OKLAHOMA CITY -The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum hosted a wreath-laying ceremony as part of Navy Week, Sept. 21.

Rear Adm. Peg Klein, the senior advisor to the Secretary of Defense for military professionalism, along with City Councilman David Greenwell were present to perform the ceremony.

"I remember reading about the bombing and thinking how horrible this tragedy was," said Klein.
Klein, who has been stationed in the Oklahoma City area three times, recalls how the bombings affected both her personal and professional lives.

"Peter L. DeMaster was somebody I worked closely with when I first moved here and he was lost in the bombing," said Klein. "We also lost Legalman 1st Class Kimberly Kay Clark in the tragedy."
"The bombing impacted so many lives from all walks of life including the Navy," said Kari Watkins, the executive director at the museum.

Klein pointed out what the Memorial means to many Sailors today. "When I came back in 2003, the Navy really embraced what the memorial meant to us," said Klein. "I've done countless reenlistments here and it really connects us to the community."

"We value the community partnership we have always shared with the Navy and are honored that Navy Week Oklahoma City started here at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum," said Watkins.

"We shared in the tragedy but we also share in how the community pulled together," said Klein.
The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum was built in memory of those who lost their lives during the Oklahoma City bombings, Apr. 19, 1995.

Oklahoma City Navy Week is one of 12 Navy Weeks in 2015 that focus a variety of Navy assets, equipment and personnel on a single city for a week-long series of engagements designed to bring America's Navy closer to the people it protects, in areas without a significant Navy presence.