Remembering Those Who Have Gone Before Us

This Memorial Day my heart is full. 

I’ve spent much of the holiday “road tripping” on the way to a family reunion to in Dallas. Along the way, we stopped for the night in Norman, Okla., where we only planned to spend the night before continuing on the last leg of the trip. 

But thanks to an animated breakfast attendant, our trip took a detour to Oklahoma City, where we visited the site of the federal building that was bombed 16 years ago.

It's hard to find the words to describe the looming sadness. Right after the tragedy, a fence was erected in tribute to the victims. To this day family, friends and strangers continue to leave items to keep their memory alive.

To this day the fence is still sparsely sprinkled with intensely personal items. Seeing the items up close has heart wrenching effect. A favorite watch, a once pair of comfortable house shoes, stuffed animals…

But what affected me most was their stories, many of which were laminated treasures accompanied by pictures showing them in a happier time. 

I could not hold back the tears. Even though I reside far from there, I’m reminded that regardless of what community we live in, we are forever linked.  This is not just Oklahoma City’s tragedy, this is our tragedy.  

As we remember those we’ve lost this Memorial Day, I wanted to post my own pictorial tribute honoring the victims, survivors, rescuers and all whose lives were changed forever on April 19, 1995, on the sacred soil where the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building once stood. 

I also want all to keep William and Dorothy Simonton of Bolingbrook in your prayers. Their son, Scott a Marine Corps veteran, succumbed to colon cancer earlier this year.