On April 19, a ‘Spirit of Resilience’
Today is a solemn day for Oklahoma City. Every April 19, we are touched again by the shock and pain of the 1995 terrorist attack. We are also lifted by the spirit of resilience that the courageous survivors, responders, families, and all of our fellow Oklahomans have shown in the years since – and we are so grateful to be part of the fabric of this wonderful city, and grateful to be able to help with the Memorial Marathon with our great 90-person Water Stop Team and our Running Team.
Today also marks the 96th anniversary of the founding of IBEW Local Union 1141. In the preamble of our Union’s constitution, our Founders not only set out to organize an industry, but to aim much higher: “To elevate the moral, intellectual and social conditions of our members, their families and dependents, in the interest of a higher standard of citizenship.”
We will always grieve for the tragedy of April 19, 1995. And we will always seek to elevate a higher standard of citizenship. This is a powerful day for all of us, and one which will never pass unnoticed.
May God bless all of Oklahoma City. I know that we are all blessed to be a part of our great organization, and I know we will continue, on the jobsite and in the community, to advocate for a richer existence and a more just world.
May those lost rest in peace, and may we honor them by never forgetting our principles as we work toward a brighter future for our members, families, all of Oklahoma, and beyond.
Fraternally,
Dewayne Wilcox
Business Manager/Financial Secretary
Photo used under a Creative Commons license from Flickr user Serge Melki