It was April 19, 2025. I was at my desk, working for the federal government, just like any other morning. But something felt different. Managers were moving quickly through the office, visibly unsettled. I noticed one manager wheeling a television into her office, while others gathered around. It was clear something had just happened—something bad.

Thirty years ago today, a bomb exploded at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. That horrific act of domestic terrorism took 168 lives, including 19 children.

A television news crew arrived at our office seeking reactions from federal employees. Because of my media background, I was asked to speak. I had just been briefed on what we knew at the time. All I could share was that my thoughts were with the parents of the children killed or injured in the attack.

After retiring in 2011, I took a long road trip out west. One of my goals was to visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial, built on the site of the Murrah Building. The memorial features a serene reflecting pool, powerful artwork, and a field of empty chairs—one for each person who died that day. The smaller chairs represent the children. It was a deeply moving experience.

There is also a museum on site, open to the public for a small fee. I spent time there reflecting on the events of that tragic day. I believe every federal employee should visit that memorial at some point. On April 19, 1995, workers and their children walked into that building—and by mid-morning, 168 lives had been taken, and more than 600 others were injured.

As a retired federal employee who served for 28 years, I will never forget that day. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to visit the memorial, and I hope it continues to stand as a reminder to future generations—to honor those we lost and to ensure we never forget.