Hamil Family Releases Statement After Losing 2 Sons In Piedmont Tornado

News9.com

PIEDMONT, Oklahoma -- One month after the deadly tornadoes struck Oklahoma, a Piedmont family who lost their two sons releases a statement on how they are coping.

On May 24, the Hamil family lost two children, 3-year-old Ryan and 15-month-old Cole. The boys along with their mother Catherine Hamil and five-year-old sister Cathleen huddled in a bathtub in the family's home when the May 24 tornado hit. The massive tornado was so strong it ripped the children from their mother's arms.

Emergency crews found Catherine, Cathleen and Cole and rushed them to the hospital. Cole died at the hospital. Catherine, who's five-months-pregnant, and Cathleen, both had to undergo surgery. Ryan's body was found days later near a pond.

Catherine Hamil released this update on how the family is doing, one month later:

"It has been one month since we have experienced the devastating loss of our two precious sons, Ryan Andrew and Cole Brendan. We are so proud of their bravery and courage they showed in the catastrophic tornado on May 24, 2011.

We are also very proud of our daughter, Cathleen Rose. She has shown a strength and endurance well beyond her years. She has endured injuries to her entire body that caused her great pain. Fortunately, since her last surgery for an infection, her pain has diminished to very little. She is also walking better everyday even though she has a laceration on her leg that is still trying to heal.

I endured injuries of a broken arm and dislocated hip, that both required surgery to fix. These injuries require months to heal, but with the constant help of my family my recovery is going well.

We are very thankful to all of family, friends and neighbors for all the endless hours and days they spent not only looking for Ryan, but helped recover and clean up our home and family items. We also are humbled by all the donations, meals, prayers and letters of encouragement and sympathy from all over the world. It touched our hearts deeply. We greatly appreciated all of the outpouring of support. We are truly blessed in our hour of need."

- Catherine Hamil

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