21 Years Later: Ceremony Held To Remember Victims Of Murrah Building Bombing

On Tuesday, Oklahoma City pauses to remember the victims of the Murrah Building Bombing.

April 19, 1995 is a day our city changed forever. At 8:45 a.m. Tuesday, a remembrance ceremony was held inside First Church located on Robinson and N.W. 5th in Oklahoma City.

Robinson between 5th and 6th street was down to one lane in both directions during the ceremony. 

Organizers decided to move the 21st Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony to First Church due to weather. Doors opened to the public at 8 a.m., and the ceremony started at 8:45 a.m. After the ceremony visitors were invited to walk across to the OKC National Memorial and Museum where they can see 168 heart-shaped wreaths are already on each of the empty chairs.

Those who rode in Saturday’s Ride to Remember placed them in honor of each victim.

Every year the names of all 168 victims are be read by survivors or relatives of the victims. Governor Mary Fallin and Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett spoke as well.

This year, Executive Director Kari Watkins said a letter written by President Obama was also read during the ceremony. 

After the ceremony, the public was invited to tour the museum. Admission on Tuesday is complimentary.  It will open after the ceremony at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m.

What organizers hope is that people commit to the Oklahoma Standard this month, performing an act of service, an act of honor, and kindness. And they hope people will share what they're doing using the #OKStandard.

A special tribute will be outside the museum to honor former Oklahoma City assistant fire chief Jon Hansen who passed away last week. He was a dear friend to many of the families of the victims.

Hansen passed away after a year-long battle with cancer. For many he was the source of information during a tragic and confusing time, serving as spokesperson for the Oklahoma City Fire Department.

We’ve learned a restored 1995 OK Fire truck will be parked in front of the Museum on Harvey Street. There will be a card for people to sign and it will be presented to his family at his service next week.