Visitors to the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum usually can meet a National Park Service ranger on the grounds, where rangers lead tours or help visitors interpret the symbolic elements of the outdoor memorial.

But during the federal government shutdown, those rangers have been furloughed.

Instead, people affected by the April 19, 1995 bombing are stepping in to lead the tours.

The memorial is operated by a standalone nonprofit and remains open, but as part of the National Park Service, it utilizes park rangers to secure and staff the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial.

Starting Wednesday, Oct. 8, family members of the victims, survivors, first responders and others affected by the tragedy will fill tour slots while the shutdown persists, according to a news release.

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