Memorial Day tornado aftermath affects Fourth of July celebrations in some communities

The Fourth of July is a time for people to celebrate the nation’s independence with family and friends.

But this year, many are still picking up the pieces from the 15 Memorial Day tornadoes.

News Center 7’s Monica Castro learned that Beavercreek, which unlike at least one other community, is moving forward with its Fourth of July festivities, including fireworks, to hopefully take everyone’s minds off all the damage for a day.

“It’s a day with family, we are grilling out, we are coming out to the parade, to see the fireworks,” which Beavercreek resident Susan Rayber said is the highlight of the holiday.

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The city hosts an annual display, and this year despite all the devastation from the tornado outbreak, it will go on with the show.

“It’s just a great family day where everyone comes together with a great community spirit,” Rayber said, “so I definitely understand them going forward with that.”

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The holiday celebration will be a unity call to the community to rally around one another, Beavercreek City Manager Pete Landrum said.

“Every holiday after a disaster like that it reminds us how precious a community and life is. It will be somber, but we will be celebrating together, which is vital for this area,” he said.

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But in Trotwood those looking forward to Fourth of July fireworks will have to wait.

This is disappointing for Bill O’Brien, who said: “People here have taken a big hit and I think they need a little bit of something beside the hot weather to take their mind off what they have been going through.”

Trotwood City Manager Quincy Pope Sr. said the celebration will be postponed until September.

“We’re still in the restoration and recovery phase right now, which is why we’ve decided to do our fireworks show during our annual Family Reunion weekend,” he said.

For those living in Trotwood, mark your calendar for the city’s fireworks display on Sept. 27.