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Tragedy to triumph: 30 years after the OKC bombing, a city celebrates how far it's come
For three decades, the strongest bond holding this city together was the shared trauma of the Oklahoma City bombing. Now, after reaching the pinnacle of sports competition — a championship in the NBA — residents of Oklahoma City and the entire state have a celebratory moment of pride that will linger just as long in their hearts.
Sheltered from the hot sun under the shadow of the 9:03 Gate of Time, hundreds of fans gathered along the championship parade route to cheer on their team.
Bob Hawthorne stood in front of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum as the team rode by in open-top buses, just a few feet away from the empty chair bearing the name of his father, Thomas Hawthorne Sr., who was one of 168 people who died as a result of the bombing.
Hawthorne said the Thunder's ascension has helped the city pivot.
"It changed the city's personality to be something bigger. We're not forgetting the bombing, it just changed the city to be something different," he said.
In a profound moment, Thunder stars hopped out of their buses to greet fans in front of the memorial, celebrating what might be the happiest moment in the city's history in the same place where OKC suffered its worst tragedy 30 years ago.
Before the championship parade, several family members of those who died in the bombing decorated the chairs that memorialize their loved ones.
One family wrote a message on a Thunder T-shirt, thanking their dad for teaching them to be good fans.
"I wish we could cheer on the Thunder together. You would get so much joy from this team," they wrote. "Win or lose, they are the best team and this is the best city."
Edmond resident London Rushing said the spot was a great place to see where the city came from and what it went through.
"It's very sobering to be here and watch the parade at the same time, and experience all of Oklahoma City at once," Rushing said. "We've got something else that puts us on the map. Coming from this tragedy together has brought the city together. It's a full-circle moment to be here for this parade."
More: What to know about the Thunder championship parade, the biggest celebration in OKC history
For many, this is the culmination of efforts to shape the city's identity. No longer just a pitstop on the plains that's been battered by tornadoes and terrorism, Oklahoma City has drawn worldwide attention for its successful growth. In the lead-up to this championship, many Oklahomans have realized the first thought on people's minds when they hear OKC is no longer the tragedy of April 19, 1995, but resilience of those who've worked to make this a Big League City.
OKC resident Amy Blackburn posted a thoughtful and widely shared note on Facebook after the championship victory, recognizing that city leaders over the past 30 years have focused on making sure Oklahoma City doesn't just survive, but thrive.
"This isn't just a basketball championship. It's a validation of 30 years of resilience, reinvention, and relentless heart," Blackburn wrote. "It's the spirit of 168 souls who deserved to be here. It's the echo of thousands of Oklahomans who believed — who kept showing up, voting yes, rebuilding, investing, dreaming."
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder championship parade passes by the OKC National Memorial
