Reaction to Oklahoma City Memorial website

Oklahoma City Memorial Website Reaction

By looking at this beautiful memorial site tells of values that other people have for the diversity of life. So many people killed because of that two people wanting to destroy the freedom of our way of life. The worst part of it was that it was “Americans” that were to blame and not terrorists as we all had thought at first.

The Reflecting pool was one that I chose. The shallow depth of water helps soothe wounds, with calming sounds providing a peaceful setting for quiet thoughts . Looking in the pool shows the reflection of someone changed forever by their visit to the Memorial. I know we all read of such tragedies but it is true, that when one is at the site of where the tragedy happened, it gives you chills to think of what went through the minds of all these people. Being at Memorials like these does change your way of thinking forever. I had the opportunity to see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington and it was so overwhelming. My brother fought in Vietnam and got back safely but my heart ached for all those families whose loved ones did not return.

The Children’s Area is the other symbol I chose. This is where children around the country sent their own expressions of encouragement and love. This care is represented by a wall of tiles painted by children and sent to Oklahoma City in 1995. I liked it because children need to know what hate can cause. It is a parent’s duty to let children know that this world is full of “bad” people and we might encounter them one day. Not that we want to give nightmares to children but children do need to learn to share their feelings about such tragedies. I like that they provide chalk so that children have a place where they can share their feelings, an important part of the healing process.

I believe that Memorials should be put up because they not only educational, but they keep the tragedy in memory so that we don’t forget. Memorials are useful to establish and confirm common values sending a message of what is significant in our lives. Memorials stand for sacrifice, heroism, and valor. Many of the people that helped put the Oklahoma Memorial symbols never knew any of the people that died personally. They all just had great compassion for strangers that reflected respect for cultural differences.