Marking a Significant Milestone

April 19, 2025, marks the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, which remains the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history. The tragic event claimed 168 lives, including children and employees of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

A Day to Remember

Amy Downs, then only 28, recalls the serene blue skies of that morning. “The red buds were all blooming, like it was a gorgeous spring morning,” she said. Just after arriving at work, the peaceful atmosphere shattered when a bomb exploded outside the building.

Downs found herself trapped under rubble, buried alive for six and a half hours. “I heard screaming, then realized I was the one screaming,” she recounted. When rescued, she took tentative breaths of fresh air, vowing to change her life from that moment onward.

The Impact of Loss

In the aftermath, Amy learned that her best friend, Sonja Sanders, and many colleagues had perished in the explosion. The bomb, planted by Timothy McVeigh, consisted of a lethal mixture of fertilizer and diesel fuel.

Despite recovering from physical injuries, the emotional toll weighed heavily on her. She struggled with survivor’s guilt, prompting her to seek counseling several weeks later. “I went with like arms crossed, like I’m here because they’re making me,” she recalled, but eventually found the support she needed.

A Commitment to Change

Inspired by her near-death experience, Downs committed herself to transformative changes. Weighing 355 pounds, she pursued gastric surgery, joined Weight Watchers, and embraced a healthier lifestyle. Suddenly, running marathons became her goal. “I told everybody I am gonna run next year. I’m gonna run in honor of Sonja,” she declared after witnessing a memorial race.

An Epic Achievement

For her 50th birthday, Amy took on Ironman Arizona—a rigorous competition involving a 2.4-mile swim, a 120-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run. On race day, fatigue almost overtook her, but as she approached the final stretch, the sound of encouragement from the crowd motivated her to push through.

“And I hear ‘Amy Downs has done it, she’s coming in…’ And I hear this roar come from this stadium at midnight,” she recalled with emotion, marking a significant moment in her life.

A Legacy of Hope

Today, Amy Downs is an author and serves as the CEO of the credit union that was destroyed in 1995. She takes pride in hiring the daughter of her late friend Sonja, helping her to forge her own path as an FBI agent.

Her memoir, Hope Is A Verb: My Journey Of Impossible Transformation, encapsulates her journey from tragedy to inspiration. Downs continues to share her story as a testament to resilience, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, transformation and hope are possible.