OSO, Wash. — Ten years to the day since Oso, Washington, became the site of the nation's deadliest landslide, a memorial park honoring the dozens of victims was officially dedicated.
A moment of silence was observed at 10:37 a.m. on Friday, March 22. It's the precise moment the slide occurred March 22, 2014.
Darrington Fire Chief Joel Johnson, who at the time was the chaplain for the Oso Fire Department, rang a silver bell 43 times in recognition of the 43 people killed in the disaster.
Bag pipes played "Amazing Grace" as people stood listening, honoring, remembering.
"There wasn't a dry eye in the house," said Johnson.
Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers read a proclamation dedicating the park to the community.
The sprawling 4-acre park consists of 26 steel panels, one custom made for each family impacted by the slide. Each was individually made by Seattle artist Tsovinar Muradyan.
Jessica Pszonka lost six family members in the disaster. "It's so peaceful. I can feel my sister here. I can feel them all here," she said.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee was in attendance of the Friday ceremony.
"Oso strong has not just been a slogan, it really is a truth," Inslee said after the ceremony. "There were 19 million tons of earth moved here and 19 million tons of love, strength and resilience the people of this community have shown."
John Hadaway, the brother of Steve Hadaway who died in the slide, called the park "life-changing."
The memorial has observances for families, victims, first responders, survivors and the greater community.
Jessica Pszonka, who worked on the memorial from the beginning, said she hopes it will serve as a place where anyone can visit to process grief and trauma, or to simply sit and be grateful.