MOORE, Okla. — Seven precious young lives were lost in the tornado that hit Moore on May 20, 2013. Two years and 8 days later, a memorial to honor those lives has been finished.
The school had to be completely rebuilt, and what was once a construction site is now a beautiful sign of remembrance.
Loved ones started building the bench memorial dedicated to the lives of those children in 2014.
The memorial sits at the entrance of the school and consists of seven stone benches, one for each child, created by their parents. Engravings on the benches give insight to each child’s character, as well as inspiration messages.
Mahogany granite slabs form rays of sunshine from each bench to symbolize the happiness those children brought to their friends, their family, and their community.
And shade trees have been planted, not only to give coolness to those who sit on the benches, but to represent new and everlasting life.
Governor Mary Fallin attended the dedication ceremony Thursday.
“I hope we can continue to express why this is so important,” Fallin said.
Kyle Davis, JaNae Hornsby, Antonia Candelaria, Emily Conatzer, Sydney Angle, Nicholas McCabe and Christopher Legg.
Seven children taken much too soon. But their spirits will live on forever.