Press Releases

POPULAR NATIONAL MEMORIAL SUMMER PROGRAM SHARES ‘STORIES OF HOPE’ WITH MUSEUM VISITORS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 3, 2008

CONTACT: Nancy Coggins, APR
405.235.3313 or 405.760.9053
nc@oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org

POPULAR NATIONAL MEMORIAL SUMMER PROGRAM SHARES ‘STORIES OF HOPE’ WITH MUSEUM VISITORS
Perspectives provide insight into strength and healing of those most affected

OKLAHOMA CITY — Their stories are powerful examples of the hope and resilience this community showed the nation and the world following the April, 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City. Each Friday this summer, Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum visitors can hear from some of the people who bore witness to the tragedy of that day and who have since transformed that tragedy into hope.

First Person– Stories of Hope allows family members, survivors, rescue workers, members of the media and others directly impacted by the bombing to share their remarkable stories inside the Memorial Museum. Visitors to the Museum can experience these special talks at 1:30 p.m., Fridays, June 6 – August 29 with paid admission to the Memorial Museum.

“The stories these individuals tell about that day and what has happened in their lives since are incredible,” said Kari Watkins, Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum executive director. “We all have things we can learn about hope and resilience through listening to their stories.”

Each Friday throughout the summer will feature a different speaker. Former Oklahoma City CBS Affiliate KWTV reporter Tamara Pratt will be featured June 6.

Pratt was an investigative reporter in 1995, and covered gavel to gavel the federal trials of Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols for their roles in the Oklahoma City bombing. During twelve years with KWTV, Pratt, an award winning reporter and anchor, was key in uncovering problems in the Transportation Safety Administration’s security at a world airport and exposed corporate environmental crimes in Ponca City, Okla.

As Communications Director for the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, Pratt acts as a consultant to emergency managers in courthouse preparedness for high-profile cases and assists in Public Information and Business Continuity trainings as an expert.

“This summer we will hear from many of the reporters who covered the bombing, the trials and the memorialization process to complement Reporting Terrorism,” said Watkins. “The media perspective is certainly a big part of the story, and to hear first-hand accounts from a journalist’s perspective is going to be very interesting to our visitors.”

Reporting Terrorism is a special exhibit created by the Memorial to examine the media’s evolving coverage of terrorism, beginning with Oklahoma City. The exhibit is on display at the Memorial Museum through December 31. First Person: Stories of Hope is made possible through the generous support of The Merrick Foundation.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum was created to honor those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever by the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. The Memorial and Museum are dedicated to educating visitors about the impact of violence, informing about events surrounding the bombing, and inspiring hope and healing through lessons learned by those affected.

The Outdoor Symbolic Memorial is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is free of charge. The Memorial Museum is open Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sunday, 1-6p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors (62+) and $6 for students (six years old - college with valid ID). Children under six are admitted free. Group rates and programs are available. Special exhibits are included in the cost of admission. Ticket sales end at 5 p.m. daily. The Museum is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

For more information on the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, call (888) 542-HOPE or visit www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org.

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Photos and bios of First Person speakers are available to media outlets needing images. Please e-mail Nancy Coggins (nc@oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org) to request images for publication.

2008 Summer Schedule of Speakers
June 6  Tamara Pratt, former anchor/reporter, KWTV
June 13 Terri Watkins, former reporter, KOCO
June 20 Bettie Lewis, family member
June 27 Cindy Ferrell Ashwood, family member
July 4  Linda Cavanaugh, anchor, KFOR
July 11  Richard & Lynne Williams, Survivor and spouse
July 18  Dianne Dooley, Survivor
July 25  Chris Fields, First Responder/OCFD
August 1 Jerry Bohnen & Carrie Hulsey-Greene, news director, KTOK and former reporter, KTOK
August 8 Tony Stizza, Charles Shepherd & Rich Kriegel, photojournalists
August 15 Renee Moore, family member
August 22 Sue Hale, Joe Hight & Ed Kelley, The Oklahoman
August 29 Charlie Hanger, former Oklahoma Highway Patrol

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