Poem Written by Robert C. Cline on April 30, 1995 in honor of all of our First Responders. He wrote this poem in a single setting.
From deep within the bowels of Satan,
spewed forth his demon force;
And settled in the hearts of a few,
and set them on their course.
Their goal was to bomb, maim and destroy;
to cause heartache, pain, and grief,
In Oklahoma City they did just that;
the devastation was beyond belief.
But, this is not about the few,
who brought about this shame;
Rather, I would praise by poem,
those many heroes, some are still unnamed.
Heroes who were but common folks,
still, heroes one and all;
Who rallied there in Oklahoma,
to answer their neighbors call.
Day and night they worked so hard,
to free those still alive;
Knowing all the while they worked,
that some would not survive.
In the shadow of the weakened building,
that could fall, and trap them too;
Like moles they burrowed through the rubble,
doing all that they could do.
A storm came up, and engulfed them,
with driving rain, and lashing wind;
But, through it all, they still worked on,
their courage would not bend.
At times the storm would halt their efforts,
yet never for very long;
A nursery filled with trapped children,
was the force that drove them on.
So many lives they saved from the rubble,
while others were brought out dead;
Time itself was working against them,
it filled their hearts with dread.
Still, it did not stop them,
as frantically they continued to search;
Knowing all the while, they too could die,
for in the injured building, death did surely lurk.
They did their best, they gave their all,
no more could anyone give;
And all the giving that they gave,
was so that some might live.
I did not see their color;
nor did I see race, sex, or creed;
All were members of the same species,
responding to their fellow man’s need.
We should all be thankful for these heroes,
who represent us as a whole;
For we’ve all got common interest,
and we’ve all got common goals.
The passion, and dreams that fill your hearts,
I know fill my heart too;
And we’ve all fulfilled our mission in life,
if to our own self we’ve been true.
So, let us pull together as a people,
not as a nation, or a country, or a town;
Let us reach out to one another,
and freely spread love around.
For greatness dwells in all of us,
just waiting to come out;
And the giving of self to those in need,
is really what life’s about.
For all those victims in Oklahoma,
my heart does shamefully bleed;
But, know that there are always heroes,
who will comfort you in your need.
So, to our Heroes we humbly wish to extend,
our heartfelt gratitude, and thanks;
And pray that when we’re called upon,
we’ll have the courage, that will place us among your ranks…..
Oklahoma City fire Capt. Chris Fields carries 1-year-old Baylee Almon, in this file photo shot Wednesday, April, 19, 1995 at the Alfred Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City.
The child died of her injuries. (AP Photo/Charles H. Porter IV, File)ASSOCIATED PRESS
On Wednesday, April 19, 1995, at 9:03 a.m. a bomb exploded at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The “bombing in the heartland” killed 168 people, including 19 children younger than 6 years old. More than 500 people were injured.
Posted in Honor of all of our First Responders that put their lives on the line for their fellowman.