A New Beginning | Video

Jenny Castro | 6/22/2012

One year ago, the flood sirens sounded in Minot. That cast a spirit of gloom over the community. However, the mood was much different today. People were in high spirits with the re-opening of Oak Park, followed by a moment of silence to commemorate that haunting sound from the past.

A sound that thousands of Minot residents will never forget.

"It was like a steak in the heart, it was tough. It was tough, really tough because it would be that memory where you were, you know. Kind of reminded people of 9/11, it really was. It was kind of that moment,” said Dawn Rasmussen, a flood victim.

"My stomach just felt absolutely hallow," said Linda Alexander of Minot.

"It was scary," said Sherri Burgess.

"Pretty sad, pretty sad," said Anadre Burgess.

One year ago, it was the start of devastating loss in the Minot community.

"It feels like a dream, that you just, it doesn`t feel real it doesn`t feel like reality,” said one Minot woman a year ago.

"You hate to admit defeat at any time, but as far as our permanent dike, it can`t handle the kind of water that we`re going to see," said Mayor Curt Zimbleman last year.

Today, there were many smiling faces, the celebration of a new start with the re-opening of Oak Park and also looking back on how a community came together and stayed that way through a disaster.

"This shows our resilient spirit and dedicated drive to make the best out of what has been a horrible situation," said Zimbleman on Friday.

The sight of kids playing outside at a park wasn`t very common last summer and after today many feel like there are much better times to look forward to in Minot.

"I’ve had a lot of heartache in my life many different ways and I just think that this is the beginning of, just starting all over again and trying to move on,” said Sandi Larson, Minot flood victim.

As the community moves on, it`s hard not to get emotional when thinking back on all the instances that people helped each other out.

"To the many volunteers who have dedicated their time and energy to this park, thank you, thank you for coming," said Zimbleman.

A moment of remembrance for a heartbreaking catastrophe, and the start of a hopeful summer.

The Weekend of Hope will continue Saturday at Oak Park with the Rebuild the Magic 5K walk/run at 9:00 a.m. and a celebration in the park for families from 11:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.

COMMENT ON THIS STORY

BACK TO NEWS | BACK TO MINOT STORIES