Trial Evidence Displayed at Oklahoma Bombing Memorial

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 1)  FBI evidence that helped convict Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols went on display Friday at the Oklahoma City bombing memorial, even as a congressman and others continue to raise questions about the 1995 explosion that killed 168 people.

The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was destroyed when a rented cargo truck packed with 4,800 pounds of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil was detonated. Besides the 168 killed, more than 800 were injured. The dead included eight law enforcement officers and 29 visitors to courthouse, as well as employees of several federal agencies.

McVeigh was executed in 2001 after he was convicted of federal murder charges. Nichols, who met McVeigh in the Army, was convicted on federal and state bombing charges and is serving multiple life prison sentences.

Michael Fortier, another Army buddy, pleaded guilty to not telling authorities in advance about the bomb plot and was released in January after serving more than 10 years in prison. Fortier testified against McVeigh and Nichols.

Prosecutors said the bombing was in retribution to the deaths of about 80 people in the government siege at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, exactly two years earlier on April 19.

**Why is it we need a reminder of the 168people who lost their lives in this terror event, but are constantly bombarded by the press, hollywood, etc regarding 9/11?  Yes, the loss of life was considerably less, but can it really be considered any less tragic?  For those of us who experienced the OKC bombing firsthand, the memory is still fresh in our minds, memories, and nightmares.  May we never forget.