We will not Forget!

This past week we traveled to Oklahoma City for the Big 12 Basketball Tournament. Both the Baylor men and women played in the last time slot of the day - around 8:30 pm. So, to enrich the Baylor experience through life changing programs and services resulting in an integrated education known for leadership, service, Christian faith and the total development of students - we tried to make history come alive by taking the spirit squads to the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial on Thursday morning.



This first picture is of the memorial itself. It includes a reflecting pool that stretches between two walls. On one wall the time 9:01 which represents the time just before the bomb went off. The other wall has the time of 9:03 which represents the moment when life changed forever. The reflection pool stretches between so as to remind us to reflect on this moment that two Americans sought retribution through terrorism. Each chair represents one of the 168 people who died. The large chairs are adults, the small chairs are for children. Each chair has a base that has the individual name on it and lights up at night. The chairs are arranged in rows according to what floor they worked on so that it is easy for family and friends to find their loved one. This memorial is breathtaking both in the daytime and in the night. This is a beautiful memorial that stands for one of the most tragic events in American history.



What you see here is a wall of tiles made by schoolchildren around the country to show support of the survivors and family members of the bombing victims. What you cannot see are the tiles of slate/chalkboard on the floor in front to give others a chance to express themselves even today.



Finally, there are several engraved stones that form a wall of observation just outside the memorial museum. I like several of them because of what they say and moreover what they represent of the American Spirit. My reflections are varied. This is the fourth time I have visited the OKC Memorial site. The first time I went with someone whose mother was killed in the bombing...it was quite emotional. The second time I was with a friend from Kanakuk who was in OKC when the bomb went off. The last two times I went with students when we were there for a sports event. Each time I am reminded of the courage of Americans. Each time I am stunned by the generosity and empathy demonstrated by visitors. I am also in awe of the creativity of those who put so much thought into designing a lasting and meaningful memorial. I am proud to be an American...here is the inscription on the walls:

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.^®