Oklahoma Christian University breaks ground on Survivor Tree Memorial Plaza

Mario Gonzalez/KFOR
·2 min read

Editor’s Note: The story has been updated to clarify which university is part of this memorial site.

EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) — Oklahoma Christian University (OC) breaks ground on the Survivor Tree Memorial Plaza this week.

Construction began this week following the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday.

The Survivor Tree Memorial Plaza will be a place to remember and honor those who lost their lives in the Murrah Building and World Trade Center tragedies and to unite both OKC and NYC in solidarity.

Renderings for the Memorial Tree Plaza
Renderings for the Memorial Tree Plaza
Renderings for the Memorial Tree Plaza
Renderings for the Memorial Tree Plaza

OC is the only other place in the world outside of New York City to have survivor trees side-by-side in remembrance of the tragic events.

Honored guests in attendance of the ceremony included OC Chancellor John deSteiguer; Susan Walton, survivor of the OKC bombing; and Ron Vega, 9/11 recovery worker and Recovery Project executive for the NYC Dept. of Design and Construction.

  • OKC bombing and 9/11 survivors together for groundbreaking ceremony
    Groundbreaking ceremony with OKC bombing and 9/11 Survivors. Image Courtesy Oklahoma Christian
  • OKC bombing and 9/11 survivors together for groundbreaking ceremony
    GrouGroundbreaking ceremony with OKC bombing and 9/11 Survivors. Image Courtesy Oklahoma Christian ndbreaking ceremony with OKC bombing and 9/11 Survivors. Image Courtesy Oklahoma Christian
  • Turning of Dirt
    Turning of Dirt Image Courtesy OC
  • Ron Vega, OKC bombing survivor speaking
    Ron Vega, 9/11 recovery worker speaking at ground breaking ceremony. Image Courtesy OC
  • Susan Walton, OKC bombing survivor speaking
    Susan Walton, OKC bombing survivor speaking at ground breaking ceremony. Image Courtesy OC

“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.”

Susan Walton, a survivor of the Oklahoma City bombing

The groundbreaking ceremony took place near the two survivor trees and included the Ralph Harvey Field of Flags, a yearly tradition that takes place to remember the fallen from both the OKC Murrah Bombing and NYC 9/11 attacks.

OC displays 168 American flags and 168 Oklahoma flags in a silent vigil to honor the 168 individuals who died on that devastating day.

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