09:01, 19 Apr 1995, Domestic Terrorism struck Oklahoma City, OK, with the Bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. 168 individuals were killed, including 19 children, this memorial and museum honors them.
Yesterday, we all took a trip to downtown OKC, to visit the Memorial and Museum. It was cloudy, misting and very cold, but we had a very moving experience. The grounds consist of a Reflecting Pond with large walls at each end. A grassy area containing 168 bronze, stone and glass chairs, representing each victim. an Orchard, large Elm tree as well as the Museum itself.
The Field of Empty Chairs, each adorned with a Christmas Wreath for the holidays.
The Museum is housed in the building that was across the street from the Federal Building, it also sustained substantial damage from the blast.
The museum is very well done and the displays bring out many different feelings as you walk through it. Above is a collection of key chains recovered from the rubble. There are several displays showing a collection of items found at the site, toys, watches, etc. Very moving.
Stuffed toy found at the site. Remember there were 2 child filled Day Care centers in the building at the time of the blast.
The original flags that were flying at the Federal Building on that day.
Original damage sustained by the building which now house's the museum and made part of the exhibit.
The memorial grounds as seen from the museum.
Children's area in front of the museum. The tiles on the wall were given to the museum, each contains a child's hand print.
The Survivor Tree, A large Elm Tree which stood in the parking lot across from the Federal Building and now stands as part of the memorial.
Part of the original fence installed to protect the blast site, still stands as a place for people to leave mementos and well wishes.
It was good to see the Memorial and Museum and it evoked many different feelings in all of us. It's good to remember. We had a great visit, even if it was bitterly cold, burrrrrrrrrrrr. After the visit, t was home to a good hot meal and good conversation.
Until next time.....................we'll see you then.
Heartbreaking but well done to honor the victims.
ReplyDeleteI thought the Memorial was incredible when we were there. They gave so much thought to detail that it amazed me. I was especially amazed about the Survivor Tree. I recently read about it, again.
ReplyDelete"Cuttings of the Survivor Tree are growing in nurseries all over Oklahoma. Owners of landscape nurseries, arborists, urban foresters and expert horticulturists from across the state and country have come together to work and preserve this piece of history. None of these people have ever charged the Memorial for their work. Each year, the Facilities and Grounds crew at the Memorial provides Bays and the nursery men hundreds of seeds. They plant the seeds and distribute the resulting saplings each year on the anniversary of the bombing. Today, thousands of Survivor Trees are growing in
public and private places all over the United States."
Very sad day in our history. Thank you for your post.