2009 National Conference Peace Event

The 28-minute Peace Event began at 9:02, the moment of the explosion on April 19, 1995.  Just as the memorial is dedicated “to educating visitors about the impact of violence and inspiring hope and healing through lessons learned by those affected,” the ACDA Peace Event was intended as a great coming together of the diverse membership of ACDA and of guests from around the region. It is hoped that the musical ceremony created a space both for remembering and for deep and meaningful reflection on hope and healing within our human community.

In addition to brief presentations by the featured musicians and ensembles, the 3500-plus attendees participated in an extraordinarily special collage of community singing, spoken word and shared silence.  The words of American and Native American poets Mary Oliver, Wendell Berry and Joy Harjo were read. Music from Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem was featured as well as the moving song (Requiem) dedicated to victims of disaster by singer-songwriter Eliza Gilkyson. The experience of gathering together though music in remembrance and hope at the extraordinarily moving Oklahoma City Memorial site was an event of deep significance and meaning. 

We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity.®