Tags
Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, Blogs, Domestic Terrorism, Oklahoma City bombing, Static in the Airwaves, Terry Nichols, Tim L O'Brien, Timothy McVeigh
“For the survivors of the crimes and for the families of the dead the pain goes on.” – Former President George W. Bush
April 19, 1995.
On some days it seems just like yesterday. Other days, well, its seems like a lifetime ago.
It was one of those moments in our history which falls under the heading, “Where were you when…”
Like the day Kennedy was assassinated. Or when John Lennon and Ronald Reagan were shot. We remember where we were when we heard the news. Of course, we all remember where we were when we saw the images of planes flying into buildings in New York City as we sat in shock, our eyes glued to the television.
April 19, 1995. The day that shook America. The day that shocked Oklahoma City. The day terrorism came on our own soil. The largest act of domestic terrorism to our country. A day that brought death to 168 innocent lives, including 19 children, destroying families in America’s heartland.
A day for those of us in Oklahoma that we will never forget, nor should we ever forget. A day seventeen years ago that we still vividly remember.
These things just don’t happen in Oklahoma, a state more noted for college football national championships and a Rogers and Hammerstein musical. A state built upon moral character and conservative values.
April 19, 1995. The day a yellow Ryder rental truck driven by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols brought real world terror to our front door step. A day we lost 168 of our brothers and sisters in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. A day where 680 were injured. By a bomb built by cowards. A bomb that destroyed over 300 buildings in a 16 block radius.
Timothy McVeigh was executed by the federal government in June of 2001. Nichols wasn’t given the death sentence, and still resides in a Colorado Supermax prison facility where he still complains about the food.
So many questions still to ask. So many answers that will never come.
For more information on the Oklahoma City Memorial and Museum click on the link to take you to the website. If you are ever in the area or visiting Oklahoma stop by and visit the Memorial site.
The following is a video tribute to the music of Live’s Lightening Crashes.
Please continue to honor the victims and their families.
Don’t ever forget….
Tim L O'Brien's Blog - Static In The Airwaves 
So very sad to remember….
So very sad and still shocking…
I went to that memorial when I was in OKC and it was beautiful…and awful. I cried for 20 minutes, and walked all the way down that wall, reading all the notes.
I know there are those who would disagree with me, but both those men should have been sentenced the same (and it wouldn’t include time to bitch about the food).
It is a very beautiful memorial. To think that people are capable of doing something so horrific to innocent people is still somewhat shocking.
Watching Terry Nichols file lawsuits about the food he was served in prison made you hope the guards would let him escape so the rest of us could serve him a justice he more rightly deserves.
What a tragic day. Thanks for the reminder Tim. My sympathies
The city of Oklahoma City has done a great job in commemorating this day each year with marathons, etc…While I did not lose anyone that I knew personally in the bombing this day is a reminder how our community and the nation came together to help those that were suffering.
I clicked the Like button, but that somehow doesn’t seem an appropriate word. There should be a Think button.
I agree 100%
Very touching, Tim.
Thanks for the reminder and the tribute.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Thank you Patricia!
You’re right. This is one of those times we remember where we were when we heard the news. I agree with Jenny that both of those men should’ve had the same sentence. Cowards indeed. I just don’t understand how anyone can conceive of killing innocent people. Thanks for the tribute, Tim.
Thank you Tameri. You’re right…they both deserved the same punishment.
Thank you for this timely and important reminder, Tim! Lovely to learn that Oklahoma City commemorates the day and honors the victims. They should get far more attention than the offenders.
Oklahoma City continues to hold many great events marking the anniversary. City officials have handled this tragedy in a tasteful and dignified manner.
Sorry to be late to the party here TIm, or should I say seriously, a memorial. Thank you for writing about this. I can imagine how close to home, to your heart this tragedy was/is. I didn’t realize that three hundred buildings were destroyed. Wow. I do remember the incident. I was working on several homes for firemen in Phoenix who left for Oklahoma because they were experts in search and rescue. It was horrifying. 😦