Guin plans memorial for 50th anniversary of the Super Outbreak

By Kathryn “Chazz” Hirschfeld
Staff writer
GUIN - The City of Guin will hold a special “50th Anniversary Guin Alabama Tornado Remembrance Service” next Wednesday beginning at 6 p.m. at the First Baptist Church.
The special April 3 memorial service will be held exactly 50 years to the date the horrific tornado struck the town and killed 25 residents.
Guin Assistant City Clerk Lorie Mayo, among other officials and volunteers, organized the event.
Mayo explained, “This service will be to recognize those who lost their lives in the tragic tornado that hit the City of Guin on April 3, 1974. This event forever changed the town of Guin. We will never forget those who lost their lives on that night.”
Guin Mayor Phil Segraves noted the event is open to the public.
“Everyone is cordially invited to attend,” he said. “We hope to join together for this remembrance service with and for those families who lost loved ones.
“We’ve learned a lot since 1974 and we need to apply the lessons from that terrible storm to now and always be weather conscious.
Renowned meteorologist James Spann will be the special guest speaker for the memorial service.

Wreaths to be placed morning
of April 3
On the morning of April 3, at 10 a.m., Marion County High School Beta Club Members will place a wreath at the Tornado Memorial located in the pocket park.
The students will then travel to the Guin City Cemetery to place wreaths on the graves of the tornado victims who are buried there. Other volunteers will be placing wreaths in other local cemeteries.
“We hope to have a wreath placed at every grave of the victims who lost their lives due to the storm,” said Mayo.
“The MCHS Beta Club will also help in recognizing the victims during the memorial service. We encourage everyone to attend. This will be a special time for our city.”