August 11, 1995
From Correspondent Gary Tuchman
OKLAHOMA CITY (CNN) -- Inside the stately halls of Oklahoma's Capitol building, a group of people who shared tragedy come together: Courageous rescuers from the Federal building bombing, the survivors and family members of those who died.
The occasion was the release of "In Their Name: Oklahoma City," a commemorative book of stories and photos from the tragedy. Profits will go to charity. The project was spearheaded by the wife of Oklahoma's governor. "I really could hardly talk when I first saw it. It was a very emotional moment for me," Cathy Keating said.
It is emotional because of images like those of a fireman cradling a dead baby; because of stories of bravery and sorrow such as the one told by Sgt. Jerry Flowers, who with another sergeant, was the first to enter the ravaged remains of the federal building's day care center. In the book, Flowers tells of the moment when they found the body of a dead child: "I asked, 'Is it a boy or a girl,' and he said, 'Jerry I don't know.' And as we unwrapped the child to wrap him better, the child was decapitated. I think as a parent, that's what hurt the most."
Nicole Williams is a new mother. She was six months pregnant when her husband, a sales representative, was killed in the blast. Inside the book is a story about her husband Scott, as told by one of his friends. Williams says she wants her baby to know its father. "I've been collecting everything I can for her so she knows who her father is. It's really hard, but I'm really thankful I have her because she's part of him and she's what keeps me going now."
David Florence's wife, Linda, was killed in the explosion, too. After 17 years of marriage, they had just had their first child in 1993. In his wallet is a picture of his wife from when they started dating. The book makes him happy. "I'm glad. It makes me feel good. They tried to get my wife out," he says, struggling to hold back tears. "It gives them recognition. It makes me feel good."
The book is full of sad memories, but there is inspiration in the heroic tales. Some of those heroes were introduced by the governor's wife: "Heather Taylor is an emergency medical technician student at Oklahoma City Community College. Heather assisted a physician, and performed emergency triage work in the building."
Taylor realized a month after the bombing that she was suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome. "What had happened was I had left like, I'd seen everything now....I just don't want to be a paramedic anymore," she said. "But now I've gone through counseling sessions, and my parents have helped me a lot too."
Oklahoma City is still healing. But this book gives the city at least 168 reasons for recovery -- and hope.
![[imagemap]](/US/OKC/images/okc_navbar2.gif){kind=small}
Copyright © 1996 Cable News Network, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.