Families Gather at OKC Bombing Memorial to Honor Lost Loved Ones

31 years after the tragic attack, survivors and victims' families continue to grieve and find ways to move forward.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 9:06pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered piece of glass or debris from the Oklahoma City bombing, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying the gritty, investigative nature of the crime scene.The haunting remnants of the Oklahoma City bombing serve as a stark reminder of the tragedy's lasting impact on the community.Oklahoma City Today

On the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, hundreds gathered at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum to honor the 168 lives lost in the 1995 terrorist attack. Survivors like Michael Reyes and family members of victims, including 92-year-old Roy Sells, shared emotional reflections on the lasting impact of the tragedy and their ongoing efforts to preserve the memory of those they lost.

Why it matters

The Oklahoma City bombing remains one of the most devastating acts of domestic terrorism in U.S. history. This annual memorial ceremony provides an opportunity for the community to come together, grieve, and reflect on the profound and lasting impact of the tragedy, while also looking to the future and focusing on education, awareness, and preventing such senseless violence from occurring again.

The details

The memorial ceremony featured 168 seconds of silence to honor each of the victims, as well as the reading of the names of those who died. Survivors like Michael Reyes, who was working in the HUD office when the bombing occurred, shared how the grief and trauma of losing loved ones, including his father, continues to affect them decades later. Doris Jones, who lost her daughter and unborn grandson, has been actively involved in the memorial's creation and management, helping other victims' families find community and healing.

  • The Oklahoma City bombing occurred on April 19, 1995.
  • The annual memorial ceremony takes place each year on April 19.
  • This year's ceremony marked the 31st anniversary of the tragedy.

The players

Roy Sells

A 92-year-old Texas resident who lost his wife, Leora Lee Sells, in the bombing. He attends the annual memorial ceremony to honor her memory.

Michael Reyes

A survivor of the bombing who was working in the HUD office of the Murrah Building when the attack occurred. He lost his father, Antonio 'Tony' C. Reyes, in the tragedy.

Doris Jones

An active member of the memorial's creation and management, having lost her 26-year-old daughter, Carrie Ann Lenz, and her unborn grandson, Michael James Lenz III, in the bombing.

Chris Fleming

The chairman of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum's board of trustees.

Kari Watkins

The president and CEO of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.

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What they’re saying

“I can remember right back to what I was doing, even taking a bite of breakfast, when that bomb went off, and I was 10 miles away. It's hard to go through this, but I feel like I must, because she was my wife and I loved her. She was everything I had at that time, but the world turned upside down when she left.”

— Roy Sells

“Every year is different, you know? Sometimes it's easier; sometimes it's harder. You just don't know how it's going to be. Some days, you feel strong; some days, you don't.”

— Michael Reyes

“Someone told me the other day that grief is love that can't find where it's supposed to go. It's been an emotional year, and I was telling someone a while back, 'You know, no one ever said you need to be strong for your mother.' No one ever said that. And I was telling that story to someone today, and I said, 'Well, maybe Dad did.'”

— Michael Reyes

“I'm just thankful that we're still able to come out, because I know that there's so many people that I've known over the last 31 years and those faces are gone. That's hard.”

— Doris Jones

“It's important to do it so that we teach new generations, new people, the story, who've either moved here and didn't live through it or were people who weren't born yet. When you see the families, you see how personal this is to them, and you really understand the impact of the violence and how needless it was. I think it's so important to bring people to this moment to remember.”

— Kari Watkins, President and CEO, Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

What’s next

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is currently undergoing construction on a new 'Foreword' addition that will feature upgraded technology and educational programming to help preserve the memory of the bombing and its victims for future generations. The annual Memorial Marathon, which draws around 30,000 runners, is also an important upcoming event for the memorial.

The takeaway

The Oklahoma City bombing remains a deeply personal and traumatic event for the survivors and victims' families, who continue to grapple with the lasting impact of the tragedy 31 years later. However, the annual memorial ceremony serves as an important opportunity for the community to come together, honor those lost, and recommit to preventing such senseless acts of violence from occurring again in the future.