"WE COME HERE TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO WERE KILLED, THOSE WHO SURVIVED AND THOSE CHANGED FOREVER.  

MAY ALL WHO LEAVE HERE KNOW THE IMPACT OF VIOLENCE.

MAY THIS MEMORIAL OFFER COMFORT, STRENGTH, PEACE, HOPE AND SERENITY."

 April 19, 1995 changed America forever. It was our first terrorist attack in our homeland.

Being an Oklahoma City native I have witnessed first hand the after affects of terrorism.

I had once worked in the Murrah building and my old office became the children's nursery.

The bombing of the Murrah building changed the city forever. At the time of the bombing, I lived in Florida and when I came that summer to visit my family, I wept. I didn't recognize my hometown. My sister took me to the site and the building had been demolished on May 23, 1995.  The only memorial at that time was a fence around the bombing site where there was one lonely tree, the only living survivor. The fence was covered with thousands of notes from visitors and survivors, photos of loved ones, teddy bears and other items that had been special to the victims. I broke down when I found a pair of baby shoes that had belonged to one of the children. I realized then I would only be able to see it in small doses. It was just too painful.

I moved back to my hometown three years ago. During this time I have witnessed the re-birth of Oklahoma City and I've never been more proud to be an American! Yes, downtown has changed, but from the ashes we have risen again!

There is now a beautiful memorial that is something to behold.  The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum was dedicated on April 19, 2000 by President Bill Clinton. There is a gentle reflection pool and the one surviving tree that stands so proud and alive. There are chairs remembering each victim and one section of the fence still exists.

The Murrah building was not the only building affected by the bombing. Several buildings suffered badly and some were demolished, others had to be repaired.

Now, new buildings have replaced the old ones. What was once a graveyard for warehouses has been restored to become a symbol of survival. What I remember as a warehouse district is now called "Bricktown" and it is a site to behold!

Bricktown has become a work of art with restored warehouses converted into fine dining, dancing and entertainment of every kind imaginable.

Now you can come to Bricktown and enjoy a pro basketball game at the new Ford Center, or watch the Red Hawks, our baseball team, at the Brick.

There is a beautiful canal where you can enjoy a guided river cruise and listen to the entertaining guides give you a history of this area and upcoming events, while taking in the sites of handpainted murals, tourist sites and the largest display of bronze sculptures in the world.

You can take in a movie at the huge Bricktown Theater, where they even have a daycare center so Mom and Dad can take in a movie while their children are entertained.

There are outdoor horse and carriage rides on quaint, cobbled brick streets. And you can dine at any of the fine restaurants that overlook the canal.

You can even visit the Myriad Botanical Gardens, a beautiful indoor garden that is a site to see!

Bricktown is breathtaking!

I look around my city with pride. I see how much has changed and I'm reminded of my favorite motto: "OUT OF BAD COMES GOOD".

Terrorism tried to destroy us! But we survived!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!