Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial :: We Will Always Remember

Last Thursday, I took my two youngest daughters to the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial, a place we had never previously visited. Today, April 19, 2011, is the sixteenth anniversary of OKC bombing, a tragic and horrific event in world history. In honor of that day in 1995, and in honor of every person who was affected and forever changed because of that day — all of us, really — I would like to share some of the photos I took on our visit to the site. I took over 200 photos and edited 23 for posting here.

The 9:03 Gate and the Reflecting Pool

License Plate from the Ryder Truck Carrying the Explosives

What’s Left of the Murrah Building

Rubble and Belongings

Rubble and Belongings

Structural Damage

At 9:00, This Was a Men’s Bathroom

S.O.S.

Daina Bradley’s Story

Amputation Tools Used to Free Daina Bradley

Dress Up in the Children’s Area

Dress Up in the Children’s Area

Message Left by Search & Rescue Team 5 (Journal Record Building exterior)

9:01 Gate

9:03 Gate (Visitors place hands in Reflecting Pool water, then touch to gate)

9:03 Gate Overlook

Survivor Tree :: The Tree that Witnessed and Withstood the Tragedy

Survivor Tree (An American Elm)

Fence Outside 9:01 Gate

Chalkboards in the Children’s Area

Field of 168 Empty Chairs

Jesus Wept

9:03 Gate

The inscription reads, “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.”