OKC Bombing Memorial....

When we were scheduling our vacation, some time ago, we found out that the halfway point between Albuquerque and Chicago is between Tulsa and Oklahoma City.  After some discussion, a decision was made that we would stop for the night in Oklahoma City.  We reserved a room and prepared for the pool that was at the hotel.

I secretly was planning to visit the Memorial in Oklahoma City.  I still remember (somewhat) the bombing and how scary that was.  It still breaks my heart, more so now that I have kids, to think of the kids that died in this senseless act of violence.  I thought that taking my kids here would be a good thing for Olivia.  She's getting older and is starting to learn little bits and pieces about the world outside of her little sphere.  Not much - but things with her ruminate.

We got to OKC (I'm abbreviating because my fingers are already tired of typing the whole thing), fairly early and went straight to the pool.  After the pool, I Googled the location of the Memorial.  We were too late to go into the museum, but only about 6 or 7 blocks to the Memorial site.

It's hard to read, but the gates say "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."

We set off through the incredible heat (111 or so), walking to the Memorial.  We scouted out some possible dinner spots to try to placate the kids for awhile so that we could look around the Memorial.  We were using Tony's phone to find the landmark, and came upon the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Plaza.  We walked around but were not seeing what we thought should be the Memorial.  Then, we came to the edge and looked over.  We saw the chairs and found out where we were supposed to be.

We walked out and past the fence.  There are still flowers, stuffed animals, letters, photographs, all entwined in the chain link.  Olivia wanted to know what this was, and I explained that people left these here for the victims of this violence, to let them know that wherever they are, they are not forgotten.

We walked inside the 9:03 gate, and saw that the middle was cordoned off.  We later would learn that this is usually the serenity pool, but was needing some work done, so there was no water flowing right then.  We could see to our left, a seeming meadow with trees and a building next to that.  On the the right were the chairs, and straight ahead was the 9:01 gate.

The 9:01 Gate (the Survivor Wall is just to the right of the gate).  You can see the 9:01 over the door.

Tony found a pamphlet that told us what everything was.  The chairs symbolize the 168 lives lost in this act of violence, the little chairs symbolizing the 19 children that died.  There are 9 rows, one for each floor of the building, and the chairs are placed in each row based on the floor of which the person was working or visiting.

The gates symbolize the innocence of 9:01 (the blast was at 9:02 on April 19, 1995), the 9:03 gate is the time the city was changed forever.

It's kind of hard to see, but its the 9:03 gate.

There is a rescuer orchard to thank all the people that helped rushed in to help the victims.  

There is a children's area with chalk board side walk tiles so kids can still share their feelings.  This was placed here based on the outpouring of encouragement from other children across the globe.  There is also a wall of tiles that children painted and sent to OKC.  

The Chalkboards

There is a survivor tree and a survivor wall.  Both bearing the scars of the blast from the bombing.

The survivor tree

This memorial was very touching and emotional.  I didn't know anyone that died in that act in 1995, but I remember being so overwhelmed by why something like this should ever happen.  Being emotionally torn for the victims, and the survivors.  I still don't understand violence in any way shape or form, and was truly moved to see this Memorial.

*Since all pictures were taken on my phone, I'm linking up with Gfunkified for the #iPPP*