ENTERPRISE, Ala. (AP) — Not a dry eye was seen in the Performing Arts Center at Enterprise High School.

Wednesday marked the 10th anniversary of the EF4 tornado that ravaged the city of Enterprise, taking with it the high school, numerous homes, businesses and the lives of eight high school students and one resident. Members of the community affected by that tragedy on March 1, 2007, gathered to honor the lives that were taken and remember the strength and resiliency of the community in the following days, months and years.

Enterprise Mayor Kenneth Boswell recalled a city that was gripped by fear and sorrow opened its hearts to others selflessly and without question.

“The best way we could honor the nine precious lives we lost that day was to fight back and to rebound,” Boswell said. “I believe the remarkable recovery of this community has memorialized those lives.”

Megan Parks Sims, Student Government Association president in 2007, remembered former President George W. Bush coming to the school to witness the devastation and reminding him not to step on the treasured mosaic tile Wildcat that was still intact at the school.

The former president took the time to send a heartfelt video message as well, letting Enterprise know that it hadn’t left his thoughts.

“You rebuilt, you survived and you thrived,” Bush said. “In so doing you honor the lives taken from you and comfort their families and remind us all what the best of America looks like.”

Former Enterprise school superintendent Jim Reese shared countless stories of heroism, courage and determination that he said defined the faculty, staff and students of the system that he loved.

“Even with the tears and with the grief, when I saw the resolve in the faces of our employees I knew that we were going to be OK,” Reese said.

Rick Rainer, Enterprise High School’s principal on the day of the tornado, spoke with unabashed tears, saying they were just memories rolling down his face.

“We all carry the memories in our own way,” Rainer said.

He spoke of the thousands of people that stepped in to help from first responders in the city and around the state, to schools across the state, business owners and even a young boy from North Carolina across the country who broke his piggy bank to send his $3.96 to the school.

“We always appreciate the love and support given to us,” Rainer said. “I thank all of you for what you did and what you continue to do.”

The night was also filled with music from 2008 EHS graduate Stewart Halcomb, who found that music can help heal others and defined his choice in pursuing music as a career. The Enterprise Encores lifted their voices to celebrate the lives of those tragically lost and former EHS teacher Chris Duke brought his guitar to the stage in remembrance.