(photos: JVG and Kristin Cook)
...and Jesus wept...
(on a recent cross-country roadtrip w/3 awesome people, we took the time to go to Oklahoma City and witness the Oklahoma City Memorial - we were all struck by the modern beauty of the memorial's design, and were moved by the solemnity of the whole experience...)
This statute depicting Jesus Christ stands across the street from the Oklahoma City Memorial, and serves to remind us of the great evil committed on 19 April 1995 when a domestic terrorist ignited a devastating bomb that cost 168 people their lives and injured nearly 700. What 2 atrocious men did was representative of the dangers of the extreme militia movement in the United States. In subsequent years, we have found that other types of religious and political extremism have also proven to be a great threat to innocent American citizens. When we cease to be able to view life and struggle from the viewpoints and life experiences of other people, other religions, other genders, and other political structures, then great loss seems to be the result. One must have no humanity left to be able to strike against unsuspecting civilians and at the same time be immune to the suffering and fallout from acts of unspeakable violence.
There are 2 black structures (the GATE of TIME) like this one in the photo. One has 9:01 inscribed on it and the other has 9:03. 9:01 am was the last peaceful moment before the blast and 9:03 am was the first moment of recovery from absolute devastation.
This building that now houses the Oklahoma City Memorial Museum was actually lifted off of its foundation when the blast occurred.
survivor tree - despite the impact of the Oklahoma City bombing, this tree actually managed not to die...
There is a chair to memorialize every person (man, woman or child) who lost his/her life that day. The chairs are located where the Murrah building once stood, and the chairs are arranged in 9 rows to represent the 9 floors destroyed. Each person's chair is on the row that corresponds to the floor where s/he was located when the blast occurred. Sadly, chairs that are half-sized are memorials for the babies and children who lost their lives. The chairs reflect light at night to serve as beacons of hope and understanding, perhaps a faith that this kind of violence can be abated or stopped altogether.
what remains of the original brick of the building - to me, the idea that any part of the building remains symbolizes the indomitable nature of good, and the power of understanding to defeat ignorance and hatred...
(photos: JVG and Kristin Cook)
