Oklahoma City National Memorial

Oklahoma City National Memorial
Location:	Oklahoma , United States
Next city:	Oklahoma City
Surface:	25,300 m²
Founding:	October 9, 1997
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The Oklahoma City National Memorial is a United States national memorial commemorating the April 19, 1995 bombing of Oklahoma City . It was built in honor of the victims, survivors and rescue workers in downtown Oklahoma City on the site of the former Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building , which was destroyed by the attack.

The National Memorial was dedicated on October 9, 1997, two and a half years after the attack, by US President Bill Clinton at the suggestion of the Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation . The foundation collected donations and organized the construction. On April 19, 2000 - the fifth anniversary of the attack - the memorial was opened in memory of the victims and relatives of the attack and handed over to the National Park Service . The museum also opened on February 19, 2001. On January 23, 2004, President George W. Bush transferred the management of the memorial to the Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation , but the National Park Service continues to organize the tours and lectures on the grounds.

construction

The memorial is made up of eight parts over an area of 13,000 square meters .

Reflecting Pool in the foreground, behind the Field of empty chairs and St. Joseph's Cathedral.

Gates of Time and Reflecting Pool , Oklahoma City National Memorial.

Reflecting pool

A mirror of water can now be seen where 5th Street was once and Timothy McVeigh parked the car. Only a few centimeters deep, it is supposed to symbolize mental reflection.

Gates of Time

At both ends it is framed by the two “Gates of Time”. Both gates symbolically frame the moment of the explosion (9:02 a.m.). The time 9:01 is engraved on the north side. This time represents the last moment of peace. The second gate shows 9:03, the point in time from which the peace was broken, but the healing of the wounds of the attack had already started. Both gates also read 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 (German: “We have come here to remember those killed, survivors and those who were forever changed. May all who leave this place to see the effects of Knowing violence. This monument should offer consolation, strength, peace, hope and calm. ")

View through the Gates of Time and the Reflecting Pool .

Field of empty chairs

The "Field of empty chairs" is located on the former site of the Alfred P. Murrah Building, framed by the remaining foundation. 168 glass chairs arranged on a lawn symbolize the victims of the attack; The name of one of the victims is engraved on the glass base of each chair. The chairs symbolize the chairs that are now empty at the tables of the families of the victims. The chairs are arranged in 9 rows, corresponding to the 9 floors on which the victims were at the time of the explosion. At the western end of the field there are five chairs that stand for those people who did not perish inside the Alfred P. Murrah Building (2 people in the Water Resources Board Building, 1 person in the Athenian Building, 1 person outside the Building and one person who died in the rescue work).

Among the 168 glass chairs there are 19 smaller chairs, symbolic of the 19 children from the kindergarten in the building who died in the attack. 3 unborn died with their mothers; their names are engraved on the chairs under their mother's name.

On the remains of the foundation, which can be seen at the eastern end of the field, the names of the more than 800 survivors of the attack are engraved.

Survivor Tree

Another part of the memorial is the "Survivor Tree". This tree, an elm , was in the parking lot across from the building. The exact age of the tree is not known. However, the tree can already be seen in photos taken around 1907 (at the time the state of Oklahoma was founded), which is why the age is estimated to be at least 100 years.

The tree was badly damaged by the explosion, lost all leaves and was badly burned. Originally intended for felling in order to use the splinters and pieces of evidence that had been driven into the bark by the explosion for the police investigation, the tree was left to slowly die off to commemorate the attack. Contrary to all expectations, the tree recovered completely and today symbolizes the will to survive and the healing after the attack.

On a wall around the tree is the inscription The spirit of this city and this nation will not be defeated; our deeply rooted faith sustains us. (German: The spirit of this city and this nation cannot be defeated, our deeply rooted faith gives us strength).

The fence

There is a meter-long fence on the outer walls of the monument, which was originally set up to allow rescue workers to work undisturbed and to ensure that authorities can investigate undisturbed. On the same day, people left flowers, photos of the bereaved, letters with personal thoughts and the like on this fence. Many of these legacies can now be found in the Memorial Museum. Even today various things are and are still attached to it, which represent a symbol of hope; including number plates from various US states, cuddly toys, letters, photos and ribbons.

Childrens Area

In the days following the attack, many schools in the US and Canada sent hand-painted ceramic tiles to Oklahoma by students. The children expressed their thoughts and consolation on these tiles. A selection of these tiles is on a wall surface in front of the museum, right next to several boards, on which children can still express their thoughts and feelings about the attack.

And Jesus Wept

"And Jesus wept" statue

Opposite the memorial is a statue that was erected by St. Joseph's Catholic Church. It shows Jesus, covering his weeping face with his hand, turning away from the scene of the accident. St. Joseph's Church, one of the first stone churches in Oklahoma, was almost completely destroyed by the assassination.

The museum

In the museum there is a detailed account of the events of the day and the following. Findings bear witness to the horror that took place. In addition, the search for the perpetrators and motives is dealt with in detail.

Web links

Commons : Oklahoma City National Memorial - Collection of Pictures, Videos, and Audio Files

Website of the Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation (English)
National Park Service: Oklahoma City National Memorial (official site; English)