May 18, 2000

	We are out on some little heard of road in Brady, Nebraska.  We have 
been trailing the damage path of one of the tornadoes that hit here 
yesterday.  Though reports of an F4 are circulating, we tend to think the 
damage is more indicative of a strong F1.  Most of the damage was rooves, 
power lines, trees... except for the home of Sue Taylor.  We're at Sue's now, 
and her home collapsed in last night's tornado here.  One out building 
remains somewhat intact, but the house is totalled. Sue lost the house and 
everything in it, as well as her cars.  Other than some stitches and a black 
eye, you would never know that Sue had just lost everything she owns.  She's 
walking around, taking tally, adding up what can be saved, and the only thing 
that is haunting her is that her cats litter of kittens was swept away.
	Sue and her daughter were in the front of her house.  The first 
indication she had of the torndo was looking out her front window and seeing 
it right across the street.  They had no time to make it to the basement...
and in this case, it was a good thing, as the house collased INTO the 
basement.
	 Unfortunately, Sue had no insurance.  Her loss is a total.  We're 
taking up a collection for her amongst us now, but I'm going to ask anyone 
who feels so inclined to help this lady out.  I just spoke with Deb Bertrand, 
the Emergency Management DIRECTOR here, based in North Platte, NE.  Please 
send any donations to:

Deb Bertand
715 South Jeffers
North Platte, NE   69101

and mention that they are to help out Sue Taylor in Brady, NE.

	This is the somber side of what we do.  Sue was an animal lover, and 
though most of her livestock remains intact, their food, her milking supplies 
and everything she needs to maintain them is gone.  Brian is writing out a 
SUBSTANTIAL check from our chase funds even as I speak, and a few of the 
others guys (Allan, Geoff, Bill Steigerwald and Bill Tabor) are putting 
together some cash. I'm braving knee-high grass and snakes to try to find the 
surviving or wounded animals that might be out there.
	One cannot observe the scene laid out before us without being moved.  
We felt it was a right and good thing to help whatever way we coud. Kinda 
makes me think we were there for more than just the storms... kinda like 
drawn there for a higher purpose.  At any rate, we were there at the time, 
and we did what was right... and what felt good.  Hopefully others will be 
moved to do the same.
	We've been here for a few hours now, but we've done what we could and 
are pulling up stakes to move back into Kansas.  
	A late breaking update... the kittens were found, alive.  It's 
absolutely amazing how this one tidbit of news has had such an elating effect 
on all of use that have been here for a few hours.  Almost like a little 
celebration... EMS workers, the people from the Salvation Army Disaster 
Relief team, the guys from the light and power company, MESO; everyone is 
smiling.  Maybe every dark cloud does have a silver lining....even when that 
dark cloud is a tornado.

Nancy Bose

MESO     (www.mcwar.org)