Press Releases

National Memorial Chairs Shine as ‘Beacons of Hope’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 19, 2008

Contact: Nancy Coggins, APR
405.235.3313 or 405.760.9053
nc@oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org

National Memorial Chairs Shine as ‘Beacons of Hope’
Relamping project completed ahead of schedule

OKLAHOMA CITY — Each night, the Field of Empty Chairs at the Oklahoma City National Memorial glows as the chairs representing the 168 men, women and children killed in the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City light from within to become beacons of hope to a world troubled by terrorism. Since the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial opened on the fifth anniversary of the bombing, the original lights burned more than 43,000 hours. As of today, all 168 have been fitted with a new set of lights.

“I am very proud of our maintenance team, coupled with our electrical vendor OESCO and the insight of Hans and Torrey Butzer and Randy Roberts of Roberts Step-Lite Systems for their work,” said Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum Executive Director Kari Watkins. “They took this project to heart and knew each day the care that must be taken in changing out each light as visitors passed by and asked questions. Over the past two weeks of this project, it has been amazing to see the Field of Empty Chairs section by section getting these new lamps. To see the entire Field of Chairs relamped is overwhelming.”

Hans and Torrey Butzer, the designers of the Memorial and Randy Roberts of Roberts Step-Lite Systems, who developed the original chair lights, helped the Memorial choose the most appropriate light using the latest technology and assuring the longest life of lighting that is available today. In groups of eight, chairs had their original lights removed and state-of-the-art LED light systems installed.

“The new lights provide a clarity and pureness of light that allows the names to be more easily read than ever before,” Watkins said. “By using LED technology to light each of the chair bases, the Field of Empty Chairs is even more beautiful than the day we opened almost nine years ago.”

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum was created to honor “those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever” by the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. The Memorial and Museum are dedicated to educating visitors about the impact of violence, informing about events surrounding the bombing, and inspiring hope and healing through lessons learned by those affected. The Memorial sees half a million people annually from all 50 U.S. states and an average of 92 different foreign countries.

The Outdoor Symbolic Memorial is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is free of charge. The Memorial Museum is open Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sunday, 1-6p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (62+) and $6 for students (5-college with valid ID). Children under 5 are admitted free. Group rates and programs are available. Special exhibits are included in the cost of admission. Ticket sales end at 5 p.m. daily. The Museum is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

For more information on the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, call (888) 542-HOPE or visit www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org.

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