95: Amy's office was bombed

What Was That Like - True Stories. Real People.

Scott Johnson & Glassbox Media

True Crime, Documentary, Personal Journals, Society & Culture

4.6 • 1.7K Ratings

🗓️ 3 December 2021

⏱️ 76 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

On the morning of April 19, 1995, a former US Army soldier parked a rented Ryder truck in front of the Alfred P Murrah Federal Building, located in downtown Oklahoma City. Inside the truck was everything he needed to carry out his plan of terrorism and mass murder. He had a large bomb, which he created using agricultural fertilizer and some chemicals, including diesel fuel. After parking the car, he got out and walked toward his getaway car, a yellow Mercury Marquis. He ignited a timed fuse, and a second fuse as backup. Inside the building, in one of the office conference rooms, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board had just begun a 9 am meeting when the bomb exploded. The blast effect was equivalent to over 5000 pounds of TNT, and could be heard and felt 55 miles away. The blast either destroyed or damaged 324 buildings within a 4-block radius. 86 cars were either burned or destroyed, and a large section of the Federal building had been reduced to rubble. News crews were shocked when they first viewed the damage from their helicopter. Inside the building, 163 people were killed. Additional casualties were one person in the nearby Athenian building, one woman in a parking lot across the street, two people in the Oklahoma Water Resources building, and a rescue worker who was struck on the head by falling debris. In total, 168 people died that day. 19 of those were children. Almost 700 other people were injured. My guest today, Amy, was in the Federal Building that morning. She worked on the third floor, at the Federal Employees Credit Union. In this episode, you’ll hear her talk about what happened to her that day. But just as amazing is what has happened to her SINCE that day. Amy’s website: AmyDowns.org Amy’s book: Hope is a Verb: My Journey of Impossible Transformation Amy’s TEDx talk: How Hope Can Change Your Life This episode is sponsored by the Sleep Meditation for Women podcast – listen to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Also mentioned in this episode is the School of Podcasting – that’s where you go to launch, grow, and even monetize your podcast. Go to SchoolofPodcasting.com/what and use the coupon code WHAT to get 20% off either a monthly or yearly membership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	On the morning of April 19, 1995, a former U.S. Army soldier parked a rented rider truck
0:10.4	in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building located in downtown Oklahoma City.
0:22.0	Inside the truck was everything he needed to carry out his plan of terrorism and mass murder.
0:29.0	He had a large bomb which he created using agricultural fertilizer and some chemicals including diesel fuel.
0:38.0	After parking the truck, he got out and walked toward his getaway car, a yellow mercury marquee.
0:47.0	He ignited a timed fuse and a second fuse as backup.
0:53.0	Inside the building, in one of the office conference rooms, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board had just begun a 9 a.m. meeting.
1:03.0	Before the Oklahoma Water Resources Board meets, they actually sit in this room and discuss the application and vote whether to approve or deny the application.
1:14.0	So they are the decision makers. Can you receive a copy of my proposed recommendation and can attend that board meeting and present your information directly to them or argue it directly to the 9 member board?
1:28.0	They generally need to second choose the of every month.
1:33.0	So you will be advised to that.
1:37.0	With regard to this proceeding, basically there are four elements that I have to receive information regarding information.
2:07.0	The blast effect was equivalent to over 5,000 pounds of TNT and could be heard and felt 55 miles away.
2:25.0	The blast either destroyed or damaged 324 buildings within a four block radius.
2:34.0	86 cars were either burned or destroyed and a large section of the federal building had been reduced to rubble.
2:43.0	News crews were shocked when they first viewed the damage from their helicopter.
2:49.0	It looks like part of the building has been blown away. We'll have to back around the other side so I can get a better view of it.
2:57.0	The explosion went off around 9 a.m. and we could feel the explosion in the newsroom at least 5 miles from downtown.
3:04.0	As a chopper, there's a way on the side of the federal building.
3:08.0	Look at that shot. It's absolutely incredible.
3:11.0	The side of the federal building has been blown off.
3:15.0	About a third, about a third of the building has been blown away.
	...

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