tearing apart. I asked him how he knew. He said he just knew it was.

When things calmed down we opened the door. The odd feeling I had, looking up the street from inside what once was my hallway is still with me today.

I think back often to that day. I think back and wonder what would have happened if my Dad hadn't been sick that day. Like alot of kids I stayed home by myself after school back then. I seriously doubt I would be able to tell you my story if I had been alone that day. I still live in Xenia, and wouldn't trade this town for any other.

Thanks for putting this site on the web. Please feel free to contact me. I would be more than happy to be of any help I can.

Sincerly Rick Hoag Xenia, Ohio

P.S. Your destruction photo # 9 was taken on Maumee Dr. in Arrowhead. I know the folks who owned that house. The lady standing in the yard off to the left is Marietta Stewart. The Ralph Stewart Family lived there at the time. Their Son incidently, lives right acrossed the street at present. The Yellow Volkswagen? Squareback sitting in the house was fairly new at the time. Ralph started it up, and backed it out of the house. Amazing the weird places things end up during a tornado.

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