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?

Neither rain, nor wind, nor raging storms will deter our visitors to the Oklahoma City National Memorial!

I recently gave an early morning tour to a group of professionals (teachers, nurses) from Kansas that gather for meaningful trips around the United States on their motorcycles. This group drove into to Oklahoma City during an evening of extreme weather that we sometimes experience during late spring and summer. These visitors braved 50-60mph winds, driving rain and large hail, but never considered turning back from their Memorial destination! We discussed the eighth annual Education Summit, educational programs and school tours. After visiting the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial, they toured the Museum and told about the excellent content and moving experience.

After a final look around, they once again boarded their bikes for the long trip back home.

Come here and experience the reason that we continue to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

Leon Gillum
Director of Security

The gym was stifling and we were losing. As I walked out to the concession table, wondering if my son’s basketball team should have made this expensive tournament trip, I noticed something familiar. The slightly diminutive gentleman selling the drinks was wearing a Memorial Marathon commemorative shirt from this year’s race.

Of course I stopped to visit, forgetting about the carnage next door and wondering how that shirt got to Lindsborg, Kansas — Norman Rockwell with wheat fields and high sky. As it turned out, this fellow has run many marathons and this year both he and his son made it a priority to make the Memorial Marathon. He’s from Lindsborg but his son is working on his PhD at the University of Oklahoma. They met and raced, running headlong into what for him was a wonderfully crafted event. His favorite memory: the Carl’s Jr. cheeseburger he got after crossing the finish line (he ran the half marathon). He smiled as he told me that in all the marathons he’s run, nobody ever gave him food like that when it was over. He said it was the best thing he had ever eaten.

The point of all this is simply that every year more and more people experience the Memorial Marathon. They leave with memories that are healthy and happy. And whether they know it or not, honor has been served — together with a cheeseburger that can be tasted to this day.

Tony Stizza
Director of Video

Have you ever made a summer trip to that special place, then you get there and wonder why in the peak visitation season people are doing routine maintenance? I have, and now that this Memorial is eight years old and subject to all kinds of weather year round, I have a clearer understanding! Routine and some not-so-routine maintenance must be done when temperatures are even enough that you will get the best return from your maintenance investment.

We work hard to complete most of the heavy maintenance projects out of the way of our heavy traffic, but if you visit this summer, you will see at least two major projects underway at the Memorial. We are working with our general contractor, Lippert Bros., and their sub-contractor, Mid-Continental Restoration, on restoring the mortar joints of the limestone on the north side of the Museum and the remainder of the Journal Record Building. The restoration is a critical issue to the long term care of this 86-year-old building. One of the priorities of being in a historic building is being able to maintain it and keep it for future generations.

Our second project is being done by Rick Savory and his masonry team, who are regrouting the sandstone pathways throughout the Memorial. We power wash once a week to keep the place looking spectacular, but when you power wash this much, you have to replace grout! So, in an effort to keep this site as beautiful as the day we opened it on April 19, 2000, and safe for the more than 350,000 visitors who walk these sacred grounds each year, we are regrouting all of the sandstone around the 3.3 acre site.

You may occasionally arrive on site while our landscapers from Oakley’s are hand clipping around each of the 168 chairs or staff from First Maintenance are making their rounds to ensure every piece of trash isn’t blowing in the high Oklahoma winds. Or maybe, you will see one of our maintenance team working around the ever growing Survivor Tree or sweeping the Reflecting Pool; we have even been known to test a new lighting method as the sun goes down. But spring and summer are the best times to get major projects done and we are grateful our visitors care as much as we do that this important work is accomplished.

In an effort to make sure our Memorial offers comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity, we have to work each day, sunshine or rain, to maintain this Memorial and Museum, so it will stand for generations to teach the senselessness of violence and the resilient spirit to the thousands who come here from all 50 states and 32 foreign countries each month.

This beautiful design is maintained in the same spirit it was built…to remember and to educate.

Kari Watkins
Executive Director

Many children visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial through school groups or family vacations. We see all ages of children, ranging from babies in strollers to high school students. Most of them were not born in 1995 and, therefore, have no first hand recollection of the event.

By touring the Museum they learn, through a multi-media, 360 degree, two floor, eleven gallery tour, the consequence of violence on families, communities and nations. As overwhelming as you think the Museum may be for a child, the Museum quietly offers comfort and solace while presenting the story of a terrible tragedy.

Children are offered a place to process what happened here years ago by leaving messages and drawings of hope and condolence. They also have the opportunity to become a positive role model through play in our Children’s Area. While they may not fully understand the intricacies of the April 19th event, they do learn about the humanity displayed on that frightful day.

Whether we are 4,12, 20 or 80 years old, the Museum shows us how charitable, humane, generous, giving and empathetic people can be. Strangers helped the injured. Strangers and community members donated their goods, services and time to help in the rescue, recovery and memoralization process. Through all the hard work, sacrifice, and years, the one constant in this terrible tragedy has been the outpouring of support shown by people from around the world. Without a doubt, that is by far the biggest lesson any child should remember and take away after visiting the Museum.

Pam Bell
Archivist

This month seemed to fly by and I have been guilty of being preoccupied with finals and preparing for a trip to go to Rome for two weeks. But I wanted to share something I noticed recently.

One day I was walking into work and noticed people mowing the grass at the Memorial. What caught my eye were two men trimming the grass in the Field of Empty Chairs. These men sat down and meticulously cut the blades of grass around each chair by hand. They had to do this 168 times that day. Then they must do this several times throughout the summer months. This precision and care struck me with the thought of the importance of the Memorial, and how the simplest thing of cutting grass must be treated with reverence for those who died.

Scott Sanders
AmeriCorps Volunteer

When I came to Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum two years ago, it was with a clear purpose and direction. I was to inspect, catalog and record the contents of the video collected in the Archives. Two years later, I am nearing the finish line. In that time, I have been a witness to so much that I sometimes have trouble remembering it all. I have seen the personal recordings from my fellow Oklahomans who were murdered in the bombing, and come to know the beauty of their individual stories. I have followed the US&R teams into the ruins of the Murrah Building and seen the heroic efforts they went through to bring our loved ones back. I have shared in the painful memories of friends, families and coworkers whose lives were forever changed, and I have seen our friends and neighbors planting trees, erecting memorials and paying tribute to the memories of those who were lost. I have come to understand the love, compassion and bravery that humanity is capable of showing in the face of tragedy. This is a painful job sometimes, to be sure, but I have learned so much about my city, my state, and my nation, and I have never been more proud to be a part of all three.

Seth Joseph
Curatorial Assistant

On Monday we will commemorate Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. As we remember so many who have served their country, we pause to remember those who were serving their country while working in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building the morning of April 19, 1995. To honor their work and those who were just conducting everyday business in the building, we will place a flag at each of the 168 chairs to remember their lives. It is an amazing site and worth the trip to the Memorial to see.

So as another year of school wraps up and summer begins to kick into high gear, take time to remember. Remember not just those who were killed here, but those who have served our country and those who still are serving so that we might enjoy the freedoms we have as Americans.

During your gathering with family and friends, take just a moment to say thanks for those who gave their lives and hang your flag on your front porch with pride for living in a country where men and women make a choice each day to serve for all of us.

Kari Watkins
Executive Director

The next time you are at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and look at Old Glory flying in the breeze, here is something for you to think about.

That U.S. Flag flying high and proud just might be one of the many we raise above the Memorial to honor one of our country’s military members nearing retirement. Many of these soldiers, sailors, Marines and airman had a unique connection to the A.P. Murrah Building as this was the location they began their military career by taking their Oath of Service.

Flags have been sent to us, flown and returned with a certificate of authenticity, to many interesting places around the world. One of the more recent flags was flown for a U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer completing 24 years of active duty service after enlisting at the Alfred P. Murrah Building in 1984. This warrior is currently serving aboard the USS Hue City, an Aegis guided missile Cruiser, somewhere, in support of our military efforts.

This connection is particularly relevant as we recognize Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day and the sacrifices made through the years in support of our nation.

To him, and others serving in harm’s way, we wish the best and a safe return home.

Leon Gillum
Director of Security
USMC ‘62-’65

Me, the one who could barely run a block four months ago.

My interest in running was inspired by a close friend. I had witnessed her passion for running and I wondered if I could find a passion for it, too.

I began running in January and ran as often as I could in preparation for running a leg of the relay in the 8th Annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon.

When I met my teammates early on the morning of April 28, there was such a sense of excitement, energy and anticipation. I was so proud to be there, and as I looked around on that rainy morning, I was proud of Oklahoma City.

As a new participant in the Marathon, I didn’t expect the crowds of people in their yards and along the street cheering for the runners…complete strangers, those waiting on a family member to run by, little girls with trays of brownies, and smiling faces — all offering encouragement to those running 26.2 or 3.2.

Running down the street leading to the finish line, I saw the thousands of people lining each side, yelling, smiling, waving and ringing cowbells. I didn’t see one face I recognized but felt like every single person was cheering for me. I thought about the spirit in which everyone — runners, spectators, and volunteers — were there and it overwhelmed me. That was one of many times I felt tears sting my eyes that day.

For the rest of the day (and maybe a few days after) I had adrenaline, euphoria, pride — whatever you want to call it. I had become a runner. I can’t think of a better event in the world to help me discover my passion for running than the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon.

Laura Kriegel