TORNADO STORIES - BRING BACK SOME 'BAD MEMORIES' Published June 29, 2008 By Readers Via e-mail -- Your cover story "Nowhere to Run" (March/April 2008 issue, page 8) brought back a lot of bad memories. When I was 4, I was at my grandparents' house in Illinois when a tornado demolished it. My grandparents had a cellar, so we were fine. But for the longest time I thought tornadoes were giant, scary monsters. It was a terrifying experience that still gives me chills to this day. Nevertheless, I'm glad you printed the story and the accompanying tips on how to protect yourself during a tornado. Too many people don't take Mother Nature seriously until it's too late. Hopefully, your article will get their attention and motivate them to make good emergency plans. Thank you for your efforts. Sgt. Sandra Gabel Army Reserve ------------------------------------------------------ Your tornado cover story was good right up until the photo on page 14. Then I saw the image of the nurse sticking her finger in the hole on the back of the injured tornado victim's neck and wanted to throw up. The story had already grabbed my attention. Then that photo, which was at the end of the article, kind of turned me off. Was it really necessary to be so graphic? It seems at that point you were just going for shock value. J.R. Martinez San Diego ------------------------------------------------------ "Nowhere to Run" was an excellent article. I picked a copy of Torch up at the base dental clinic while waiting for an appointment and couldn't put it down. When my name was called to get my teeth cleaned, I had to sneak a copy so I could finish the story. I give my "props" to those people for sharing their harrowing experience after all they've been through; although, it makes me glad I don't live in Alabama or anywhere that tornadoes are a big threat. Krystal D'Angelo Via e-mail