April 19 is the Day of Remembrance in Oklahoma City. On this day in 1995, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was blasted into infamy. Until 9/11, this was the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil.
A plaque on the site today offers words of healing:
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.
April is National Poetry Month, a fitting time to remember this tragedy in a poem. The following tribute is from a visit to Oklahoma City National Memorial soon after its dedication in 2000.
Lest We Forget by Don Mathis
You pass through the portal
and squint against the sun,
the time, forever, 9:01.
and squint against the sun,
the time, forever, 9:01.
A twin portal stands on
the other side of the street
forever reading, 9:03.
In between is the minute
that never should have been
in 1995, April 19.
A pool for reflection,
inches shallow,
infinitely deep in its sorrow.
Walkways to nowhere,
infinitely deep in its sorrow.
Walkways to nowhere,
no destination,
lead anyone, quickly,
to quiet contemplation.
The power of the empty chair -
think of those who are not there
at the dinner table, the office
-- those we miss.
Imagine, 168 empty chairs
such as this.
Glass shards and stone
once showered a tree.
It gives me hope to see those leaves.
It's still alive, still survives,
a symbol of the will of the people.
A chain link fence is not a barrier
it's a carrier -
a link to the memory of many
to leave a possession,
to release an emotion.
lead anyone, quickly,
to quiet contemplation.
The power of the empty chair -
think of those who are not there
at the dinner table, the office
-- those we miss.
Imagine, 168 empty chairs
such as this.
Glass shards and stone
once showered a tree.
It gives me hope to see those leaves.
It's still alive, still survives,
a symbol of the will of the people.
A chain link fence is not a barrier
it's a carrier -
a link to the memory of many
to leave a possession,
to release an emotion.
A fireman's helmet is hung
faded and bleached in the sun,
emblazoned,
faded and bleached in the sun,
emblazoned,
"We will never forget you,"
and signed by a team
that performed the rescue.
and signed by a team
that performed the rescue.
A teddy bear brings a tear
for the children that were here.
for the children that were here.
On the fence flowers are tied.
Dozens have died.
Thousands have cried.
Dozens have died.
Thousands have cried.
On the next block,
granite blocks of black
symbolize the children
who will never come back.
granite blocks of black
symbolize the children
who will never come back.
A statue stands, "Jesus Wept."
This is, after all, the Bible Belt.
Chips and stones from the destruction
now line the paths, their journey done.
Someday,
the feet of grief may stop their step.
But the Murrah Memorial
will still be here
Chips and stones from the destruction
now line the paths, their journey done.
Someday,
the feet of grief may stop their step.
But the Murrah Memorial
will still be here
Lest We Forget.
