A Visit to Murrah!

Every person in the state of Oklahoma was adversely affected by the Murrah bombing. Most of us have been by that building, dozens of times before it was bombed. Marcella was home those few weeks recovering from an operation, and she taped all of the television reports on the bombing that she could. We did not go up there right after the bombing, but journeyed up there several months later. This summer, I went up there to take a picture of the Downed Police Officer Monument by the police station, which has my guitar buddy, Warren Tooman, who was killed in the line of duty. While there, I took some digitals of the bomb area. I submit these here, so you can see them. You will be able to see the monument that Warren's name is on, as well. As I work on this, I will also include some more thoughts on bombing in the future.

 *.... NEW PICTURES

Changes at the Murrah site, moved the fence from the north part of the Murrah building. We visited the day after Thanksgiving. When we were there, there were probably over 200 people there. I took pictures to put on this page. You will see the Journal Record Building, two churches, and the YMCA. Plywood windows represents buildings that suffered from the bomb.There are so many buildings with windows out, still, that it would be impossible to get all of them photographed. Can you count all of the plywood windows in these pictures? Notice the teddybears, the pictures of loved ones on the fence, and t-shirts. The northern fence has been moved to the west side of the next block north.

Just after the Murrah building was blown down, a small chapel was built east of the old Murrah location, to accomodate the throngs that pilgrimaged to the site. Neat, neat little chapel. Well, ... it has been moved closer to the Murrah building's location. You will see those pictures in this group. As we walked along the fence, few visitors, if any, spoke. I saw one lady crying and her male friend comforting her. I am also posting some closeups of the "Crying Jesus" statue. After we visited the site, we drove about 6 or 7 blocks away and ate at Big Ed's hamburger place. All south windows on that building were blown out as well. Bone and Joint Hospital is located across the street, and they played a pivotal roll in caring for the Murrah Bombing wounded.

Look over the pictures and meditate on how "Hate for the Government" whether it is the physical government, the buildings, and yes, even for the "Government Schools", can and will get into the wrong brains of the deranged and the Murrah Bombing is evidence. Those who venomize "Public Education" as "Government Schools" are contributing to the hate mongers

Of course, the Murrah Memorial is up and has had nearly a 1/2 million visitors by now. You cannot fathom the depth of it unless you make a personal visit. But, you can find here a tour of the new facility by clicking on the tour pictures below.

Sorry, I cannot give you any pictures inside the facility. Suffice it to say, it is a moving and emotional experience. They put you in groups and you get to experience what it was like when the bomb blew up. Nothing is said of the bomber. The cost of admittance is 7 dollars. It is a PG thing. Most families go through the display silently, just as they entered. It takes about an hour to do such an injustice, ... justice, ... if that is possible. I urge you to go through it. The last time we were up there, a lady from Waco, a survivor of the Branch Dividians, was there, and she caused a ferver with her bumper stickers. We had 27 people go into the elevator together and experience the museum. That is the way they do it, in groups of a couple of dozen. If, ... you are in Oklahoma, the Murrah Museum should be a focal point. Brouse the exhibit which includes lots of videos and computers. Hopefully, nothing like this will happen again. I had a cousin who would have been in the Social Security office at 9:00 AM, but her daughter just seemed not to be able to get her self together to be there that soon. The rest is history.