Finding ‘spirituality of the community’ in the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
Bob Johnson has a great reputation as an attorney.
I love it that he’s from the small town of Thomas, Oklahoma, and is married to Gennie. They both give generously of themselves to our community and their church.
History will no doubt give a lot of credit to Johnson for his leadership in a defining time for Oklahoma City following the bombing in 1995. Johnson and Kari Watkins have written an important book about the impact of that incident: “Looking Back. Thinking Forward.” It’s a story of violence turned to hope and the response that became known as the “Oklahoma Standard.”
I asked Johnson to write about his personal journey as the first chairman of the Memorial Task Force for the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, knowing that the job must have felt impossible.
Johnson writes:
I believe we normally see the work of God’s guidance in the rearview mirror. Such was the case for me during the six years of the communitywide process by which we planned and created the
Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.
Two months after the Oklahoma City bombing, I agreed to chair the very diverse 350-member Memorial Task Force appointed by Mayor Ron Norick, which was comprised of victims’ family members, survivors, first responders and others of all walks of life, races, religions and geographical sectors. I believe many things in life catch one’s eye, but only a very few compel you to step outside your comfort zone and make a commitment that is unanticipated. There were many valid reasons to decline leading the memorial effort, but I was inspired to make the commitment.
During the first several months, the meetings with victims’ family members and survivors were awash with raw emotions, including animosity and distrust of volunteers. There were moments when I became a lightning rod for the anger that prevailed, but in those moments I felt a very unnatural sense of calm.
As I reflect on those experiences, I am reminded of Josh Groban’s song “You Raise Me Up,” which includes the lyrics:
“I am strong when I am on your shoulders. You raise me up to more than I can be.”
My faith did not get me around the many challenges of the memorial journey, but I believe it provided strength and patience to be much more than I could otherwise be. I also believe the faith of hundreds of other participants from different religions elevated them to successfully embrace the many challenges of the memorialization process and create a memorial and museum that have touched the world.
The Memorial Mission Statement unanimously adopted by the large and diverse Memorial Task Force required that the memorial should “speak of the spirituality of the community and the nation that was so evident in the wake of the attack.”
Accordingly, the message to visitors on the interior of the iconic Survivor Tree promontory wall reads: “The spirit of this city and this nation will not be defeated. Our deeply rooted faith sustains us.”
A few years ago I read Max Lucado’s book “Outlive Your Life.” One of the more profound statements in the book is: “God does not always call the qualified, but he always qualifies the called.” This statement resonates with me regarding my experience of leading the memorial planning process. Through such experience, both my spiritual faith and my faith in the goodness of humanity were strengthened.
I believe there is a better person inside each of us. It is my prayer that the memorial and museum will continue to touch the lives of visitors in a way that will cause each to ask: “What would I do in the circumstances of April 19, 1995? Would I step forward selflessly to provide hope to someone in need? What can I do to help create a universal resolve to eliminate senseless violence?”
As the worldwide pilgrimage to the memorial and museum continues, I believe visitors will return home empowered with a desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others and will thereafter teach, by word or example, the timeless lessons we are striving to impart. By doing so, the hope generated by those lessons will continue to multiply, and the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum will continue to change lives.