OKLAHOMA CITY NATIONAL MEMORIAL (05/09)

On April 19, 1995, at 9:02 a.m., the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was bombed.  I was honored to visit this memorial for the 168 victims, the survivors, and the rescuers. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND that if anyone is any where near Oklahoma City, OK, that they visit the memorial and museum.  It is run by the National Park Service.

This is one of the most beautiful and gut-wrenching memorials I have ever visited.

This is the entrance. The inscription reads: "We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived, and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity."

The east gate represents 9:01 a.m., before the bombing. It signifies that the city was quiet, peaceful, and it was a beautiful day.

The west gate is inscribed with 9:03 when Oklahoma City was forever changed. There is a reflecting pool inbetween the two gates.

These chairs represent the 168 dead victims of the bombing (19 were children); each chair has a victim's name on the front. The ones for children are smaller.

This small one was particularly hard to look at. It belongs to a baby named Baylee. Her tiny, charred body being carried by a firefighter was pictured in newspapers all over the world.

The black granite to the left lists names of survivors of the bombing. The pathway was made from granite from the original building.

When they finally leveled the building, it was a mistake that this wall was left standing. But, they decided to use it in the memorial (a park ranger told me that).

This is the Survivor Tree. It is a 90-year-old American elm. Before the federal building was built, the area was a residential neighborhood. The tree survived the bombing and is a part of the memorial now. 

Rescuers' Orchard. These trees surround the Survivor Tree. They are a thank you to the thousands of rescuers and volunteers who helped.

These beautiful words by Team 5 are written on the outside of the Memorial Museum.

A church across the street was damaged. Instead of rebuilding it, the church created this "weeping Jesus". His back is to the memorial.

This is a fence around the building. For years people who visit the memorial have left their momentos.

Children's area. This wall was created from hand-painted tiles made by children from all over and sent to Oklahoma City.

Chalkboards on the walkway - children can come and draw and share their feelings.

The memorial takes on an entirely different look at night. The chairs and the east and west walls are lit up. It is beautiful.