Oklahoma City Memorial

At 9:02 AM on April 19, 1995 the Alfred P. Murrah building in downtown Oklahoma City was destroyed by a truck bomb.  168 People died as the building collapsed.  Men women and children were killed.  Many more were injured not just in the building but in near by buildings and shops. This bombing was done by Timothy McViegh.  This was a time before terrorist had begun resorting to such violence.  The bombing changed the lives of many in Oklahoma City and across the country.

Inside the museum people are quiet.  The entire event from April 19, 1995 is relived from several perspectives.  A chronology of events is covered; news coverage, first responders, trained responders and various other angles, As we wondered through the museum many folks were holding back tears, us included.  Reliving the events of the day and weeks that followed was educational and difficult.

The city and state have built a memorial to honor those who died, those who survived and those who are recovering.  It is a solemn place.  As people walk thru the outside portion of the memorial they speak quietly, if at all.  The memorial is on the spot where the Murrah building once stood. There are 2 gates to the memorial.  The 9:01 gate represents time before the explosion and a simpler time.  The 9:03 gate represents a city and county healing and moving forward, forever changed, forever remembering but moving on.  The space between 9:01 and 9:03 is the memorial.

"We come 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."

901 Wall

Reflecting pool903 wall in distance

There are 168 chairs.  One for every person who died.  Each is identified the a victim's name.  Large chairs for adults, smaller chairs for children.

This is a very somber place.  The city has done a magnificent job with this memorial.  May all rest in peace.

Across the street is a second remembrance.

We left the area in quiet reflection, moved by what had happened and what we had seen.