Sen. George Young issues statement after 27th anniversary of Murrah Building bombing

State Senator George Young, D-Oklahoma City, issued the following statement after the 27^th anniversary of the domestic terrorism attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

“As we stopped to remember the tragic bombing of the Murrah building, I was brought back to a memory that I probably try to place in the back classifications of my mind.  It is difficult to think that it has been 27 years since that moment when I was sitting in the Saint Anthony Hospital cafeteria having coffee and a small breakfast.  I was serving as staff chaplain, and it was 9:02 a.m. when there was a large explosion that I thought was in our upstairs laboratory.  Immediately following the large blast, our overhead communications announced a code for an emergency, which called for all employees to head to their department.  I went to the chaplain’s office where my director informed us of what had occurred.  She assigned us to areas in the hospital and my area was triage, which was the makeshift emergency room entrance. 

“From that moment on for the next two months, we were not concerned about overtime or designated responsibilities.  As a chaplain, I did a lot of pastoral care, but what sticks out in my memory was the young child who I carried on my hip as I searched for her mother.  Finally, I did locate her mother and reunited them.  It was not until a month later, as I stood in the pulpit where I served as pastor, that I attempted to lead the congregation in prayer, and for the first time during this ordeal, I cried.  My wife, who has since passed, had to come and console me.  The thoughts of seeing so much destructive impact on life flooded my mind, the loss of life overwhelmed me, as did the sight of people who could only be described as impacted by war. While I’ve never served in the military, I’m sure it looked similar.

“I was blessed a few years ago to be invited to the memorial to speak and answer questions about my experience, and it was very helpful for my healing. This 27^th anniversary is not without current day reminders. I am haunted by the memories as I look at the news in Ukraine.  I was blessed to be part of a wonderful group of Saint Anthony employees who supported one another throughout this life-impacting moment. I continue to remember and pray for families who are still impacted by their grief and bereavement.  You are not alone.”