Mandisa, a Grammy-winning contemporary Christian recording artist,\u00a0will sing the national anthem and other inspirational songs at Monday’s event.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland will return next week to Oklahoma City, where he formed strong ties after the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Garland will be the keynote speaker at the 26th Annual Remembrance Ceremony at 8:45 a.m. Monday at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. “We are thrilled U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has accepted our invitation to come to OKC as his first trip out of D.C. to be here for this special anniversary after we had to be apart last year due to COVID-19,” said Kari Watkins, the memorial and museum’s executive director, in an email to The Oklahoman. “He has strong ties to the people of Oklahoma and we look forward to him honoring all those changed forever by April 19,1995.” In addition, Mandisa, a Grammy-winning contemporary Christian recording artist, will sing the national anthem and other inspirational songs at Monday’s event. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the memorial was closed and did not host an in-person remembrance ceremony in 2020 to mark the 25th anniversary of the bombing. The 2021 ceremony will be a ticketed event open only to bombing survivors, family members and first responders. COVID-19 safety protocols will be enforced, including required face masks and social distancing. This year’s anniversary event also will be broadcast at Oklahoman.com, MemorialMuseum.
