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CNN Sunday Morning

Mother's Day is Somber at Oklahoma City Memorial

Aired May 13, 2001 - 09:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: We begin this morning, though, with new developments in the delayed execution of convicted Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. The new June 11 execution date is apparently a firm one.

We get the latest now from CNN's Martin Savidge in Oklahoma City.

Hi, Martin.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Morning to you, Kyra.

That confirmation coming to us from an article in the Sunday Oklahoma newspaper in which they quote U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft as saying that he will not extend the deadline for the execution of Timothy McVeigh until -- or beyond June 11, which he's already stated. Apparently, that was generated out of a phone call that he made to the newspaper. He was so greatly concerned about how his decision would impact the people of Oklahoma City.

He also says he won't extend that deadline even if he gets a request from the defense attorneys wanting more time to review all those documents that were recently turned over by the FBI. In the article Ashcroft says, quote, "The last thing I want to do is distress people who've already endured a kind of pain that none of us can understand, let alone would want to endure." But he goes on to say he believes extending it was the right thing to do.

Meanwhile, here in Oklahoma City and across the nation, it is Mother's Day, but it is different here in light of what happened six years ago in this particular place. Inside the memorial there are 168 chairs denoting the people who died in the building; 54 of them belonged to mothers. That is nearly one-third of the chairs. Nineteen of them belong to small children. And of course, all of those chairs represent a mother's child.

Over the past few days many families have been visiting here. They say, specifically, because of the approach of Mother's Day. As you walk through this, some very difficult conversations between adults and child. Many parents say they don't believe their children understand what happened. Well, the truth is, many adults don't fully understand at this particular point.

All of the victims say that they feel a close connection with the family members. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JULIE RANDOL: I hurt for them. I just hope those families have a faith in God that can get them through, because the Bible tells us that there's a peace that passes all understanding. And I think that's the only thing that can make life worth living after something like this, is that peace, that you know there is something more than just this life and that they will see their loved ones again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: You know, Kyra, I was here six years ago covering the bombing and this is the first chance I've had to actually see the memorial. You can pretty much attest to all the things that are said. It is a very special place on Mother's Day, and every day -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Definitely very chilling. Marty Savidge, thanks so much.

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