Exactly 25 years ago today, the landscape of downtown Oklahoma City was changed when its security was rocked by a truck bomb that took 168 lives, injuring over 500 people. As with every Oklahoman living in 1995 of school age or older, my memories remain vivid of that day.
The Highs and Lows of
1995
The
Oklahoma State Men’s Basketball season of 1994-1995 thrilled the loyal
following of the Cowboys and even the fair-weather fans. Under the
astute tutelage of Hall of Fame Coach Eddie Sutton, the team featured Bryant “Big Country”
Reeves, the 7-foot center, and Randy Rutherford, the point guard. Both Poke
stars had honed their basketball skills in small, Oklahoma towns.
I
anticipated listening to John Holcomb and Dave Hunzicker broadcast of the games
during late fall evenings. The team meshed and gained momentum as they progressed
into the winter months. Radio coverage allowed me to do tasks and enjoy the
excitement of the Poke b-ball games, too.
March
Madness saw Oklahoma State winning four games to reach the Final Four
Tournament hosted by Seattle. In their first game, UCLA, the eventual
championship team of the NCAA Division I Men’s Tourney, bested the scrappy
Oklahoma State Cowboys. What a ride they gave us fans! I whooped and hollered
for five months from November of 1994 through April 1, 1995.
Eighteen
days later, on the third Wednesday of April, my third graders lined up orderly
and walked to their P.E. class. As I rushed around to accomplish as much as
possible on my planning period, Virginia Williams, a second grade teacher, whispered quietly to me of
the shocking news of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in
Oklahoma City.
So many
questions filled my mind surrounding a devastating event like this, but my mission
of teaching third graders superseded my own worry-fueled wonderings. With just minutes
until the students returned, I knew these bright third graders were old enough
to understand the seriousness of a destructive happening like this but young
enough to question, “If something hurts my parents, what will happen to me?”
Having
taught them “Knowledge is power,” I began the routine of providing the morning
copy of the newspaper, The Oklahoman each day. The availability
of the newspapers offered a springboard for helpful discussion if the students
needed or wanted that.
In a
previous post written five years ago about the April 19th bombing
and my students, I commented about the third graders, “They moved to a point of
acceptance and understanding in a quicker manner than I did.”* Drawing
compassionate cards with third grade heartfelt messages moved them from fear
and worry to quiet resolution. Actions of this kind instilled the beginning of learning
to reach out in sympathy to hurting hearts. I observe and hear about these
students all-grown-up continuing to provide comfort to grieving people and families.
 |
| Third Graders of 1994-1995 Who Were in Our Classroom Front Row: Karalea Corley, Jason Dilbeck, Josh Alexander, Cassi Koch, Jackie Kennedy, William Fosnight. Middle Row: Amber Phillips, Tyler Hillsberg, Rhonda Brandt, Travis Sawyers, Cassidi Pease, Bernadean Gates. Back Row: Brady Goad, William Gates, Aaron Cheves, Leslie Williams, Lauren Goad, Scott Brown. I proudly displayed this photograph on the cover of my teacher's manual as I taught the Russian teachers. (Photograph by Blunck's) |
In May,
following the bombing, I joined with others from the United States to teach educators
in Russia during a short-term teaching trip that had been scheduled for about a year. As the only Oklahoman on the team, I was granted permission to wear the royal blue ribbon symbolizing the Oklahoma
Standard with the designated pin depicting the flags of the United States
and the relatively new Russian Federation. Whether Russian educators or fellow
Americans on the team, not only was sympathy extended, but an astonishment at
the uncensored reliance on the Lord openly expressed that undergirded the courage of Oklahomans
throughout the months of dealing with the aftermath and sorrow.
 |
| The Official Pin of the Teaching Team on which I served in 1995. The royal blue ribbon faded to purple. |
As we
mark the 25th year since this unspeakable evil, I have been
astounded how many mentioned God gave them the power to forgive. One woman when
asked how she dealt with the loss of a precious little one replied simply, “My
Lord and Savior.” Some first responders and rescue and recovery workers explained
how God enabled them to do unthinkable tasks day after day.
The prayer service organized by
Oklahoma’s first Lady, Cathy Keating, found its way into many of the
conversations I had while on the short-term teaching trip in Russia. So many commented
how surprised they were at the overwhelming support by Oklahoma citizens and
the deeply spiritual nature of the event.
As we once again find ourselves in
a difficult fight, this time with an unseen virus, may we turn to God who gave
supernatural comfort and calm in the midst of a horrific time in our state’s
history 25 years ago. Just as those citizens of yesteryear sought strength to
do difficult searches and recoveries, may we look to God for stamina, strength
and courage beyond ourselves to do what we need to do.
Lord,on this day of remembrance, comfort and strengthen loved ones of the those taken 25 years ago. Enable them to see how they can honor with their lives the legacy of those they miss so greatly.
Impress upon us, the citizens of this state, the need to seek Your righteousness found only in Your dear Son. May we daily live in Your power because we know that apart from You we can do nothing.
Lord,on this day of remembrance, comfort and strengthen loved ones of the those taken 25 years ago. Enable them to see how they can honor with their lives the legacy of those they miss so greatly.
Impress upon us, the citizens of this state, the need to seek Your righteousness found only in Your dear Son. May we daily live in Your power because we know that apart from You we can do nothing.
Righteousness
exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34
Here is a link to the comforting, but powerful message by Billy Graham at the prayer service on the Sunday following the unspeakable crime against a building full of innocent people.
*Here is the link to the post written five years ago:
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