It took me over 10 years to get to Oklahoma City after the bombing in which 168 innocent victims died, but I finally made it. Of the victims, six where Secret Service employees -
Alan Gerald Whicher, 40, Oklahoma City, assistant special agent in charge, Secret Service Kathy Lynn Seidl, 39, Shawnee, investigative assistant, Secret Service Mickey Bryant Maroney, 50, Oklahoma City, special agent, Secret Service Donald Ray Leonard, 50, Edmond, special agent, Secret Service Cynthia Lynn (Campbell) Brown, 26, special agent, Secret Service Linda McKinney, 47, office manages, Secret Service
Special Agents Don Leonard, Mickey Maroney and I spent many road trips together standing post for a President, a Vice President, a Foreign Dignitary or a Presidential Candidate. I never heard either of them complain about the job. Don Leonard always had a big smile on his face.
Don Leonard
In fact, I can remember to this day the last time I saw Don Leonard. It was just before the bombing and we had just finished another post-standing assignment somewhere in America and we were at the airport, preparing to travel home. Don's gate and my gate where next to each other and I can remember looking over and seeing him waiting for his flight and having that big smile on his face. So I was not surprised today when I toured the museum and saw the photo of Don - with a big smile on his face. Just the way I last remembered him.
Mickey Maroney
It was touching to read the stories submitted by family and friends about Don and Mickey. Before the bombing, Mickey had just recovered from some serious medical problems that everyone thought would do him in. I knew he had played college football, but I didn't know he played on a National Championship team at the University of Arkansas.
I didn't have the pleasure of knowing the other Secret Service victims, but I knew Don Leonard and Mickey Maroney well.
Another surprise at the museum was reading the accounts of the rescuers. Among the written thoughts and feelings I found those of a friend from Virginia Beach, VA. At the time of the bombing, Melvin Mathias was an Asst. Fire Chief for the City of Virginia Beach and the Team Leader for FEMA Virginia Rescue Team 2. His team was activated immediately after the bombing and upon his return from Oklahoma City, gave public talks and showed photos of the horror and devastation. He was particularly moved by the exceptional kindness he and his team received during their rescue efforts from the citizens of Oklahoma City.
It is a very moving experience to visit ground zero and tour the museum. And as I toured the museum and saw some of the evidence found and used to convict the perpetrators, I kept thinking about the efforts of Special Agent Mary Riley and how her brilliance in helping to solve the crime almost cost her her job due to the incompetence of the people in charge of the investigation. If you have never seen the Memorial or toured the museum then put it on your list of things you need to do. Amen.
Alan Gerald Whicher, 40, Oklahoma City, assistant special agent in charge, Secret Service Kathy Lynn Seidl, 39, Shawnee, investigative assistant, Secret Service Mickey Bryant Maroney, 50, Oklahoma City, special agent, Secret Service Donald Ray Leonard, 50, Edmond, special agent, Secret Service Cynthia Lynn (Campbell) Brown, 26, special agent, Secret Service Linda McKinney, 47, office manages, Secret Service
Special Agents Don Leonard, Mickey Maroney and I spent many road trips together standing post for a President, a Vice President, a Foreign Dignitary or a Presidential Candidate. I never heard either of them complain about the job. Don Leonard always had a big smile on his face.
Don Leonard
In fact, I can remember to this day the last time I saw Don Leonard. It was just before the bombing and we had just finished another post-standing assignment somewhere in America and we were at the airport, preparing to travel home. Don's gate and my gate where next to each other and I can remember looking over and seeing him waiting for his flight and having that big smile on his face. So I was not surprised today when I toured the museum and saw the photo of Don - with a big smile on his face. Just the way I last remembered him.
Mickey Maroney
It was touching to read the stories submitted by family and friends about Don and Mickey. Before the bombing, Mickey had just recovered from some serious medical problems that everyone thought would do him in. I knew he had played college football, but I didn't know he played on a National Championship team at the University of Arkansas.
I didn't have the pleasure of knowing the other Secret Service victims, but I knew Don Leonard and Mickey Maroney well.
Another surprise at the museum was reading the accounts of the rescuers. Among the written thoughts and feelings I found those of a friend from Virginia Beach, VA. At the time of the bombing, Melvin Mathias was an Asst. Fire Chief for the City of Virginia Beach and the Team Leader for FEMA Virginia Rescue Team 2. His team was activated immediately after the bombing and upon his return from Oklahoma City, gave public talks and showed photos of the horror and devastation. He was particularly moved by the exceptional kindness he and his team received during their rescue efforts from the citizens of Oklahoma City.
It is a very moving experience to visit ground zero and tour the museum. And as I toured the museum and saw some of the evidence found and used to convict the perpetrators, I kept thinking about the efforts of Special Agent Mary Riley and how her brilliance in helping to solve the crime almost cost her her job due to the incompetence of the people in charge of the investigation. If you have never seen the Memorial or toured the museum then put it on your list of things you need to do. Amen.
Posted by Darryl Daniels at 7:49 AM
