10 Year Celebration Honors Memorial Museum, Lives Lost

Jacqueline Sit, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY – Saturday's 10 year birthday celebration honored the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. It's dedicated to the lives loss, the survivors and rescue workers of the tragedy that forever changed Oklahoma.

A decade ago, the museum was dedicated by President and Mrs. George W. Bush. Today, it's still a living memorial of those who will never forget.

"It was hard to believe it's 10 years. It's hard to believe it's 15 years for the memorial itself and some things change and some things don't," said volunteer Tom Kight.

What hasn't changed for Tom Kight is the memory he has of his stepdaughter Frankie Merrill on that April day.

"She was 22, she left behind a two-year-old," he said

Kight shared the story of victims like his stepdaughter with others. He said being in the museum still tugs at his heart strings.

"There are sometimes when it's more difficult but I can't tell you what day or which time," Kight said.

On this anniversary, Kight gave tours to first time museum visitors like Congressman James Lankford.

"It's a celebration of the individuals that are here, their birthdays, their lives, those that were special to them. It's a great place to come and remember," said Congressman Lankford.

It was an emotional visit for Lankfords' 10-year-old daughter who was born on April 19. For her dad, it was a reminder of all of the moments the victims will miss.

"You realize there are families that will forever remember that birth date, which is interesting because you realize when you walk through, it's not just April 19. There are families who remember all the way throughout the entire year," said Lankford.

Kight uses his time volunteering at the memorial to heal and remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever.

"I have another family here, families of survivors and victims as well. We get together," Kight said.

Admission was free all day in honor of the birthday celebration.

Platt College also presented a 3-D cake at the celebration. Chefs and students designed the cake as a model of the building, Survivor Tree, children's area and rescue workers orchard.

View News 9's Interactive Timeline to learn more about the events leading up to and following the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building.

More: Oklahoma City National Memorial And Museum Celebrating 10 Years Honoring Lives Lost