25 Years Later: Remembering Those We Lost in Oklahoma City

Twenty-five years ago, on April 19, 1995, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was bombed. The explosion killed 168 people, including 35 HUD employees, with HUD sustaining the most deaths of any agency in the building. On that terrible day, amazing and vital lives were cut short by a senseless act of terrorism, and we in HUD will never forget them.

Twenty-five years later, nine OKC employees who survived the bombing are still working at HUD and serving our country's most vulnerable populations. Their dedication to HUD and to improving our nation's communities is as strong as ever and is a testament to their dedication to public service and our nation's resilient character. They are an inspiration to us all.

On this 25th Anniversary of the bombing, we honor our lost HUD co-workers with a poem written by a HUD survivor, Robert Reddy. It references the OKC National Memorial, where near a reflecting pool, chairs have been placed on the grass, one for each person who lost their life that day. It is a peaceful and beautiful tribute.

Our Place in Time

By broken walls I touch your chair.
Near tree and pool I lift my prayer.
At gates of time, try as they may,
the days fly through and find their way.
As seasons pass and years increase,
The call of life brings measured peace.
Unlike before and not as clear,
But on this path, I know you're near.

For there's a place I hear you still.
And there I know I always will.
Though ages pass they cannot part
The place you hold within my heart.

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