I am writing in remembrance of the April 19th, 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal building. This past week I had an opportunity to reflect upon those days when News 9 came to interview Laura Alfonzo and myself concerning our remembrances of the bombing and the way the federal government helped us re-build.
I was living over 100 miles away at the time of the bombing, serving the Allen United Methodist Church. I remember the phone ringing that morning around 9:15am and hearing my mom asking me what I thought. I had not heard of what had happened until that time. I quickly turned on the television and sat watching the absolute devastation unfold. In 1984 I had become a reserve deputy with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office without a thought of how this day would change my life. Just seven weeks before the bombing my son, Joshaua, had been born, and we were still getting used to having this newborn in the house. About 10:45 am that morning the sheriff’s office dispatcher contacted me and requested me to be at the command post located at 10th & Robinson by 3:00pm. When I left the house that day and told Elizabeth goodbye, I had no idea what the next ten days of my life would be bringing.
Upon arriving in Oklahoma City there was a feeling of shock across every persons face. A stripping of innocence had been removed in the amount of time it took to hear a blast and see a building come crashing down. The lives devastated that day will always be remembered. When asked this past week about the things that stood out to me I responded, “the glass.” Every street in downtown was covered in glass. Upon further remembering the thing that stood out was the overwhelming desire of people who wanted to help. There was never a time in those first ten days that when something was needed at the bombing site there was not a flood of those things provided. After some time in counseling dealing with the devastation of those ten days, I believe there was good in my experience.
Since that time I have often wondered why it takes something so tragic to get us shaken from our complacency to respond to the needs of others. We have truly overcome the tragic circumstances of the day. Nothing will return those whose lives have been lost, but every day we have the opportunity to reach out others who are suffering and hurting. We have learned a deep and abiding lesson of caring for one another in the midst of loss. Truly what the devil intended for evil, God has turned to good. What do you remember and what have you learned from your circumstances? God is always with us.
Kirk
Posted on
Thu, April 15, 2010
by Kirk Norman