30 Stories of Light

For our 30th edition of 30 Stories of Light, we're reflecting on all we've accomplished halfway through this 30th anniversary year – and how the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum's mission has reached and moved thousands. What began as an idea to share untold, deeply personal stories became a tribute to the people who helped make healing and hope possible. Thirty stories for thirty years since the bombing – each one a light in the darkness. While the weekly series is coming to a close, we'll continue sharing stories through the rest of this meaningful anniversary year. Thank you for joining us on this journey. Go out and #bethelight

Each of the 168 empty chairs at the Oklahoma City National Memorial stands as a deeply personal tribute — a loved one missing from the dinner table, the dugout at a Little League game, the church pews, the classroom. Each chair symbolizes someone killed on April 19, 1995. Behind the stillness and simplicity of the Field of Empty Chairs lies a story of intentional design and craftsmanship. In this week's edition of 30 Stories of Light, learn from the designers and the craftsman who created these chairs. From the choice of translucent glass bases with glowing lights to the placement of each chair, each element was chosen with reverence and meaning. #BeTheLight

In this week's edition of 30 Stories of Light, learn how a spontaneous act of remembrance in 1995 became a symbol of hope and unity. Visitors from around the world left items, small pieces of themselves, on this fence to mourn, to honor, and to heal. Today, a section of that original fence still stands, woven with memories and messages, reminding us of A Day of Darkness and Years of Light. Even in the face of tragedy, community and compassion endure. #BeTheLight

This week's edition of 30 Stories of Light focuses on how, in the immediate aftermath of the 1995 bombing, the Myriad Convention Center became an unexpected center of relief. The Oklahoma Restaurant Association was in the middle of its annual trade show when the bomb exploded. Within minutes, vendors and organizers repurposed their event to feed and take care of first responders, including the 11 Urban Search and Rescue teams arriving from across the country. The Myriad became a base of operations. For nearly three weeks, many lived and worked inside the Myriad. It was here that the Oklahoma Standard—Service, Honor, and Kindness—was born. As the building is set to be demolished to make way for a new arena, its legacy will remain as a place where our people came together and took care of each other when it mattered most.

This week’s edition of 30 Stories of Light highlights how the University of Oklahoma honored the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing with a powerful, week-long teach-in. Through meaningful multi-disciplinary events and ceremonies, students—many of whom were not yet born in 1995—had the opportunity to engage with a story that shaped our state and nation. The commemoration emphasized the importance of learning from the tragedy, the extraordinary response that followed, and how a Day of Darkness turned into Years of Light.

The Survivor Tree withstood the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing—and today, it stands as a powerful symbol of resilience, hope, and the enduring spirit of a community that came together in the face of tragedy. In this week's edition of 30 Stories of Light, learn more about this tree, the people who take care of it, how we keep spreading its branches and what it means for the next generation of Oklahomans.

The Jim Norick Arena at the Oklahoma State Fair hosts its final events before being demolished later this month. This historic arena has seen it all – concerts, horse shows, basketball games, and more. Perhaps its most important moment came in the days following the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. As we look back on the Day of Darkness, we are reminded of the Years of Light and the role this space played in helping a community begin to heal. First Lady Cathy Keating led a non-denominational prayer service that was organized in just a few days. Thousands of Oklahomans united together, not letting differences divide them. President and First Lady Clinton attended. City, state, and federal leaders spoke. The Philharmonic played. Reverend Billy Graham shared words of comfort. As Governor Frank Keating said that day: “This arena holds at most a few thousand people, but today it contains the heart of the nation.”

For 25 years, this group of "Volunteered-Them-Alls" has been the quiet force behind the @Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. They meet throughout the year to plan, prepare, and remember. They don’t do it for recognition, but because they believe in the power of Service, Honor, and Kindness – the tenets of the Oklahoma Standard. Over 3,000 volunteers make the #RUNtoREMEMBER more than a race – it’s a movement. There’s a place for everyone to get involved. Join us. Make a difference. If you're running, cheering, or volunteering yourself this year, keep an eye out for them.

This week’s 30 Stories of Light shines on the “Conscience Committee” — a group of family members, survivors, and first responders whose lives were changed forever by the Oklahoma City bombing. Working hand-in-hand with the Memorial staff, they ensure that each step forward is taken with care. They are the heartbeat behind the mission, the conscience behind every step forward.

This anniversary week we are honored to release two special editions of 30 Stories of Light. This video serves as a tribute to the enduring leadership behind the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. We take this moment to recognize and honor the individuals who have served as Chairs of our Board of Trustees. These leaders—comprised of family members, survivors, first responders, and committed community members—have shouldered the great responsibility of guiding this institution through the years. With unwavering dedication, they have led with vision, compassion, and a commitment to our mission: to remember those who were killed, those who survived, and those changed forever. Their leadership ensures that every decision made honors that mission, and we are deeply grateful for their service.

Across from the Memorial’s 9:01 Gate at 5th and Robinson stands the Heartland Chapel. Built in the summer of 1995 as a gift to First Methodist Church after their building was destroyed in the bombing, this interfaith chapel was created in just a few days. A true symbol of unity, it was a gift from the Jewish Federation Oklahoma City, the Jewish Federation of America, the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, and the Islamic Society of America – they helped build this beautiful chapel on the grounds of First Church. In this week’s edition of 30 Stories of Light, watch how First Methodist Church, the Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City, the Islamic Society of Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, and Total Environment, came together to rebuild and refurbish the chapel.

In this week’s edition of 30 Stories of Light, watch the creative process unfold and go behind the scenes of a project nearly 30 years in the making. As Oklahoma City continues to grow and evolve, we wanted to create a fitting tribute to welcome visitors to downtown. For our 30th anniversary, A Day of Darkness, Years of Light, it was essential that our special installation and gift to the people of Oklahoma City echoed this message. In partnership with the City of OKC and Downtown OKC, and thanks to the work of G&S Sign Services and Yard & CO., we’ve created a unique illumination of the Sixth Street Downtown Gateway. This project, now standing as a symbol of hope, resilience, and the emergence of light from darkness can be seen as you take the 6th Street or Harrison Exits off I-235, heading west into downtown. Take a drive by the new downtown OKC gateway this weekend. #BeTheLight

In this week’s edition of 30 Stories of Light, we hear from members of the original Memorial Task Force who helped turn a Day of Darkness into Years of Light. Thanks to their leadership, a powerful, inclusive Memorial came together in less than five years.

This week’s edition of 30 Stories of Light focuses on the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Senior Marathon and how residents at Spanish Cove Retirement Village are preparing for the race this year. After winning the cash prize for the highest number of participants last year, they are looking to reclaim their title! These senior marathoners walk or run 25 miles over the months before race weekend, and on race day they meet at the start line to complete their last 1.2 miles. Whether you choose to run or walk, this race is a powerful way to keep active and celebrate life!

In this edition of 30 Stories of Light, we meet experts from Oklahoma State University’s Center for Fire and Explosives, Forensic Investigation, Training and Research (CENFEX) program, one of the top forensic and explosives training programs in the nation. CENFEX isn't just about research—it’s about turning tragedy into a tool for prevention. Many of their faculty and staff were first responders to the Oklahoma City bombing, and they use their firsthand experiences to educate the next generation of law enforcement and military investigators. With testing labs and a 320-acre explosives range facility, CENFEX provides real-world training that equips students with the knowledge needed to prevent future tragedies and protect our communities.

From Fire Engine 1, the first to arrive, to the iconic police car with 'We Will Never Forget' written on its rear glass, these symbols remind us of the strength of our community and honor the bravery and unity that defined the response to the Oklahoma City bombing. In this week’s edition of 30 Stories of Light, we hear from retired Oklahoma City Fire Chief and Incident Commander Gary Marrs, current Fire Chief Richard Kelley, and Oklahoma City Police Chief Ron Bacy about the incredible collaboration between agencies that helped them carry out this monumental response. These symbols stand as a testament to the courage, integrity, and unity of all who served.

Honoring the past by preserving it for the future. This week's edition of 30 Stories of Light focuses on our Archives Fellows from the University of Central Oklahoma and how they are helping to process and catalog items from the Field of Empty Chairs. Each item tells a story—memories of those who were killed, and the families, survivors, and first responders who remain and carry the weight of this history. This meaningful task is part of a bigger mission to keep their memory alive. These items continue to touch lives, and our Archives team is here to ensure they're preserved for future generations.

This week’s edition of 30 Stories of Light follows the incredible story of an antique collector’s discovery of a photo album related to the Oklahoma City bombing at a store in Arizona. Upon further inspection, Dave Fontani immediately knew it belonged to someone’s family, not the store’s shelves. He contacted the Memorial Archives and mailed the photo album as soon as he could. As it turned out, this photo album belongs to Jessica Foley’s family and it included images she had never seen before of precious and painful family memories. Jessica’s mother, Master Sgt. Victoria Sohn of the Army Recruiting Battalion, was killed in the bombing. Hear this story as Jessica meets Dave and thanks him for finding the Scrapbook full of Memories.

This week’s 30 Stories of Light takes us back to April 1995 when legendary football coach Barry Switzer and his Super Bowl-winning Dallas Cowboys visited Oklahoma City. Alongside Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Coach Switzer brought the team to the bombing site to honor and lift the spirits of the first responders. Coach Switzer used this visit to teach his players about the impact of violence and the incredible display of teamwork from all of the first responders. The visit was deeply personal—Coach Switzer’s close friend and former player, Mickey Maroney, was killed in the bombing. Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, who led the team to three Super Bowl victories, also had a connection: his sister, Tammy Powell, was a nurse at St. Anthony’s Hospital during the aftermath.

Excitement is all around following the announcement of our new expansion, Foreword. In this week's edition of 30 Stories of Light, learn how this undertaking brings together a collaboration between trustees, staff, and the same team of incredible designers who helped build both the Memorial and Museum. Patrick Gallagher and his team from Gallagher Associates in Washington, DC, will shape the interior experience, and Hans and Torrey Butzer of the Butzer Design Team, will ensure the exterior respects and enhances the Memorial’s significance.

This week’s edition of 30 Stories of Light highlights the kickoff training run for the 25th Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon! It's about more than running — it’s about celebrating life. This past weekend, runners braved the freezing temperatures, laced up their shoes, and hit the pavement to start their journey toward April’s race. It was an epic day filled with positive energy as we kicked off this exciting chapter of our marathon training. It was an incredible blend of community spirit and dedication. Not only did we get moving, but we also recorded episode one of our #RUNtoREMEMBER podcast and celebrated our collaboration with Lively Beer Works. Thank you to all of our partners who helped make this incredible day possible.

When the Memorial and Museum opened, education programs for school children were a top priority. One school in an Oklahoma City suburb had more families impacted than any other school. Frances Leonard, who lost her brother in the bombing, and her Principal Jeff Edwards decided to turn this tragedy into a lifetime of lessons. Today, almost 30 years later, that groundwork still plays a critical role in the lessons we teach. In this week’s 30 Stories of Light, meet the Principal who had the passion to help middle school students understand the impact of violence.

From funds helping to rebuild and improve iconic structures, to the creation of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, this next story in our 30 Stories of Light series is a testament to collaboration and vision. The decision to keep the federal building downtown and the construction of the Devon Tower show the remarkable renaissance of our city. It's proof that healing begins when people come together after tragedy, and strength and hope can emerge from that unity.

In today's edition of 30 Stories of Light, we explore the significance of nature in healing. The Loblolly Pines surrounding the Field of Empty Chairs, which form the perimeter of where the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building once stood, were placed there very intentionally. Chosen for their adaptability and evergreen nature, these trees stand as living symbols of strength and peace. Hear how a local man’s dream of planting seedlings in the mid-1980s in McLoud, Oklahoma, turned into the amazing trees we enjoy today. Meet the team that collaborated on how they went about choosing, planting, and preserving these trees on this sacred ground.

Special angels have been crafted by the women of First United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City for years. The stained glass from their church windows destroyed in the bombing, hold not just the faith of those who made them, but the courage of all who were impacted. These symbols remind us that even in the darkest moments, hope can be hand-crafted, piece by piece. These angels are available for purchase in the Memorial store.

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, MTM Recognition created exclusive badges for first responders. These beautiful keepsakes are reminders of the sacrifice these men and women made on April 19, 1995, and continue to make each day. Challenge coins were created for members of the public to be able to honor and remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever, almost 30 years ago. Half of all proceeds benefit the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.

Resilience is woven into the fabric of our community. Four businesses — three that have stood strong since before the bombing and one that embodies the spirit of our 'new' downtown — share how April 19th, 1995, changed our city but also united us in ways that have shaped the thriving, vibrant community we see today. From the enduring legacy of those who’ve been here through it all, to the fresh energy of new arrivals, the heart of Oklahoma City beats stronger than ever.

This week, the Conscience Committee joined our Teen Board and placed holiday wreaths on each of the 168 Chairs in the Field of Empty Chairs.