Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing and here is what happened on that tragic day ..
On the day of the Oklahoma City bombing I had just opened my first Huron-Ausable Sportman Show in Oscoda Michigan. When designing the show I followed the advice of the professional hunters, fishermen, charter boat captains, and barely included any family fare or entertainment. The huge crowd that came out were the serious guys. Not sure how many attendees were of the Michigan Militia but they looked like they could be,
I had Robb Trott from the PBS TV show Great Lakes Outdoors on hand as a sponsor and he brought his camera man Kim. While the show was going on my private phone line rang, which is odd as no one knew the number. The caller was Kim's 12yr old son who as it turned out was best friends with Jim Nichols (brother of bomber Terry Nichols) son. The FBI was there at their home investigating the numerous phone calls between the two houses. The boy told his dad that there were police everywhere and Kim left the show immediately and headed back home.
Then federal agents came to the show and showed me sketches of 3 men and asked if they might be in my show. Well everyone in the show looked like those 3 guys, so I was no help. The agents went in to look for themselves. They didn't find anyone.
The exhibitors and the crowd talked in hush tones all weekend about this horrific act of terrorism. I certainly will never forget that day. My prayers still are with the survivors and their families.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - It's been 20 years since the nation was rocked by the Oklahoma City bombing that killed 168 people. Victims' loved ones recall the events of April 19, 1995.The Oklahoma City bombing thrust Diane Koch into the life of a crime victim's advocate for 13 years, until she realized she had to leave the state to start a new chapter of life.
Bud Welch said his ability to eventually forgive enabled him to survive emotionally after the death of his daughter. For Jannie Coverdale, though, there's "no such thing" as moving on, even after two decades.
All three lost loved ones 20 years ago Sunday, when Timothy McVeigh blew up the Oklahoma City federal building with a rental truck laden with explosives. However, all three took different paths as they tried to come to grips with a pain that never fully heals. READ MORE HERE
