Fifty-four GEAR UP juniors and seniors from Coalgate High School recently toured the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum in downtown Oklahoma City. The Memorial commemorates the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995.  

After a brief introductory video, students toured the Memorial Museum, following the timeline that led them through the story of the bombing from early in the morning of April 19, 1995 to the days and weeks that followed the tragedy. Students examined the artifact cases, including the victims’ personal items such as car keys, eye glasses, shoes, and photographs, and observed the technology of the time period. They also read and watched the stories of rescue and recovery shared by trapped survivors, rescue workers, and volunteers. 

Before leaving the indoor exhibits, students were reminded that all Americans are guaranteed a fair trial regardless of their crime. Students also learned about the Oklahoma Standard and were encouraged to participate in acts of kindness and service.

The tour concluded with a look at the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial, which includes the Survivor Tree, the Field of Chairs, and the Reflecting Pool, and a visit to the gift shop.

The field trip was sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College’s GEAR UP program. Eastern received a $17 million federal GEAR UP grant in 2017, and will serve more than 3,000 students in 39 area schools for seven years.