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We remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever 25 years ago

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Time changes much, but even a quarter of a century later, Oklahoma has not let time take the memories of those impacted by the Alfred P. Murrah building bombing on April 19, 1995.

168 Oklahomans lost their lives when a bomb made of fertilizer and diesel fuel exploded inside a Ryder truck parked below the federal building’s daycare center.

More than 600 people would survive that day, thrust into journeys of healing and rehabilitation from scars that would outlast the physical wounds.

Countless others rushed to the scene of abject horror and wreckage to help in whatever capacity they could. Office chairs became stretchers, citizens became first responders, strangers became comforters.

A crime of pure hate took 168 lives from this world 25 years ago.

But each year, Oklahomans gather to honor and remember the victims and to show that one moment of hate cannot snuff out innumerable acts of love.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum will host the 25th Annual Remembrance Ceremony on Sunday.

KFOR did broadcast the ceremony as we have done for the past 24 years. This year it was different because of coronavirus and social distancing.

Nonetheless, this service will go on even if a different form than Oklahomans have come to know.

The 25th Remembrance Of the Oklahoma City bombing.

During the program, 168 seconds of silence will be observed at 9:02 a.m.

List of those killed in the Oklahoma City bombing:

NINTH FLOOR

Drug Enforcement Administration

U.S. Secret Service

EIGHTH FLOOR

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

SEVENTH FLOOR

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

SIXTH FLOOR

U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting

FIFTH FLOOR

U.S. Department of Agriculture

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

U.S. Customs Office

FOURTH FLOOR

U.S. Department of Transportation/Federal Highway

U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion

THIRD FLOOR

Defense Security Service

Federal Employees Credit Union

SECOND FLOOR

America’s Kids Child Development Center

VISITOR

FIRST FLOOR

Social Security Administration

General Services Administration

THOSE KILLED IN SURROUNDING AREA

Rescue Worker

Athenian Building (Job Corps)

Oklahoma Water Resources Board Building

A quarter century ago, the deadliest act of domestic terrorism occurred in our Nation’s heartland – the bombing of the Alred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.  On April 19, 1995, our Nation lost 168 loved ones in an attack that specifically targeted the federal government.  The attack attempted to tear down the very principles – life, liberty, and the rule of law – that all Americans value.  But those principles of American freedom cannot and will not be shattered. 
In 1995, Oklahomans confronted one of the most evil crimes in U.S. history, said U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Downing.  It gives me pride to know that federal, state, and local law enforcement in Oklahoma met the challenge and, through the efforts of the Department of Justice, ultimately helped heal the wounds all Americans suffered from the bombing.
The Oklahoma City Bombing unmistakably impacted the soul of the United States.  And it may have even tested the faith and resolve of our State and our Nation.  But through the Oklahoma Standard and the perseverance and strength of our Nation, we stand tall and remain the pinnacle of freedom and security.
Twenty-Five years after that horrific day, we remain steadfast and resolute in our memory of the 168 who were killed, the many who survived, and the countless lives changed forever.  We remember and we will never forget.  As we reflect on that fateful day, Americans must take solace that we move forward in a solidified and unified front.  Indeed, the motto of our country could not be more vibrant: E Pluribus Unum – Out Of Many, We Are One.

U.S. ATTORNEY TIMOTHY J. DOWNING

The Oklahoma City bombing was one of the most horrific tragedies in American history, and like all Americans of a certain age, I can still remember the shock as if it happened yesterday. The bombing remains the single biggest act of domestic terrorism our country has faced. Twenty-five years later, our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and our nation again comes together to deal with the uncertainty of how we address an event that touches us all, this time a global pandemic.
This anniversary is also an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come in terms of preventing another Oklahoma City bombing from ever happening again. As the threat has evolved, so too has our approach to security and resilience. Many of CISA’s programs and initiatives are built on a foundation that was created after the Oklahoma City bombing. These include our work with first responders, private sector partners, and officials at all levels of government. Today, CISA works with law enforcement and others to host hundreds of trainings a year on everything from active shooter preparedness to insider threat awareness to bombing prevention. CISA serves as the nation’s risk advisor, and the events of 25 years ago inform the way we collectively manage risk and address the difficult decisions that ensure we are prepared and ready to respond to any violent attacks.
The Oklahoma City tragedy forced the nation to confront risks posed to critical infrastructure on a larger scale, and to form partnerships between the public and private sectors to ensure community resilience. As a result, CISA’s work with critical infrastructure is based on a partnership framework, designed to build resilience into communities through a collaborative approach. We are committed to broadening those partnerships, reaching more people in more communities, because as the lessons of 25 years ago taught us, only by working together can we ensure a secure and resilient infrastructure for the American people to safely enjoy.

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Christopher Krebs