APRIL NINETEENTH

April 19, 1995. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was getting ready to turn off the morning news and head out the door. "Breaking News!" "A bomb or some explosion in downtown Oklahoma City" "We think it is the Federal Courthouse." I take mental family inventory. Wife - at work at the eye doctor's office. Daughter - at school. My secretary had just served on jury duty at the Federal Courthouse. I pick up the phone. We talk about the absurdity of a bombing in OKC.

OKC, my hometown. Why would anyone pick downtown OKC?

"Breaking News" "We've confirmed that some kind of explosion has occurred in downtown Oklahoma City. All emergency personnel are requested to report to work."

"Breaking News." "St. Anthony Hospital is on full alert. The first victims are being brought their."

St. Anthony Hospital? I was born there.

My wife calls. My daughter is on a school bus in OKC. They have a field trip to the science museum. She is fine. Saw the explosion from the Interstate and thought it was a lightning strike. When they got to the museum, all children were held on the buses. By noon they were on their way home. She called from McD's where they had stopped.

Watching CNN News in the afternoon. "The first rescue team to enter the basement of the Murrah Building has just come out. Here's one of the firemen, we'll interview him."

There he was, my childhood best friend. His Dad had been a Fireman. That's Boone on CNN. I've got to talk to him. I'll call his mom and get the phone number.

APRIL 19 - REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE RESCUE WORKERS!