Oklahoma City, OK Memorial
As we drove around Oklahoma City, it’s so very different from Houston. The freeways aren’t crowded with banners and signs, but more so open fields and natural beauty. The people were friendly, the sights were memorable, and they have some pretty good mexican food! After eating in Bricktown one evening, we decided to drive around to the area where the infamous Oklahoma City bombing took place.
April 19, 1995, at 9:02 am, one hundred and sixty eight men, women & children lost their lives due to terrorism. An incredibly sad thing. I remember seeing this on the news, but when you actually see the place that these events take place, it becomes much more real and close to home. The only thing worse than a foreign terrorist is one born American.
There is something so serene about these types of memorials. This happened almost 16 years ago, and still, you see little trinkets of love, memory and tribute that people have found a way to clasp to the chain link fence that stood originally after the bombing occurred. You read the messages, see the lanyards, smile at the pictures drawn by children and delicately touch the keychains that people leave in tribute of their visit. I only saw this at night, but I imagine that during the day, the place is only more beautiful. The memorial is open 24/7. You enter from one side or the other, both begin with a massive double paned wall. One inscribed with the time 9:01, the end of innocence for the city. The other, 9:03, for the beginning of healing. In between these two walls lays a body of water about a football field long. On the side, you see the chairs, one for each person who lost their lives. The small chairs represent the children. Across the water stands the survivor tree that represents hope for the city. It was so peaceful, and so sad. I said a prayer for all of the families that still undoubtedly grieve over this loss and also gave thanks to the architects who put so much thought into the design of this beautiful memorial.
(C)Bella Photography Tx 2011
(C)Bella Photography Tx 2011
(C)Bella Photography Tx 2011
(C)Bella Photography Tx 2011
(C)Bella Photography Tx 2011
