Oklahoma Christian University broke ground on Survivor Tree Memorial Plaza

Oklahoma Christian University (OC) is the only site in the world outside of New York City to have survivor trees from the Murrah Building and the World Trade Center side by side. Construction will begin this week on the OC Survivor Tree Memorial Plaza, a place of remembrance to honor those who lost their lives and the solidarity between the two cities affected by these tragedies. 

On April 18th OC broke ground on the OC Survivor Tree Memorial Plaza located at 2501 E Memorial Road, Edmond on the OC Campus at the southwest corner of the Mabee Learning Center (Library). 

Ralph Harvey Field of Flags waved with the display of 168 American flags and 168 Oklahoma flags to stand as silent vigil, honoring the lives lost in the tragic events of the Oklahoma City Murrah Bombing and the NYC 9/11 attacks. They flags are set to remind people of the enduring strength and compassion that binds people together. 

The ceremony included speaker Ron Vega, a 9/11 recovery worker and Susan Walton, a survivor of the Oklahoma City Bombing. 

Walton emphasized the importance of remembering the tragic events. She said, "People tell us that if we forget that things could happen again. This is why we want to keep this top of mind for people so that hopefully this will not happen again and that it will make the world a better place for all.”

Walton also was grateful for the unity the survivor garden embodies and people coming together to remember the events. 

“It’s good to have somebody that you can lean on, at this time of year, that understands what you’re going through. Many people seem to think that we should move on, but there’s always a trigger or something. You never know when that’s going to happen, and it’s good to have someone here that understands and to lean on,” Walton explained.