In Memoriam
On April 19, 1995 at 9:02 am, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the morning air
was shattered by the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.The
world watched in horror as events unfolded on that bright spring morning
. Lost forever were 168 friends and co-workers as well as brothers, sisters,
husbands, wives and children...
The major explosion destroyed 168 lives, including 19 children. A nurse
on a rescue mission afterward was killed during the rescue attempt. In
all, 490 people were injured.
The source of the blast was a Ryder truck driven to Oklahoma City with
an estimated 4800 lbs. of fertilizer and fuel oil based explosives inside.
One lone individual has been convicted of planning and carrying out this
deed and was given the death penalty. Others who played a part in this
have received various prison sentences.
Rescuers were on the scene immediately to help the countless victims.
Civilians, firefighters and law enforcement officials worked tirelessly
and at great risk to their own lives to rescue the injured and recover
the dead. After a tedious rescue effort involving teams of firefighters
and volunteer rescuers from across the country there remained only three
victims unaccounted for in the rubble.
The next day a decision was made to move in heavy equipment and begin
preparation for demolition of the now dangerously weakened structure. The
remaining hull of the Murrah Building was demolished by implosion on May
23, 1995 at 7:01am with 150 pounds of explosives. The three remaining victims
were recovered shortly thereafter.
Oklahomans learned that in a time of crisis, they had many friends they
could count on. Friends, neighbors and families pulled together closer
than ever before, and the people of the United States acted as one family.
May we never forget that spirit that brought us through those dark times.
This page is dedicated as a memorial to all of those who survived, those
who gave of themselves without concern for their own lives and all those
who died despite only these few honored dead who are mentioned here.
Long live the American Spirit in the United States that was shown that
day!
