Shared Voices Reflections from a wall of hope.
Copyright © 2003 by Oklahoma City National Memorial Trust, All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher. Oklahoma City National Memorial, On American Soil, and the survivor tree image, along with the associated logos and designs are trademarks owned by the Oklahoma City National Memorial Trust, and are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. First printing, January 2003 - Published by the Oklahoma City National Memorial Trust, P.O. Box 323 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73101, Printed in the U.S.A. All photographs of the 9/11 World Trade Center terrorist attacks ©2002 New York City Police Department. Used with permission of the New York City Police Foundation, Inc.
Introduction
As New Day Dawns — Oklahoma City Brings Hope to Cities of 9/11 by Kari Watkins, Executive Director, Oklahoma City National Memorial September 11, 2002 With all the media coverage of the first anniversary of 9/11 and having just returned from spending some time in New York City, I was reminded how far our city has come since the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995. Maybe some have forgotten how hard it was to “move on” with their lives, but not the 168 families who lost loved ones or the hundreds of survivors who have struggled with their “new normal.” Maybe some have forgotten how dozens of businesses had to relocate or rebuild, but not the businessman who had invested his entire life savings near what would become known as Ground Zero. Maybe some have forgotten how city leaders and city workers tirelessly struggled to put the infrastructure back in place near the terrorist site, but not those who depended on those services to live and work. Maybe some have forgotten how the city struggled to be known for its new image, but not those who have worked to promote our home as a safe and vibrant place to live and work.
Maybe some have forgotten how hard it was to build a Memorial and Museum that would teach the generations that terrorism cannot be tolerated, but not the hundreds of volunteers and donors who devoted thousands of hours and dollars to build a place of hope. I found the people in New York City in a position of looking for the same answers we needed 7 1/2 years ago. They could see from our progress that writing a Mission Statement, developing an International Design Competition, building a beautiful and lasting Memorial and then figuring out how to operate it were not simple undertakings. We truly do have A Shared Experience. I can see New York City struggling with many of the same issues we overcame. As I sat across the table from the New York City Memorial Director and her staff, it would have been easy to say, “It is just too much.” Then, I remembered how far Oklahoma City has come and all that we have accomplished. Families of the Oklahoma City bombing have worked unselfishly with victims’ families of 9/11 to give them hope and show them that life will move on — just differently.
Businesses have rebuilt near the Oklahoma City National Memorial site. In New York City, I was again reminded of something we firmly believed in Oklahoma City – which was that we could build the most beautiful memorial, but if there were not life near it, it would not be the living Memorial it deserved and demanded. Oklahoma City leaders and workers began the rebuilding process immediately and then made the tough decision to allow us to close a section of Fifth Street, which today is a beautiful 318-foot Reflecting Pool that is symbolically reflective of how far we have come. Oklahoma City is not known as the poor city that was bombed, but as a vital city that overcame, rebuilt and will always remember. We have built a National Memorial that is visited by
thousands weekly. My staff and I are often approached by visitors who say, “Thank you. The Memorial has told an important story in a powerful and appropriate manner.” As we work to never forget these two important dates in American history, we must also not forget what we have accomplished. In the months ahead, New York City, Shanksville and the Pentagon will work through differences of opinion, political and economic pressures and struggle to rebuild. I am confident if good people continue to come together to work toward a common goal, they too will be an example that terrorism will NOT win. They can look to Oklahoma City to see the impossible can be accomplished. Oklahoma City has come to represent hope.
There is a wall of magnetic tiles in the Memorial Center Museum at the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Visitors to the Museum leave messages on this wall. Once each day we remove the tiles from the wall, photocopy the messages, then clean the tiles and return them to the wall for new visitors to the Museum. In most cases, we have no way to know who left the message. Sometimes we get a partial name, and frequently we get a locale, such as a city, state or country. The messages express the feelings of visitors from every corner of the world, and they share the thoughts of persons touched by the horror of terrorism. We believe these messages have been left for all people. For this reason we feel compelled to share them with the world.
Here are our Shared Voices.
“Not again. Oh my God. Where is the goodness we found in Oklahoma?” 9/18/01
“Bless all who come and believe.” 7/16/02 Camden, NY
“OKC — Go forth and do all the good you can, by all means you can, for as long as you can. The rest of us will follow.” 7/17/02 North Carolina
Rescuer resting in the midst of the collapsed World Trade Center. Photo courtesy of FEMA
Damaged vehicles and rubble around South Bridge over West Street that connected the World Trade Center with the Financial Center, September 11, 2001. Photo courtesy of NYPD “We thought it would never happen again — but it has — in NYC and Washington, DC. What is the answer?” 9/19/01 (bottom left) Damaged vehicles in front of the Athenian Building in Oklahoma City, April 19, 1995. Photo courtesy of City of Oklahoma City (bottom right) The parking lot between the Murrah Federal Building and the Journal Record Building in Oklahoma City, April 19, 1995, with Survivor Tree visible in background. Photo courtesy of City of Oklahoma City
“April 19, 1995 September 11, 2001 Why?” 7/9/02
Debris of World Trade Center after 9/11. Photo courtesy of NYPD
“Life as we know it will never be the same.” 6/28/02
The Winter Garden, just across West Street from the World Trade Center. Photo courtesy of NYPD
“We have lost too much through violence.” 9/18/01
“We are forever joined in prayers for peace.” 7/03/02 Shanksville, PA
Crash site of Flight 93 near Shanksville, PA. Photo courtesy of Mark Stahl
“We will survive.” 7/10/02
“We will never be brought to our knees by cowardly attacks. Americans will always unite and take care of our own.” 7/09/02
“Terrorists will pay for their actions in NYC! We will not falter and we are prepared to defend our freedom.” 9/19/02 USMC
Aerial view of Pentagon after the 9/11 attack. Photo courtesy of the Department of Defense
“Our lives have been forever changed.” 7/05/02
“We never realize how much we are connected until we need each other. OKC — WTC Too much pain.” 10/03/01
View of the Woolworth Building through the rubble of the World Trade Center. Photo courtesy of NYPD
“You have shown the world how to work together through tragedy. Thank you.” 9/20/01 Presque Isle, ME
“I was not here that day. I didn’t hear the cries or see the destruction. But I felt the pain and I wept for us – the people. We won’t forget!” 7/03/02
Rescue workers from various agencies and states working in the rubble of the Murrah Federal Building in 1995. Photo courtesy of City of Oklahoma City
“I came here 4-19-95, a brave Firefighter wanting to help… I left, a sad little boy wanting to be held.” 3/25/02
A firefighter rests after working all night at the Murrah Federal Building, April 20, 1995. Photo courtesy of Tulsa World/ Tom Gilbert, photographer
“Heavy heart, helping hands!” 7/02/02
Rescue workers at World Trade Center pause to rest. Photo courtesy of FDNY
“In honor of my uncle, Richard, who helped in the rescue… and all the brave firefighters.” 7/08/02
This photograph was taken April 19, 1998, three years after the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. It ran in The Edmond Sun with the caption, “Rescue workers, bombing survivors and family members who lost loved ones are still struggling with the tragedy.” Photo courtesy of James Coburn/The Edmond Sun
“We should always help one another.” 7/09/02
Rescue workers waiting to remove last live victim recovered at the World Trade Center. Photo courtesy of NYPD
“For some life stopped, For some life was left, But, it would never be the same.” 7/05/02
Rescue workers at the World Trade Center. Twelve firefighters assigned to Squad 1 died in the World Trade Center collapse. Photo courtesy of NYPD
Banner placed at the disaster site in Oklahoma City. Photo courtesy of CATF3
“Thank you to all the firemen, police and rescue workers.” 10/01/01
“Keep on helping others.” 7/01/02
“Everyone can help by caring. Don’t stop loving and caring.” 6/28/02
Rescuers received support in New York City. Photo courtesy of Steve Berman
“Was a high price to pay for freedom.” 7/05/02
“We still stand.” 7/07/02
“This just makes us strong.” 7/09/02
U.S. flag attached to one of the girders in the rubble at the World Trade Center. Photo courtesy of NYPD
“I’ve been to NYC and now OKC. I hope and pray I will never go to another ‘ground zero.’” 6/26/02
A message left on one of the chalkboards in the Children’s Area at the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Photo by Memorial Staff
“We are all victims in the events that happened on 4/19 and on 9/11, but as time goes on we have proven that we have held together and become stronger.” 6/19/02
President Bush visiting the rescuers at World Trade Center. Photo courtesy of FDNY
(top left) U.S. flag hung from support pipes used to stabilize the Murrah Federal Building during rescue and recovery in 1995. Photo courtesy of City of Oklahoma City
(top right) First flag removed from the Murrah Federal Building. Photo courtesy of City of Oklahoma City “Freedom will survive.” 7/03/02
(bottom left) Workers mounting U.S. flag on the side of a crane working the World Trade Center site. Photo courtesy of FDNY
(bottom right) U.S. flag worn on the helmet of a rescuer at World Trade Center in 2001. Photo courtesy of FDNY
(left) American flag recovered from the World Trade Center displayed during opening ceremony at Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo courtesy of The New York Times ©2002/Ruth Fremson, Photographer
(right) The first flag to be removed from the Murrah Federal Building in 1995 was attached to a crane used in the rescue and recovery operation and is now on display in the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma City National Memorial/G. Jill Evans, photographer
“Red, White and Blue… Those colors don’t run.” 6/28/02
“I am a proud American. People will destroy our country for whatever reason they want, but that won’t change the way I think of my country. Be a proud American!” 7/17/02 New York
Rescue workers hang U.S. flag on remains of antenna from North Tower, World Trade Center. Photo courtesy of NYPD
“Towers have fallen… A Nation will rise.” 7/08/02
“Let Freedom ring.” 7/09/02
Looking NE toward Manhattan shortly after collapse of the World Trade Center. Photo courtesy of NYPD
“OKC and NYC are forever bridged by violence.” 9/25/01
“Terrorism affects everyone!” 10/03/01 North Carolina
Bicycle still chained to pole after collapse of World Trade Center. Photo courtesy of FDNY
“My husband, Bill, and I are driving back to California. We must drive because of the horrible attack in New York & D.C. We had to stop here in remembrance of all the lives lost here on April 19, 1995, and now on September 11, 2001. God will bless the U.S. We will overcome this.” 9/15/01
“Let’s stretch our hearts and hands across America as one.” 7/16/02 Massachusetts
“We are one.” 9/18/01
Plaque left on Memorial Fence at the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Photo courtesy of Thomas Korber
“We are Family! One Father — brothers and sisters.” 7/09/02
A candlelight prayer and memorial service at the Somerset County, Pennsylvania, Courthouse on Friday, September 14, for those who lost their lives in the United Flight 93 crash near Shanksville, PA. Photo courtesy of the Daily American/ Scott Etris, photographer
“I love America” 7/07/02
Memory boards were provided in the Family Assistance Center at Liberty State Park, New Jersey, where family members could leave messages of love and hope to those who were lost. Photo courtesy of Kathryn Bedard, State of New Jersey, Department of Human Services
“Help bring terrorism to an end.” 7/02/02
“Terrorists, foreign or domestic, will not deter us!” 7/17/02
“In the Army you learn to protect — not kill.” 6/25/02
Rescue workers at the Pentagon on 9/11 after a hijacked jet slammed into the west façade. Photo courtesy of New York Times ©2001/Stephen Crowley, photographer
“We love—that is why human life is beautiful.” 7/03/02
Oklahoma County sheriff ’s deputy assisting with an injured child at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building site. Photo Copyright 1995, The Oklahoma Publishing Company, Staff Photographer Steve Gooch
At St. Anthony They arrived by ambulance, car, and pickup, the men, women and children of Murrah. Near half the injured arrived that morning at St. Anthony Hospital. They were met by wheelchairs and gurneys outside the emergency room on Tenth Street. The emergency room received the critical; many others came our way, down the hall where the entire floor, the dental and outpatient medicine clinics, were converted to outpatient surgery. Doctors, nurses, students and aides, were lined up, table after table, helping the wounded. Surgical trays to close the lacerations, “She can’t see; get an ophthalmologist.” “We’ll set her jaw after the consult.” “Neurosurgery is on the way.” Narcotics took away the pain but not the agony. “Hurry up, the second wave of patients is about to arrive.” Overhead pages, “More supplies, over here.” “The second wave, God help us.” Injuries from triage downtown would be coming, the most severe injuries from inside Murrah. In just a minute, they’d be on their way. And we waited for that second wave. The television droned, more reports. They should be here any second but they never arrived. Downtown triage was being dismantled. Tears flowed from many eyes. There was no second wave. You could hear a pin drop.
Waiting for the second wave of survivors that never came. St. Anthony Hospital 1995. Photo Copyright 1995, The Oklahoma Publishing Company, Staff Photographer Roger Klock
Reprinted by permission of Jeffrey G. Hirsch, MD
“What will your hands do? Love or Hate?” 7/02/02
Triage for World Trade Center at Chelsea Piers. Photo courtesy of Chelsea Piers Management, Inc.
“I have been moved to tears for strangers I don’t know. My tears are tears of sympathy, anger and joy.” 10/01/01
“Never forget — Make the Difference!” 7/12/02
Triage for the Murrah Federal Building in the streets immediately surrounding the bomb site. Photo courtesy of City of Oklahoma City
“We cry easier, We laugh louder, We love deeper Than we did before April 19, 1995. We will never forget.” 9/06/01
“So much pain— So much hate— So much sorrow— Never enough love— Never enough joy— Never enough strength.” 7/05/02 OKC
ATF agents embrace in front of the bombed Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building during a memorial ceremony. Photo courtesy of Tulsa World/ Daryl Wilson photographer
“May it never happen again.” 6/24/02 Somerset County, PA “Let us all learn to tolerate and love each other.” 7/05/02
A temporary memorial on Skyline Road in Shanksville, PA. Photo courtesy of Karen M. Stutzman
“Will the pain ever go away?” 9/18/01
Teddy bear left on Memorial Fence at Oklahoma City National Memorial. Photo courtesy of Thomas Korber
“New York & D.C., our prayers are with you as yours were with us on April 19, 1995.” 9/22/01
“Seeing this Memorial makes me realize the suffering the people of New York are going through.” 9/15/01
“We were brought here by the tragedy of NY WTC. At the time NYC was here for you. Be there for them.” 9/18/02
“We brought our children here on 9/14/01. We wanted to help them realize what is going on in N.Y. Our hearts ache for those who have lost loved ones then and now.” 9/18/02
“The tragedies in Washington, DC, & NY caused our travel plans to change. Here we are reminded of another tragedy. Our hearts go out to you here in Oklahoma City and now those in New York & Washington, DC.” 9/18/01 Lobby of the Oklahoma City National Memorial Center with message to the 9/11 disaster sites beside the Memorial Mission Statement. Photo courtesy of Jo Wolf
“We didn’t want it to happen again, but it has. Hearts are broken in New York, Washington and our nation. A lesson is to be learned. May God help us learn.” 9/18/01
“To: OKC, NY and DC — Our hearts are broken, but our resolve is stronger than ever.” 9/19/01
“OKC — You showed us how to survive.” 9/25/01 Arlington, VA
“This place helps us realize that we can survive and the future is still ours.” 9/24/01
“This Memorial removes the mask of hate and makes you realize that hate is unacceptable.” 9/23/01
“Really glad I’ve seen this. After 9/11/01, it really hit home. I’m from NY.” 10/03/01
“Thank you, OKC, for helping us all to see our neighbors with love and compassion.” 7/09/02 Louisiana Visitors to the Oklahoma City National Memorial looking out over the Symbolic Memorial from the Promontory around the Survivor Tree. Photo courtesy of Thomas Korber
“We are all from Oklahoma — We are all New Yorkers.” 7/05/02
“All the darkness in the world cannot put out the light of a single candle.” 7/09/02
Union Square Park on Manhattan Island’s 14th Street was turned into a makeshift memorial for the victims of the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Photo courtesy of New York Times ©2001/Chang W. Lee, Photographer
“No more violence.” 6/22/02
“We remember Dave’s firefighter brothers who died together at WTC, 9/11/01.” 9/18/01 Manhattan Island
“Your loss is our loss. Your hurt is our hurt.” 9/21/01 Cards, drawings, letters and photos honor those missing from Rescue Co. 5 in Concord, Staten Island, which sent 13 men to the World Trade Center. Only one returned. Photo courtesy of Mary DiBiase Blaich for the New York Times
“Loved ones are like stars. Even when you don’t see them, they are always there.” 7/08/02 Florida
“No matter where you’re from, No matter what God you serve, When you see this place, you’ll be touched forever.” 6/28/02
The Oklahoma City National Memorial Center Museum’s Gallery of Honor recognizes each of the 168 persons killed in the bombing. Photo courtesy of Oklahoma City National Memorial/G. Jill Evans, photographer
“This is why we should not hate.” 6/26/02 Kentucky
“To understand the true realities of terrorism, one must see what comes from it.” 7/01/02
Rubble in the Austin J. Tobin Plaza of the World Trade Center. Photo courtesy of NYPD
“We’ve learned so much, come so far, yet have so much more to understand.” 7/01/02
For three decades, this sculpture stood in the plaza of the World Trade Center. Entitled The Sphere, it was conceived by artist Fritz Koenig as a symbol of world peace. Damaged on September 11, The Sphere was placed in Battery Park on March 11, 2002, as a temporary memorial to all who lost their lives in the World Trade Center. Photo courtesy of Jo Wolf
“We must prevent terrorism. How?” 7/05/02
Rescue workers at the World Trade Center site. Photo Courtesy of the New York Times ©2001/Angel Franco, photographer
“It didn’t have to be this way. What could you and I do to prevent something like this from happening again? Think – Think.” 7/12/02
Signed boards in the Shanksville Memorial salute those on Flight 93 who stopped the hijackers from carrying out their plans. Photo courtesy of Kim Friedline
“I don’t cry easily, but I cried today.” 6/25/02
“We all must do whatever we can, wherever we can, to prevent such things from ever happening.” 7/02/02 Engine 10, Ladder 10 was the firehouse closest to the World Trade Center – just across the street. On September 11, the unit lost four men, its trucks and its building. Still, the firefighters came to work every day. In February 2002, the unit was given a loaner truck to replace one of the destroyed trucks. Now, they once again respond as “10-and-10.” Photo courtesy of FEMA
“We must start now — teach the children — love of each other. We will learn from them.” 9/27/01
“If we make fun of others, we create terror in school.” 7/15/02
“Through all the pain there is love. You went through pain, so, I shall bring love.” 7/02/02
Child reading tokens left on the Memorial Fence at Oklahoma City National Memorial. Photo courtesy of Thomas Korber
“From one mother’s heart to another — Heal.” 7/12/02
“For the children — may you know a better future.” 7/03/02
Rubble and toys in the children’s play area at the YMCA in Oklahoma City, April 19, 1995. Photo courtesy of City of Oklahoma City
“Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty.” 7/15/02 New York
“We can have peace if we’ll unite our efforts and begin with peace at home.” 7/01/02
A fence at Washington Square Park became a floral tribute to victims of the 9/11 attacks. Photo courtesy of The New York Times ©2001/Nicole Bengiveno, photographer
“Together we can stop the hate with our love and tolerance.” 07/19/02 San Jose, CA
“I hope that all over the world people will open their hearts and minds to a world of peace and truth.” 7/05/02
After the 9/11 attacks, the Oklahoma City National Memorial sent hundreds of “Hope Bears,” bears that have been left on the Memorial fence, to the disaster sites, surrounding schools and rescue workers, along with a packet of materials to help the victims through their first healing steps. Photo courtesy of Jo Wolf
“Let us learn the lesson that violence will not prevail. We are a strong people and we will go on.” 9/17/01
“Shanksville remembers. We love our country, pray for our leaders, give support to those who protect our country. God Bless America —land that we love.” 7/10/02
Shanksville resident Judi Baeckel straightens one of several signs in her yard, a display she and her husband Doug erected to honor the heroes of Flight 93. Their home is at the end of Main St., and busses carrying family members passed by on their way to visit the crash site. Photo courtesy of Dave Breen/ Dave Breen Photography
“I came an observer — I left a witness.” 07/11/02 Ohio
“Thank you for changing my life. My heart goes out to all.” 7/01/02
“Very moving Memorial and may this and the events of 9/11 serve as a reminder to those of us able-bodied men and women what we can do for our country.” 6/15/02 Texas
“I was there then. I am here now. It still hurts.” 7/03/02 Artifacts from the Murrah Federal Building bombing now on display in cases at the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. Photos courtesy of the Oklahoma City National Memorial/G. Jill Evans, photographer
“Some experiences change us. Others prepare us. This shared experience does both.” 7/02/02
“We will never be able to answer the question of ‘why?’ But we are able to answer the question of ‘what we will do about it?’ Never lose hope.” 6/26/02