Remember?
That's the government building that was destroyed by some ultra right, anti government pair of guys.
Well, the 20 year anniversary was going to be that Sunday.
So we went on Friday to avoid the crowds.
The news people were already getting ready for the big event.
But, we pretty much had the place all to ourselves.
Here is the entrance.
The message on the wall:
A reminder of the moment it took place:
And the view of the reflecting pool:
Guess that also happens with time.
Anyway…..The building was so heavily damaged, that all but one partial wall was demolished.
In it's place they they put up rows of chairs
Did you notice the second row chairs are shorter than the rest?
That's where the children's daycare center was.
Another short chair is seen on the 5th floor, near the 2 o'clock position, if the picture above was a clock.
Just about a dozen visitors were there at any one time, during our one hour visit.
But many were coming to place flowers on their friend's and relatives chairs.
And then they seemed to cross to the other side of the reflecting pool
and take a few minutes to remember.
A few days after the anniversary I tried to listen to Bill Clinton's speech on youtube.
He kept thanking all the individuals who had helped make this memorial come through.
A little bored, I thought of what I learned about Lincoln's Gettysburg speech.
The preacher had given an 8 minute prayer.
The historian who was to introduce Lincoln gave a 2 hour speech
on all the wars the country had been in since it's formation.
Lincoln then got up and said this:
It had been placed on every chair of those who died,
as they worked on the floor of the HUD department:
Personally, I think it says all that needs to be said.
