Just one small way to repay the kindness shown to our citizens six years ago...
OC's old bears may offer up new hope
By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
Tulsa World 9/13/01
OKLAHOMA CITY -- If they could be in New York and Washington, the people Oklahoma City would offer hugs to grieving children. But since they can't, they're sending something for the children to hug instead.
"It is important to know these hope bears are not new bears," said Linda Lambert, the chairwoman of the Oklahoma City National Memorial Trust. "In fact, many did hang on our fence for several months. Our archives and curatorial staff had cleaned and cataloged each of these bears. However, they are weathered by the elements, and some may still contain bits of Oklahoma red dirt in them.
"But these bears are symbols of hope for us."
Shortly after the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, thousands of people left mementos at a chain-link fence surrounding the site.
Lambert and other state officials announced the donation Wednesday at the Oklahoma City National Memorial's Survivor Tree, which withstood the blast on that fateful day.
Each bear will have a note attached:
"This stuffed teddy bear is an Oklahoma Hope Bear. When our city's federal building was bombed in April 1995, people from all across the country and around the world wanted to let us know they cared about us, and what happened here.
"This Hope Bear was left on the fence that surrounded the place where the attack happened. We do not know who left this bear, but we know it helped us feel better. We want you to have it now and to know that we care. From Oklahoma City, with love."
Letters of support from Oklahoma children also will be sent with the bears, Lambert said.
The first batch of bears were scheduled to be sent Wednesday, with the remainder shipped by early next week, she said.
She said Oklahoma officials have taken out a full-page ad in Thursday's New York Times to express sorrow and support.
I come here today on behalf of the people of Oklahoma City to offer a hand of friendship, word of encouragement and a message of hope," Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys said.
Search and rescue workers from New York City and Arlington, Va., where the Pentagon is located, were some of the first to arrive for the recovery effort in Oklahoma City, he said.
Humphreys offered to return the good deed.
"Whatever we have is yours," he said. "Whether it is our experiences or our time or our resources. Whatever we have, it is yours."
A sign under the Survivor Tree read, "New York and Washington. Oklahoma Cares. You stood with us in our darkest hour, now we stand with you. The people of Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma City National Memorial."
Humphreys said residents near the epicenters of Tuesday's attacks eventually will be able to move on.
"The sun is shining today in Oklahoma City. The Survivor Tree still stands in Oklahoma City," he said. "I don't know what the Survivor Tree will be in Washington or New York. But there will be one. The day will come when the sun will shine again on your lives and your city."
The images of rubble, rescue workers covered in ash and tear-streaked faces of people looking for loved ones reminded those who were near the memorial and the adjacent St. Joseph's Catholic Church on Wednesday of April 19, 1995.
Charlotte Johnson, who attended an afternoon Mass at the church, said Tuesday's attacks reminded her of the Oklahoma City bombing but on a "much larger scale."
Mary Gravitt, who also attended the Mass, said just thinking about the attacks Tuesday made the hair on her arms stand up.
"It is a tragic act of aggression that was beyond words," she said.
Susie King's family stopped by the memorial on their way to Austin from Minnesota.
"It is frightening to not know where it (the violence) is coming from," she said. "I am frightened to get on a plane."
Her son, Mark King, said he was not surprised by the attacks, considering security in the United States.
"In other countries, terrorism is a way of life," he said. "Here, we are not used to it. It is not going to go away, either."
OC's old bears may offer up new hope
By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
Tulsa World 9/13/01
OKLAHOMA CITY -- If they could be in New York and Washington, the people Oklahoma City would offer hugs to grieving children. But since they can't, they're sending something for the children to hug instead.
"It is important to know these hope bears are not new bears," said Linda Lambert, the chairwoman of the Oklahoma City National Memorial Trust. "In fact, many did hang on our fence for several months. Our archives and curatorial staff had cleaned and cataloged each of these bears. However, they are weathered by the elements, and some may still contain bits of Oklahoma red dirt in them.
"But these bears are symbols of hope for us."
Shortly after the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, thousands of people left mementos at a chain-link fence surrounding the site.
Lambert and other state officials announced the donation Wednesday at the Oklahoma City National Memorial's Survivor Tree, which withstood the blast on that fateful day.
Each bear will have a note attached:
"This stuffed teddy bear is an Oklahoma Hope Bear. When our city's federal building was bombed in April 1995, people from all across the country and around the world wanted to let us know they cared about us, and what happened here.
"This Hope Bear was left on the fence that surrounded the place where the attack happened. We do not know who left this bear, but we know it helped us feel better. We want you to have it now and to know that we care. From Oklahoma City, with love."
Letters of support from Oklahoma children also will be sent with the bears, Lambert said.
The first batch of bears were scheduled to be sent Wednesday, with the remainder shipped by early next week, she said.
She said Oklahoma officials have taken out a full-page ad in Thursday's New York Times to express sorrow and support.
I come here today on behalf of the people of Oklahoma City to offer a hand of friendship, word of encouragement and a message of hope," Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys said.
Search and rescue workers from New York City and Arlington, Va., where the Pentagon is located, were some of the first to arrive for the recovery effort in Oklahoma City, he said.
Humphreys offered to return the good deed.
"Whatever we have is yours," he said. "Whether it is our experiences or our time or our resources. Whatever we have, it is yours."
A sign under the Survivor Tree read, "New York and Washington. Oklahoma Cares. You stood with us in our darkest hour, now we stand with you. The people of Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma City National Memorial."
Humphreys said residents near the epicenters of Tuesday's attacks eventually will be able to move on.
"The sun is shining today in Oklahoma City. The Survivor Tree still stands in Oklahoma City," he said. "I don't know what the Survivor Tree will be in Washington or New York. But there will be one. The day will come when the sun will shine again on your lives and your city."
The images of rubble, rescue workers covered in ash and tear-streaked faces of people looking for loved ones reminded those who were near the memorial and the adjacent St. Joseph's Catholic Church on Wednesday of April 19, 1995.
Charlotte Johnson, who attended an afternoon Mass at the church, said Tuesday's attacks reminded her of the Oklahoma City bombing but on a "much larger scale."
Mary Gravitt, who also attended the Mass, said just thinking about the attacks Tuesday made the hair on her arms stand up.
"It is a tragic act of aggression that was beyond words," she said.
Susie King's family stopped by the memorial on their way to Austin from Minnesota.
"It is frightening to not know where it (the violence) is coming from," she said. "I am frightened to get on a plane."
Her son, Mark King, said he was not surprised by the attacks, considering security in the United States.
"In other countries, terrorism is a way of life," he said. "Here, we are not used to it. It is not going to go away, either."
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