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Pandemic affects how Oklahoma City National Memorial puts on remembrance ceremony

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AdvertisementPandemic affects how Oklahoma City National Memorial puts on remembrance ceremonyHide TranscriptShow TranscriptEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MUSEUM ABOUT THE VIRUS AND THE CEREMONY. REPORTER: THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING IS SIGNIFICANT IN MANY WAYS BUT WHAT NO ONE SAW COMING WAS THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC. BECAUSE OF THE SHELTER IN PLACE RESTRICTIONS AND THINKING OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PEOPLE, THE DECISION WAS MADE THAT IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO HOST THE ANNUAL THEIR MONEY ON SITE. &gt;&gt; WE CANNOT BRING -- TO HOST THE ANNUAL CEREMONY ON SITE. &gt;&gt; WE CANNOT HOST THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ON SITE. REPORTER: WE SPOKE WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MEMORIAL VIA A MEMORIAL -- VIA A VIDEO CALL. THAT TREE IS A BEST TESTAMENT TO OUR CITY. REPORTER: AND IN THAT SPIRIT, THE MEMORIAL MOVED FAST TO PUT TOGETHER A NEW WAY TO HONOR THE LIVES LOST AND THOSE THAT SURVIVED. AN HOUR-LONG TELEVISED SPECIAL FOR PEOPLE TO WATCH IN THE SAFETY OF THEIR OWN HOMES. &gt;&gt; THE CEREMONY IS POWERFUL. REPORTER: WATKINS SAYS WHILE THEY ARE VERY DIFFERENT, SHE SEES SOME PARALLELS WITH WHAT HAPPENED ON APRIL 19, 1995 AND WHAT OKLAHOMA CITY AND THE WORLD ARE DEALING WITH TODAY. &gt;&gt; THE SIMILARITIES ARE IN THE GREATNESS OF THE PEOPLE’S RESPONSE. REPORTER: FIRST RESPONDERS NOT BACKING DOWN. HEALTH CARE WORKERS ON THE FRONT LINES. AND EVERY DAY PEOPLE DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO HELP GIVING FOOD AND PRODUCTS TO THOSE IN NEED. &gt;&gt; IT REQUIRES THE VERY BEST OF ALL OF US. TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR. TO LET THE OKLAHOMA STANDARDS SHINE. IT IS A STARK REMINDER TO NOT TAKE A DAY FOR GRANTED. REPORTER: COVID-1 MAY HAVE TAKEN AWAY OUR ABILITY TO GATHER TOGETHER BUT IT CANNOT TAKE AWAY OUR COMMUNITY WHICH HAS SHOWN SUCH RESILIENCE TODAY AND IN THE PAST. &gt;&gt; THERE IS NOTHING WEAdvertisementPandemic affects how Oklahoma City National Memorial puts on remembrance ceremonyThe 25-year mark since the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing in Oklahoma City is significant in many ways, but one reason nobody saw coming was the global coronavirus pandemic. Because of the city's shelter-in-place restriction and thinking of people's health and safety, officials made the decision to not host the annual ceremony on site."We can't bring thousands of people to our site," said Kari Watkins, executive director of the Oklahoma City National Memorial. "Enough people have died because of April 19. Don't make yourself feel bad because we couldn't do everything we have always done."KOCO 5 reporter Zach Rael spoke with Watkins through a video call while he stood under the Survivor Tree."That 100-year-old-plus tree is the best testament to our city. She bent but she didn't break," Watkins said.In that spirit, memorial officials moved fast to put together a new way to honor the lives lost and those who survived. Instead of a ceremony, an hourlong special will be televised for people to watch from the safety of their homes. "It's powerful. It's a whole different way to approach it," Watkins said.She told KOCO 5 that while they are very different, she sees some parallels between what happened on April 19, 1995, and what Oklahoma City and the entire world are dealing with now, with COVID-19."I see similarities in the greatness of people's response," Watkins said.From first responders not backing down in the face of the unknown to health care workers on the front lines, even though they might be put in danger, to just everyday people doing what they can to help, Oklahomans are stepping up to help those in need."It requires the very best of all of us -- to be a good neighbor, to let the Oklahoma Standard shine," Watkins said. "It's a stark reminder that we can't take a day for granted."The coronavirus pandemic may have already taken people's ability to physically gather at the memorial site, but for now, Watkins said, "we will do right for this anniversary at another time."The virus cannot take away from the Oklahoma community that has shown such resilience in the past."There is nothing we can't handle together. We are stronger together," Watkins said.The 25-year mark since the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing in Oklahoma City is significant in many ways, but one reason nobody saw coming was the global coronavirus pandemic. Because of the city's shelter-in-place restriction and thinking of people's health and safety, officials made the decision to not host the annual ceremony on site.Advertisement"We can't bring thousands of people to our site," said Kari Watkins, executive director of the Oklahoma City National Memorial. "Enough people have died because of April 19. Don't make yourself feel bad because we couldn't do everything we have always done."KOCO 5 reporter Zach Rael spoke with Watkins through a video call while he stood under the Survivor Tree."That 100-year-old-plus tree is the best testament to our city. She bent but she didn't break," Watkins said.In that spirit, memorial officials moved fast to put together a new way to honor the lives lost and those who survived. Instead of a ceremony, an hourlong special will be televised for people to watch from the safety of their homes."It's powerful. It's a whole different way to approach it," Watkins said.She told KOCO 5 that while they are very different, she sees some parallels between what happened on April 19, 1995, and what Oklahoma City and the entire world are dealing with now, with COVID-19."I see similarities in the greatness of people's response," Watkins said.From first responders not backing down in the face of the unknown to health care workers on the front lines, even though they might be put in danger, to just everyday people doing what they can to help, Oklahomans are stepping up to help those in need."It requires the very best of all of us -- to be a good neighbor, to let the Oklahoma Standard shine," Watkins said. "It's a stark reminder that we can't take a day for granted."The coronavirus pandemic may have already taken people's ability to physically gather at the memorial site, but for now, Watkins said, "we will do right for this anniversary at another time."The virus cannot take away from the Oklahoma community that has shown such resilience in the past."There is nothing we can't handle together. We are stronger together," Watkins said.Loading more articles...

AdvertisementPandemic affects how Oklahoma City National Memorial puts on remembrance ceremonyHide TranscriptShow TranscriptEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MUSEUM ABOUT THE VIRUS AND THE CEREMONY. REPORTER: THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING IS SIGNIFICANT IN MANY WAYS BUT WHAT NO ONE SAW COMING WAS THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC. BECAUSE OF THE SHELTER IN PLACE RESTRICTIONS AND THINKING OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PEOPLE, THE DECISION WAS MADE THAT IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO HOST THE ANNUAL THEIR MONEY ON SITE. &gt;&gt; WE CANNOT BRING -- TO HOST THE ANNUAL CEREMONY ON SITE. &gt;&gt; WE CANNOT...

Pandemic affects how Oklahoma City National Memorial puts on remembrance ceremony

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