The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building Memorial

  The skyline of Oklahoma City looking across the Memorial Mall at the 168 empty chairs that represent those who were killed on April 19,1995.

"This American Elm was surrounded by a parking lot filled with burning vehicles on that day.  It survived the impact of the explosion and became known as the Survivor Tree, an important symbol of resilience to the family members of those killed, and also the survivors, rescue workers and people around the country.  Photographs of this tree date back to the 1920's when it stood in the backyard of a family's home.

 The Reflecting Pool

The morning had just started.  There were meetings taking place discussing state and  federal matters,  the day-care center was open and the children had arrived when an inconspicuous U Haul truck, parked beside the building, exploded.

"It was as if it was raining blood."

 

"All we know is these kids are hurt and somebody needs to tell them it's okay."

"We started digging with our hands.  You could hear her cries."

 

"Survivors' injuries range from minor to life threatening.  Some walk away with only scratches and bruises.  Many suffer permanent losses of vision and hearing.  Some receive multiple fractures or lose limbs.  Many require months of hospitalization, reconstructive surgeries and years of physical therapy.  

One federal employee suffers 40 broken bones, a punctured lung and shattered teeth.  She miraculously survives and endures years of rehabilitation."

The pictures of the damage were from newspapers of the day. 

"The bomb blast registers on a U.S. Geological Survey Richter scale 35 miles south of Oklahoma City and is felt across central Oklahoma.  Many people tune in to breaking news and expect to hear about a natural gas explosion or plane crash."

(Please be Aware--The following is very disturbing,  difficult to read and imagine, but illustrative of the horror of that event.)

DESPERATE MEASURES

Before the bombing, Daina Bradley, with her two small children, her sister and her mother, walks into the Social Security office.  Like thousands all across the country every day, they are there to pick up a Social Security card for a new son.

After the blast rescuers find Bradley trapped--her right leg pinned under a fallen concrete beam.  They supply her oxygen and begin removing debris in an effort to free her. ...The dig for nearly two hours.  Despite all attempts they determine it is impossible to move the beam.  To save her life, they must amputate her lower leg.

Orthopedic surgeon Andy Sullivan clears space under the leg and places a tourniquet....and begins the procedure.  His emergency tools fail.  He improvises and successfully completes a very difficult, through-the-knee amputation with his pocket knife.

Once free, Bradley is rushed to University Hospital.  She survives. Her two children and her mother are killed in the blast.  Her sister is severely injured.

 Seventy five minutes after the bombing, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Charlie Hanger notices a car with no license plate on I-35.  Hanger stops the car and becomes suspicious of the driver when he discovers a concealed handgun.  He charges Timothy McVeigh with a weapon offense.  It is two days later that McVeigh is charged with malicious destruction of federal property by means of an explosive.

 

On the day of his arrest McVeigh is wearing a t-shirt that bears the Latin phrase on the front  that reads, "Sic Semper Tyrannis"..."Thus always to Tyrants."  The same phrase was yelled by John Wilkes Booth when he assassinated President Abraham Lincoln.

The back of the T-shirt is printed with words used by President Thomas Jefferson: "The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants." 

 

168 innocent people Killed

600 Injured

My reflections:  The reason McVeigh gave for the bombing was as revenge for the Waco disaster.  He thought this would start an uprising against the government. 

As I walked through the museum and memorial I thought there had to be a way to stop this needless (and homegrown) terrorism.  I have the following suggestions:

1.) Terrorists (political, religious, disgruntled employees, jealous husbands, etc) are to instantly lose their names when they become suspects.  The names should be changed legally to John Doe #1 (Timothy McVeigh) to John Doe # 456 (Stephen Paddock). Their names may be legally changed back if they are ever found to be not guilty.

2.) Their true names and photos are never to appear in any media.  Since publicity is what drives many of the terrorists I believe we should not give them any at all.  Any media source that publicizes name, photo or any diatribe from the suspect is charged with 'aiding and abetting a terrorist.'

Okay, I know this is probably unconstitutional but if we truly want to stop the mass killings then we need to consider how many are copycats that want publicity for their causes.

And speaking of drastic, consider this--(it would only affect gun violence and not bombings but most mass killings are with guns).  There is an invention that the NRA does not want on the market.  It is a device that fits on a gun and prevents the gun from being fired except with only one specific fingerprint.  I think all guns should be manufactured with such a device--and the fingerprint should only belong to a woman! After all, how many mass murders have been performed by women? 

(You are welcome.)