It is hard to fathom a mind like McVeigh’s that would go to such lengths to kill so many people he did not know. It was also noteworthy that someone capable of pulling off that much destruction was dumb enough to get caught without a license plate a short distance from the crime scene.

AVOC

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August 16, 2011

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Dawson Vacation 2011- Part 4 B – Oklahoma City, State Capitol and University of OK

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By Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc

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OKLAHOMA CITY

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Oklahoma City is a bustling City and well known long before Tim McVeigh bombed the Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995, taking 168 lives, including 19 children under the age of 6, and injured more than 680 people.   We spent considerable time at the Memorial, outside and inside.   It is an impressive and thought provoking place.   It is hard to fathom a mind like McVeigh’s that would go to such lengths to kill so many people he did not know.   It was also remarkable that someone capable of pulling off that much destruction was dumb enough to get caught without a license plate a short distance from the crime scene.

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There are many pictures, recordings and other information about the folks who died that day.The museum has much detail about the victims, the perpetrators and the investigation, trial and execution of Timothy McVeigh.

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Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

http://www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/

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Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum –Adjacent Building – 7.12.11

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Survivor Tree: Witness to Tragedy, Symbol of Strength

It is more than 80 years old. An American Elm Tree in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City, it survived the bomb’s blast and witnessed one of the worst terrorist attacks on American soil. Today, we call it the Survivor Tree.

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Oklahoma City National Memorial Survivor Tree – Betty & Jennifer Dawson – 7.12.11

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Oklahoma City Memorial Pavilion –Betty & Jennifer Dawson – 7.12.11

   We liked the shade of the Survivor Tree on this 105 Plus day!

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Oklahoma City National Memorial Grounds -7.12.11

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Oklahoma City National Memorial Grounds – Chairs 7.12.11

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Oklahoma City National Memorial Gate with time of explosion on April 19, 1995 – 7.12.11

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At the Oklahoma City National Memorial two gates, marked 9:01 and 9:03, frame the time of the bombing (9:02 a.m.) that killed 168 people.  http://www2.indystar.com/library/factfiles/crime/national/1995/oklahoma_city_bombing/ok.html

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Oklahoma City National Memorial Fence – 7.12.11

From the first hours after the April 19, 1995 bombing, Oklahomans began to create small makeshift memorials around the perimeter of the bombsite – mounds of flowers, stuffed animals, personal notes, cards and prayers. Later, after the Murrah Building was demolished and removed, a chain link fence secured the footprint of the building. The Fence became Oklahoma’s – and America’s – memorial. Each day, visitors would hang mementos on the fence. Items including poems, key chains, brief scribbled messages of condolence and support, event convention badges, car tags and airline ticket stubs were left by visitors to Oklahoma City. The Fence has been preserved, and a portion of it is a part of the permanent memorial to allow visitors the opportunity to continue to leave personal messages of hope, comfort and goodwill.

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The Oklahoma blast claimed 168 lives, including 19 children under the age of 6, and injured more than 680 people. Wikipedia   Within 90 minutes of the explosion, Timothy McVeigh was stopped by Oklahoma State Trooper Charlie Hanger for driving without a license plate and arrested for unlawfully carrying a weapon.

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At the Oklahoma City National Memorial two gates, marked 9:01 and 9:03, frame the time of the bombing (9:02 a.m.) that killed 168 people.   http://www2.indystar.com/library/factfiles/crime/national/1995/oklahoma_city_bombing/ok.html

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Oklahoma City National Museum Exhibit –Explosion Picture- Betty Dawson on side 7.12.11

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Oklahoma City Memorial Message on adjacent building left by Rescue Team 5 on 4-19-1995

Wendell Dawson on 7.12.11

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STATE CAPITOL

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We photographed the Oklahoma State Capitol before leaving Oklahoma City.It was raining and difficult to get a clear picture.

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Oklahoma State Capitol – Oklahoma City 7-12-11

OKLAHOMA UNIVERSITY at Lawton

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After Oklahoma City, we went to Lawton, OK, and saw the University of Oklahoma Campus and the Stadium where the No 1 College Football Team, Sooners, play.

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University of Oklahoma Campus in Lawton, OK – 7.13.11

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University of Oklahoma Sooner Stadium – 7.13.11

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University of Oklahoma Sooner Stadium – Bud Wilkinson Field – 7.13.11

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Brahms Restaurant- Store near OK University Campus in Lawton, OK – 7.13.11

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