Students experience ‘Journey of Hope’
Richard Williams shares his story as a survivor from the Oklahoma City bombing during a presentation at Carl Albert. Photo by Jeff Harrison
Survivor shares powerful message during presentation at CAHS
By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon
The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum is marking the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing with a special traveling presentation called the “Journey of Hope.”
The presentation aims to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever and inspire others to embody the Oklahoma Standard. It will travel to all 77 counties across the state for the 30th anniversary year.
On Friday, freshmen students at Carl Albert High School were able to experience the “Journey of Hope” during a presentation at the school’s performing arts center.
“As time goes on, we’re making sure that all these kids learn the story and understand the senselessness of violence and the importance of coming together to find common ground,” said Kari
Watkins, the memorial museum’s president and chief executive officer.
The presentation included videos about the Oklahoma City bombing and a powerful testimony from Richard Williams, a survivor in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. He worked in the first floor of the building in the General Services Administration. His wife, Lynn, worked for Mid-Del Schools, and their son, Aaron, was a student at Carl Albert High School during the time of the bombing.
“This is home for us and it’s awesome to be back,” he said.
Williams said he knew everyone in the Murrah building and in an instant “lost 168 friends” on April 19, 1995. He credited Terry Yeakey, a police officer, with saving his life by pulling him from the rubble. Williams shared his experiences from that day, recovery and efforts to honor and remember those who lost their lives.
“I decided that I needed to be involved in something positive,” he said. “What you saw in the video is the dark side. Everything from that day forward became the light. It was very important for me to be very involved in the memorial.”
Students were able to ask Williams questions. They were also asked to “rise to the challenge of the Oklahoma Standard” by thinking of ways they can honor, be of service or be kind.
State Sen. Brenda Stanley and Rep. Robert Manger both spoke at the event.
After the presentation, Carl Albert FFA students and others helped plant a Survivor Tree sapling at the school.
Carl Albert High School students help plant a Survivor Tree sapling at their school. Photo by Jeff Harrison
