Oklahoma City Bombing Remembrance Ceremony offers hope, praises strength of those changed forever

Saturday, those changed forever by the events of April 19, 1995, gathered for the 30th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony. The ceremony was held at First Church in Oklahoma City and honored the 168 lives lost in the terror attack at the Alfred P. Murrah building 30 years ago.

Keynote speaker former President Bill Clinton praised Oklahomans for their resilience and determination to keep the memory of their loved ones alive. Clinton touted the Oklahoma Standard, a way of life that became the norm in Oklahoma in the days after the bombing, as many rushed to help and support their neighbors, no matter what the cost.

Those lost in the tragedy were honored by those changed forever with 168 seconds of silence, and the reading of the victims' names by family, friends, and community leaders.

Other speakers included former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, and U.S. Senator James Lankford. Pictures, videos, and coverage of the ceremony are featured in this article.

Watch the full Oklahoma City bombing remembrance ceremony

Former President Clinton's speech praising the Oklahoma Standard

Former President Bill Clinton shared a message of hope and unity during his keynote speech Saturday. Clinton was U.S. President when the bombing occurred in 1995 and spoke at the memorial service in the days following the tragedy.

WATCH FULL SPEECH: Clinton reflects on 'Oklahoma Standard' at 30th anniversary of OKC Bombing

"I know the pain has never gone away. I know you still miss the people you lost," Clinton said. "But by continuing to love them and honor them, and working to rebuild your own lives and the lives of this community, you've gone a long way to redeem the lives they were not able to live. And just as important you have given America a very great gift."

"Every year, we get together and reaffirm your model of how despite all of our differences and in case you haven't noticed, we've got a few," Clinton said. "In spite of all of them, we can still find a way to move forward together with the Oklahoma Standard. Service, honor, kindness."

MORE FROM CLINTON: Clinton reflects on Oklahoma City's compassionate response after 1995 bombing

SLIDESHOW: President Bill Clinton watching News 9, visiting OKC National Memorial, paying tribute to OKC bombing victims

Moments of silence and reading of the names of 168 victims killed in the Oklahoma City bombing

The names of all 168 victims of the 1995 bombing were read aloud in a moment of reflection and remembrance.

The reading of names is a longstanding tradition that connects the community through collective grief and resilience. It also underscores the mission of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum: to honor those who were killed, those who survived, and those changed forever.

MORE INFO: 168 names read aloud in solemn tribute at OKC bombing remembrance ceremony

Attendees at the Oklahoma City bombing memorial ceremony at the First Church honored each of the lives lost in the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building by holding a moment of silence for 168 seconds.

MORE INFO: Silence for the fallen: Remembering the victims of April 19, 1995

Sen. James Lankford on lasting impact of the tragedy, healing in the decades following

U.S. Senator James Lankford delivered remarks Saturday at the Oklahoma City Bombing Remembrance Ceremony held at First Church, marking 30 years since the 1995 tragedy that claimed 168 lives.

Speaking to a full audience, Lankford reflected on the enduring impact of the bombing, telling those gathered that they are the “living legacy” of the lives lost. He emphasized that in the three decades since the attack, Oklahomans have learned powerful lessons about healing, faith, and unity.

Sen. Lankford honors victims and lessons of OKC bombing

Gov. Kevin Stitt notes the day that changed Oklahoma forever, praises compassion shown after the bombing

Gov. Kevin Stitt marked the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing Friday with a solemn remembrance of the 168 lives lost and a tribute to the strength and compassion shown in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Speaking at the First Church, Stitt called the April 19, 1995, bombing “an act of unimaginable violence that changed our city, our state, and our nation forever.”

“We saw helpers, people who didn’t wait to be asked, who ran towards danger, who gave without hesitation,” Stitt said.

WATCH STITT'S FULL SPEECH: Gov. Stitt honors victims, heroes on 30th anniversary of OKC Bombing

OKC Mayor David Holt urges Oklahomans to honor victims, hold on to hope that tomorrow will be better

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt shared a message of hope at the ceremony marking 30 years since the bombing in Oklahoma City.

“Tomorrow means a better day,” Holt said, urging Oklahomans to continue honoring the legacy of the victims by standing united against hatred and acts of evil.

Former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating honors victims of bombing 30 years after tragedy

Former Gov. Frank Keating offered a message of remembrance and hope during a ceremony marking 30 years since the Oklahoma City bombing.

“April 19, 1995, was a day of horror and tragedy,” Keating said. “It was unbelievable for those of us who were here and there to comprehend that the devil himself walks the earth and murdered 168 of our neighbors and friends.”

WATCH KEATING'S FULL SPEECH: Former Gov. Keating reflects on faith, unity at OKC Bombing Memorial

Before the ceremony, crowds gathered at the Oklahoma City National Memorial despite the weather

The fence at the Oklahoma City National Memorial was originally part of the bombing scene in 1995, and still stands as a place for visitors to leave tokens of hope and remembrance.

LEARN MORE: A sacred place: Visitors leave tributes at OKC Bombing Memorial fence

The fence and memorial serve as enduring symbols of Oklahoma's strength, remembrance, and unity. The ceremony is expected to offer a sense of togetherness and reflection for everyone connected to the event.

Among the solemn tributes at the Oklahoma City National Memorial are 168 empty chairs. The 168 empty chairs represent each person killed in the bombing on April 19, 1995. The chairs are arranged in nine rows, each row representing a floor of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. 19 smaller chairs represent the children who died.

OKC Memorial's field of empty chairs tells 168 stories of loss

First Church, with a capacity of around 1,400, filled early, as people began lining up before 8 a.m. News 9’s Alex Cameron, reporting live from the scene, described a long line of attendees stretching as far as the eye could see.

Among those present were faces rarely seen in public in recent years but forever linked to April 19, 1995. Charlie Hanger, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper who famously pulled over Timothy McVeigh 78 minutes after the bombing, was in attendance. So was Calvin Moser, one of the key witnesses who testified against McVeigh at trial.

WATCH MORE: Leaders, survivors, and the community gather to remember OKC bombing, 30 years later

Security is heightened around the Oklahoma City National Memorial as former President Bill Clinton is expected to speak during the annual remembrance ceremony.

Despite concerns that inclement weather would impact turnout, large crowds began gathering outside First Church across from the memorial as early as 6 a.m. 

MORE COVERAGE: Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial draws large crowd despite weather concerns

Following the ceremony, admission to the Memorial Museum will be free thanks to Cox Communications' support. The Memorial and Museum will close at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Other key moments in April marking 30 years since the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City:

1. On April 4, the Sixth Street downtown gateway was illuminated with the words “Be the light.” The display symbolizes a beacon of hope and the city’s resolve to help each other after tragedy.
2. On April 10, the Heartland Chapel, located just across the street from the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, was rededicated. In the weeks after the bombing, leaders from a variety of faiths came together to build a safe space for people to come and find peace at the chapel.
3. April 26-27, the 25th annual “Run to Remember” will bring 6 races to OKC, culminating in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. All event proceeds benefit the Memorial Museum.

MORE COVERAGE:

Oklahoma City bombing victim’s son reflects on 30 years of healing and resilience

How to support the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

30 years after OKC bombing, ‘Project Heartland’ still helping Oklahomans heal