OKC Bombing Memorial

With the only element common to all three being that they are located in Oklahoma City, I am going to post three separate entries, one for each of the OKC sights we visited.

While there, we wanted to visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial on the site where the Alfred P. Murrah Building stood before being bombed on April 19, 1995. It is a touchingly simple and powerfully emotional memorial to the victims, their families, and all who were exposed to the horror of that day. I was deeply moved by its beauty and the symbolism of each of its elements.

This plaque stands to the side at each end of the Reflecting Pool.

                   Field of Empty Chairs

A remaining wall section of the original building.

Field of Empty Chairs                      

Looking west across the Reflecting Pool. The white statue of Jesus, And Jesus Wept, stands across the street on the spot where a Catholic church was nearly demolished by the blast. The Church built that but there is street construction so I couldn't get any decent shots of that touching and symbolic memorial. The second photo looks eastward across the Reflecting Pool.

Rescuers Orchard across the Reflecting Pool from the Field of Empty Chairs

The Survivor Tree

There is much information about this Memorial online with descriptions of the meaning behind each of the elements. The most poignant for me is the story about The Survivor Tree and how, to this day, they are using it to inspire hope in the face of horror wherever it occurs.

Lovin' Life ~~ Yet Remembering

  Bev