SOMEWHERE IN HEAVEN, WINGS ARE TAKING FLIGHT
FLYING OVER A WORDLY WEIGHT OF HATRED
HANGING OVER A BUILDING IN THE RAIN*

Our recent drive to Tennessee was not a sight seeing trip, but since our route took us through Oklahoma City I really wanted to stop to see the Oklahoma City National Memorial dedicated to the victims and survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing of April 19, 1995.

Acts of violence are often difficult to understand, none more so than bombing of the Murrah Federal Building which killed 168 innocent people including 19 children in the building's day care center.

YOU GOT TO HEAVEN, BLOWN ACROSS THE SKY
CRYING OUT FOR THE ANGELS TO HELP YOU
TO RISE UP OUT OF THE ASHES AND THE FLAMES

The memorial is tastefully done. Two large gates frame a shallow pool. One is inscribed with the time 9:01, the other with the time 9:03. The bomb exploded at 9:02 and gates represent the City's transformation from innocence to horror. The pool covers what was once a parking lot, the spot where the truck containing the explosive was parked. It is only a couple of inches deep; the water moves slowly and is meant to have a calming effect.

Set inside the permimeter of what once was the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building are rows of empty chairs, one for each victim. This is partially framed by the remains of the building's foundation walls. The area where the foundation wall is most prominent is particularly heavy with emotion. Sadness and confusion permeate the air here; people sensitive to such things will not be able to linger at this spot.

FAR BELOW YOUR HEAVEN, HEARTS ARE WONDERING WHY?
WHY WOULD ANYONE HURT GOD'S CHILDREN
HOW COULD ANYONE HARM THEM AT ALL?

Outside of the 9:03 gate a chain link fence acts as an evolving memorial where vistors place objects, photos, poems and dedications to this day. The building next to the memorial houses a museum including photos of all of the victims. After touring the grounds, we couldn't bear to go inside. The exterior of the building stills shows the scars of the incredible blast which destroyed or damaged over 300 of the surrounding buildings.

WHILE YOU'RE IN HEAVEN, SLEEPING ON THE WIND
ASK YOUR HEART TO FORGIVE THIS EVIL
ASK YOUR SOUL TO FORGIVE US ALL

Overlooking the site is a stately American Elm, part of the original landscaping which somehow survived the blast and has become known as the "Survivor Tree".

My photos of the Oklahoma City National Memorial aren't especially good because frankly I was having trouble focusing my eyes. We found our way out of the city and back to the highway in silence. We were 20 or 30 miles down the road before we could talk much about what we felt there. I still don't understand the hatred that led to the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building. I'm not sure that I want to.

SEND ME HALF YOUR ANGELS
WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME
SEND ME HALF YOUR ANGELS
AND I'LL SEND YOU HALF OF MINE
HOPE THEY GOT THERE IN TIME, OKLAHOMA

*Lyrics by Graham Nash "Half Your Angels"

More info on the Oklahoma City Bombing at Wikipedia

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