“God bless West, Texas” (West, Texas slogan)

The city of West, Texas, had an explosion at the West Fertilizer Plant on April 17, 2013; at least 15 people died and 200 were injured. The slogan “God bless West” was printed on many items, such as signs and T-shirts.
 
The saying “God bless(ed) Texas” is a familiar one that has been popularized in song. As early as April 18, 2013, a “God Bless Texas” poster was amended to read “God Bless West, Texas.” A Los Angeles (CA) Times story on April 21, 2013, was titled “‘God bless West’ T-shirts show Texas spirit in the face of tragedy.” U.S. President Barack Obama spoke at a memorial service on April 25, 2013, and the following part of his speech was published on the White House website:
 
“God bless West.  (Applause.)”
 
 
Wikipedia: West, Texas
West is a city in McLennan County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,807. It is named after T.M. West, the first postmaster of the city.

The city is located in the north-central part Texas, approximately 70 miles south of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and 20 miles north of Waco.
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2013 explosion
Main article: West Fertilizer Company explosion
An explosion at the West Fertilizer Plant on April 17, 2013, leveled several blocks of the town and caused fires to spread across several more blocks. The explosion was measured by the United States Geological Survey as a magnitude 2.1 earthquake, occurring at 7:50 p.m. CDT (00:50:38 UTC, April 18).[14] Everyone within 1 mile (1.6 km) of the fertilizer plant was evacuated while fire fighters from multiple communities brought the fires under control. There were at least 15 fatalities, including five firefighters, and approximately 200 people injured.
 
Farmville Freak
FarmVilleFreak.com Sends Thoughts & Prayers to West, Texas!
Posted on April 18, 2013 8:48 pm by FarmVille Freak FarmGoddess
(A “God Bless West, Texas” poster is shown—ed.)
We are saddened by the devastating events that took place yesterday in West, Texas when a fertilizer plant exploded and wreaked havoc on the small town.
 
FarmVilleFreak.com sends all our thoughts and prayers to the community of West, Texas and we are thinking of you in this difficult time and sending all our love and support.
 
HomeNet
Posted on April 19, 2013
God Bless West, Texas
We are saddened by the devastating events that took place yesterday in West, Texas when a fertilizer plant exploded and wreaked havoc on this small town.
 
Los Angeles (CA) Times
‘God bless West’ T-shirts show Texas spirit in the face of tragedy
April 21, 2013|By Rick Rojas
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It’s been four days since the fire and explosion at a fertilizer plant on the outskirts of West killed 14 people, injured scores more and damaged and destroyed neighborhoods, with half of the city still cordoned off. Residents of just a few blocks of that area were allowed brief visits home to collect possessions and check on their property.
 
On Sunday, residents filled the town’s churches. People have been wearing “God Bless West” T-shirts and rubber bracelets made in the aftermath proclaiming “God Is Big Enough.”
     
The White House
For Immediate Release April 25, 2013
Remarks by the President at Memorial Service—Waco, TX
University of Baylor
Waco, Texas
3:54 P.M. CDT
THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you so much.  Thank you.  Please.  Thank you, Senator Cornyn, Governor Perry, President Starr, gathered dignitaries, the community of Baylor and Waco—most of all, the family and the friends and neighbors of West, Texas.
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God bless West.  (Applause.)  May God grant His peace on those that we’ve lost, His comfort to their families.  May He continue to bless this great state of Texas, and may He continue to bless these United States of America.
END 4:11 P.M. CDT
 
NBC News
25 Apr 2013 5:23pm, EDT
‘America needs towns like West’: Obama thanks Texas fallen at memorial
By Elizabeth Chuck, Staff Writer, NBC News
President Obama, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, and firefighters from across the country were among those who paid tribute at a packed memorial service to the victims of a Texas fertilizer plant blast that killed 14 people on April 17, many of whom were first responders.
 
The deadly plant explosion decimated part of the small Texas city of West, with a population of only about 2,800. More than 200 people were injured in the blast; 12 who died were volunteer firefighters.
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The large crowd inside Baylor was dotted with people wearing T-shirts that read, “God bless West.”
 
CNN.com
Town devastated by fertilizer explosion is guided by the West way
By Jessica Ravitz, CNN
updated 4:04 PM EDT, Sat April 27, 2013
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Folks wear T-shirts bearing slogans like “God bless West.”
 
The Brookhaven Courier (Brookhaven College, Dallas, TX)
West thrives, rebuilds
Posted on May 16, 2013
By Scott Mitchell
(Photo caption—ed.)
Photos by Kathy Tran, Scott Mitchell Earl Ward | A handmade “God bless West” sign serves to raise the spirits of those in the area.