A solemn anniversary: Oklahoma City bombing

Monday marked an extremely tragic, disturbing and solemn anniversary, as survivors and relatives of the 168 people killed in the Oklahoma City federal building bombing met to memorialize the 15th anniversary of that horrific day. Hundreds attended the observance at the Oklahoma City National Memorial to pay tribute to those killed in the April 19, 1995 bombing. More than 600were injured at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Bells rang out in downtown Oklahoma City before the ceremony began just before 9:02 am when the bombing transpired, some of the victims' relatives also visited the site of the attack. Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said the anniversary is remembered with reverence, "not because we can't forget but because we choose to remember."

We have chosen strength, we have chosen optimism, we have chosen freedom, we have chosen to move forward together with a level of unity that is unmatched in any American city.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry and former Governor Frank Keating were also addressed the ceremony. Charlie Hangar, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper who pulled over Timothy McVeigh on Interstate 35 the day of the bombing, also attended. Hangar, now the Noble County sheriff, read aloud the memorial's mission statement when the ceremony began.

Oklahoma City residents held 168 seconds of silence to honor those killed in the attack. Republican Representative Mary Fallin, who was Oklahoma's lieutenant governor when the bombing occurred, read a congressional resolution commemorating the anniversary.

I clearly remember that day when I got home and saw what was unfolding. I was glued to CNN. The images were distrubing and heart-wrenching. I'll never forget it.