Oklahoma City National Memorial Blog

A majority of Americans participating in a recent WE Media/Zogby Interactive Poll (55%) believe bloggers are important to the future of American journalism and 74% say citizen journalism will play a vital role.

With the advent of cell phone cameras, blogs, YouTube, social networking and personal web sites, individuals can contribute their version of the news anytime, anyplace.

What responsibilities – legal, moral, ethical – do citizen journalists have for providing fair and credible reporting?  Professional journalists adhere to a code of ethics to ensure integrity in their work.  For example, seek truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently and be accountable are the basic tenets of the Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics.  The Media Bloggers Association promotes honesty, fairness and accuracy, transparency, accountability and trust, and respect for the privacy of private citizens.

Do you think citizen journalists should have a code of ethics? What should be included in a citizen journalist code of ethics?

When I was 15, I took a trip with my family to explore National Parks in the western United States during our summer vacation. I can tell you that at the time, this did not sound like an exciting adventure for a teen with an attitude who was far more concerned with boys and the possibility of a first car. We stopped at every historical marker between Oklahoma and Wyoming and back again. I did my very best to act unmoved, uninterested and just plain bored out of my mind. Truth is, I learned more about the history and beauty of this nation than I ever had in any history class. And, although I would never admit it, it was something I have never forgotten

I see teens everyday who have that same unmoved, uninterested mask on their face. Don’t be fooled. Underneath that facade is a kid who wants to spend time with his or her family, who is intrigued by experiences that give them a piece of the collective history that is the fabric of this nation, who IS learning the important lessons without telling you.

Those teens are changed by their experiences here, and tomorrow they will change the world in which they live because of it. So, don’t be afraid to pack up the kids and hit the road this summer to explore the historic sites and events that made America what it is.

Nancy Coggins
Director of Marketing

Science Processes and Inquiry. . . . Not the typical subject area PASS Objectives associated with a field trip to the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. However, students from Tulsa’s Carver Middle School were at the Memorial today applying the lessons they have learned in science to understand the impact of violence.

Through a tour of the Museum, students observed what happened on April 19, 1995, and measured the effect in a variety of areas. Evaluating data allowed them to develop reasonable explanations or predictions as to why the bombing occurred, process data from the FBI’s OK Bomb investigation exhibit to form hypotheses, and gather ideas from which they would either accept or reject their hypothesis. Studying properties and physical changes, students could see what caused the explosion in a scientific way.

Finally, in a First Person – Stories of Hope presentation by FBI Bomb Technician Barry Black, students learned about the initial investigation of the blast, how the FBI knew immediately it was caused by a bomb and not a gas explosion, and other methods of scientific inquiry that were used to solve the crime.

“The Memorial really gives you a personal view of what happened. I didn’t know all of the details of what happened and its effects, but now I have a better understanding of how it affected people and their feelings.”
                                                                                                                              Peter, 8th grader
Lynne Roller
Deputy Director

After the ceremony remembering the 1995 bombing of the Murrah Building, I stopped to reflect on the many ceremonies that made up that day – some formal, some individual, but all personal and moving in their own way.

One such was the “Last Roll Call” conducted by members of the United States Marine Corps in honor of two Marines killed in the bombing, Captain Randolph A. Guzman and Sergeant Benjamin L. Davis.  In a tradition as old as the American Civil War, this event, which began as a method for the First Sergeant to account for unit members after combat, has become a final tribute paid by Marines and other soliders to their fallen members.  The First Sergeant three times calls out the name and rank of the assembled unit, including the fallen Marines, and reports to his commanding officer,  “All Marines present or accounted for.”

In this meaningful and sometimes painful ceremony, a rich tradition continues. It is about history, personal accountability, remembrance and hope.  In accounting for each and every person, the tradition emphasizes that all members of this brotherhood will be accounted for, remembered and never forgotten. As the Marine motto says, ‘Semper Fidelis.’  Always faithful.

Leon Gillum
Director of Security
USMC ’62-’65

Today we wrap up one incredible month. April is a time of remembrance and renewal: vowing never to forget, but making sure people who come here understand the hope that transcended out of the horror. This year, we marked the 13th anniversary and as I have looked around at various events we have hosted this month I saw some faces of those who have been with us each step of the way. These are not just families of those lost or survivors and rescuers, but also faces of our community. I also saw new faces of those who have now stepped up to help guide this institution as we move forward. It is by honoring our past and planning for our future that we see the stories of those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever come to life.

As the Redbuds blossom, the grass gets green, the trees bud to fill the Rescuer’s Orchard, we are reminded of the season of renewal. This is a time to recommit to our mission and our plan to teach one visitor at a time the lessons learned on this site. I am thankful for a staff and a Board of Trustees that understand our mission and know that Oklahoma City stands as a symbol of hope for our nation. I am pleased that our elected officials are proud of what they have helped us build in the center of our city. I am grateful for a community that supports our efforts at home and when we reach across the world to share what we have learned. This Memorial & Museum stands as a symbol of strength and it is your story.

If this story still scares you and you have not made the trip to come and see what we are doing, you are missing out. Make a commitment to yourself that you won’t let another Spring come to an end before you walk through this Museum and see how the people of Oklahoma dealt with the worst act of domestic terrorism on American Soil. Then, step out to the beautiful outdoor symbolic Memorial and understand that in one minute our lives can change and how we deal with it is up to each of us.

Thank you for making the pledge to never forget!

Kari Watkins
Executive Director

Wow, what a month! As I look back on the month of April and the events that took place I truly do feel blessed and honored to be associated with such an incredible group of people who truly display the passion and understanding of the Mission of the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Beginning with our Executive Director Kari Watkins, our Deputy Director Lynne Roller, our Board of Trustees, our department directors, our staff, our security officers, our volunteers, all of these amazing people put in timeless energy and work to make sure that the tragedy of April 19, 1995, never will be forgotten.

The Remembrance Ceremony was a beautiful and very emotional ceremony. It is always a time for us to Reflect, Respect and Remember. Bob Woodruff and his wife Lee did a wonderful job sharing their incredible story about the hope that comes out of a tragic event. The evening of the 19th ended with the Reflections of Hope Award dinner honoring the work and passion of some very amazing individuals. It was a great evening.

The end of the month we finish with last but certainly not least, The Marathon! What an event! The Pasta Party is such an inspiring evening, and a great opportunity to visit with family members, survivors and rescue workers. . I am impressed and amazed by the wonderful, wonderful volunteers both from the Memorial and the Marathon who tirelessly give their time for this event. Then of course, the day of the Marathon! What an amazing, amazing group of people who work on this event and plan it every year. Working at the Marathon Store was interesting, and I loved hearing the touching stories from so many runners. They ALL commented on how very special this event is because of what the Marathon symbolizes. I do so appreciate what they do for the Oklahoma City National Memorial and for the memory and honor of those who were killed in the Oklahoma City bombing.

Mary Eppler
Receptionist

The morning after the run in the rain – what an amazing event, our Memorial Marathon. I’ve covered all of the previous marathons, but this is the first one where I’ve actually been in that sea of humanity that gathers to reflect as they run. Prior to yesterday, the runners have always been tiny specs on a TV monitor flying 1500 feet overhead in Channel 4’s helicopter. I could see everything, but I couldn’t experience any of it. The rain didn’t wash away anyone’s enthusiasm and you could feel that as they ran past.

I was videotaping for the Memorial, trying to capture the swirl of events that make up the marathon. Technically, for all the camera guys, the rain is a pain. Electronics and water don’t mix, so everything has to be covered. You had to have a towel handy to wipe the water off the lens. Then, when you go inside to shoot something like the hundreds lined up for pancakes at First Church, poof – instant fog on the lens and viewfinder from the heat and humidity inside that wasn’t outside.

And no matter how hard you try, while photographing an event like the Marathon, you’re going to get in the way of people who have come to watch. At the finish line in particular ,there was a host of media clogged in one spot right in front of spectators with their own cameras. We have to be there to get those pictures that everyone will be looking at until next April. In a close area like the finish, we all need those images of the winners coming across. They are used promotionally and editorially for the benefit of the Marathon. Many are for broadcast, Web and print news outlets. We can’t get those up close and personal photos, the kind that really show the thrill of victory, when we are penned off to the side. Having said that, I am sensitive to trying to get my shots and stay out of the way but sometimes you can’t, so please don’t take it personally.

It never ceases to amaze me, the resilience of the human spirit. The wrong that was done to our city will never be completely righted. But as long as sixteen thousand hardy souls decide to run up to 26.2 miles in the rain and cold, the hope of healing will always linger.

Tony Stizza
Director of Video

I love it when it’s here, it’s actually relaxing. We’ve planned since September; we’ve counted, we’ve projected, we’ve sweated the details, we’ve made all the tough decisions, and now, what it is, is what it is.

I know we’ve missed something, we always do, but the wonderful thing about our organization, is the desire everyone has to honor their memories, and to not let our City or our State down. So when someone notices “the miss” we all know that whoever sees it first will be half way to fixing it before the rest of us know what it was.

As a third generation Oklahoman, raising a fourth generation here, I truly feel the “Pride of Oklahoma”, and love to see it in action. This is one of those rare occasions when you actually lay your eyes on it, and it’s in the form of more than 5000 volunteers, serving and loving it.

Chet Collier
Co-Founder and Race Director, Memorial Marathon

Nine years ago on a beautiful April morning, my friend and running partner, Chet Collier, and I were running along the streets of Oklahoma City during a training run. We were training to run in a marathon in another state. As we ran and talked, we were given a vision of an event that would honor the memories of those who died in the tragedy of April 19th, 1995, while at the same time, would celebrate the gift of life. That was the birth of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon.

Each year I am reminded in many ways of that vision and the message of hope and peace that the Memorial represents. The Memorial reminds us of loss and pain and sorrow associated with violence and hate, and it serves to keep us vigilant in our effort to create a world where violence is no longer an option. However, the Memorial also stands as a testimony to the value of life and the responsibility we each bear to make the world a better place.

This weekend will be special. This weekend the world will look in on our city and pay closer attention to us than usual. This weekend will be fun. Once this weekend is over though, each and every day is still special. Every day is a gift. Make each day count and you can make your whole life a celebration.

Thomas Hill
President & Co-Founder
The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon

April 25-27 will be the most exhilarating three days of the year for me – the weekend of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Bringing more than 16,000 runners plus their friends and families to downtown Oklahoma City, the Marathon is the culmination of a year’s work by the most outstanding group of volunteers anywhere. I’ve been on both sides of many special fundraising events, as a volunteer fundraiser and as a fundraising staff member, and have never seen commitment like I experience with the Marathon steering committee. These 20 or so folks have been volunteering for all six years I’ve been part of the Marathon and most of them for all eight years of the event. What they put together is an inspirational and world-renowned event. Runners World magazine has even named our race one of the 12 Must-Run Marathons in the world!

With great respect, those who were killed and those who survived are honored by those who come from around the world to be a part of this amazing race. Many will select the name of someone killed in the bombing and wear a special bib with that name on it to run in their honor. What I find remarkable is the fact that these folks fly across the globe and run 26.2 miles and the only thing they have to show for it is their racing bib and their medal. What I find incredible and heartwarming is how many of those folks, tired, hot, and with blistered feet, will then walk to the Field of Empty Chairs and lay that prized medal across the chair of someone they never even knew.

This is a labor of love. This is a celebration of life.

Stacey Weddington
Development Director