Don Swift \u2022 Executive Producer, Project Concept & Marketing
\nRick Buchanan \u2022 Producer, Researcher, Writer
\nKen Sarkey \u2022 Producer, Recording Engineer, Music Composer, Editor
\nJeremy Gossett \u2022 Producer, Recording Engineer, Program Announcer
\nBrenda Bennett \u2022 Program Host
\nStephanie Moore \u2022 Project Coordinator, Scheduling, Social Media & Marketing, Web Assistance
\nNina Jones \u2022 Web Design<\/p>\n
Original podcast date: February 12, 2015<\/p>\n
Our special music is “Annie’s Song”, composed and performed by Drew Faulkner, a student at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Piano and orchestration arranged and performed by Ken Sarkey, and recorded at Cornerstone Recording Co., Edmond, Oklahoma.<\/p>\n
A number of guests were Interviewed in this episode; some we hear from briefly now, but will hear more of their account in upcoming episodes.<\/p>\n
They are:<\/p>\n
Trey Davis<\/strong> *A Note from producer Ken Sarkey:<\/p>\n While working on the first episode of our Real Mysteries podcast series, \u201cAnnie\u2019s Song\u201d came to mind as I considered music appropriate for inclusion. It was written in 2013 by a then 20 year old Drew Faulkner, who sent me a demo to listen to and help him with a professional arrangement and recording. I had previously had the pleasure of recording Drew\u2019s beautiful singing voice, and he comes from a very talented and creative musical family. On the very day we released the premier \u201cWe Will Always Remember\u201d podcast that closed with \u201cAnnie\u2019s Song\u201d, Drew\u2019s father was recovering from cancer surgery in Oklahoma City, and my wife and I played it for him during our visit to the hospital that evening.<\/p>\n For one as young as he, Drew seemed to have a special ability to convey the complex emotional message of one who is suffering in ways most people cannot understand unless they too have experienced it. But as I listened to \u201cAnnie\u2019s Song\u201d in light of the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing tragedy, the deep, sensitive lyrics seemed to apply in a way he probably hadn\u2019t thought of: On April 19, 1995, in an instant, the walls of the Murrah federal building were shaken apart, along with the lives of those inside, and those who would rush to their rescue and recovery. It would require a lot of strength to work through the healing process; physically, mentally, and emotionally. It takes time, too. <\/p>\n We are coming up on the mark of twenty years since that horrific event, and as we have interviewed many who were involved first hand, we see and feel those emotions still lingering. We pray for continued restoration as you cast all your cares on the One who cares for you.<\/p>\n Drew Faulkner I began writing \u201cAnnie\u2019s Song\u201d in the spring of 2013 and wasn\u2019t satisfied with it until that fall. It was at that time that I contacted Ken Sarkey at Cornerstone Recording Co. in Edmond, Oklahoma, to see about arranging and producing the song. He worked on it for months. He would send me a version of the song, and I would give him any ideas I had for adjustments via email. We corresponded that way until the summer of 2014, when he sent me the final product. I was blown away when I listened to it for the first time.<\/p>\n The inspiration for \u201cAnnie\u2019s Song\u201d came from the mother of one of my friends. At the time, she was battling cancer, and her case was not a good one. However, she\u2019d decided she was going to be positive, and would post about her daily life on Facebook to encourage people. One of these posts not only sparked my imagination and inspired me to write a song, but also struck me to the core and changed me forever.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t the post itself, but a comment that caused this epiphany. Person after person had commented with words of encouragement, which is crucial in a situation such as hers. However, she had learned something even more important than believing she would beat cancer, and I was about to discover it in one of her replies.<\/p>\n I can\u2019t remember what her exact words were, but I can tell you what I took away from it. From what she said, I got, \u201cI might not survive this, but God is still good even if I don\u2019t.\u201d When I processed what she said, my jaw dropped. It was at this moment that I discovered what true faith looks like. True faith doesn\u2019t depend on outcomes to be strong, it just IS. True faith believes that God IS good, no matter what your eyes see, or what your mind, or sometimes even your heart, tries to tell you. <\/p>\n It was then that I began to imagine what she thought, said, or felt when nobody was around. I started to try to picture the dark battles she had to fight against herself: against any fear, pain, sorrow, doubt, anger, hatred, or even self-resentment. I imagined that huge war, and all of the weariness that must come with it. <\/p>\n And then I thought about the reality of her victory. She was not cancer free, and didn\u2019t know yet what would happen to her in the end, but when she decided to have unconditional faith, she had already won. When she could have given in to fear, she decided instead to acknowledge the reality of what she was facing and be an encouragement to others in the middle of it all. Even if it turned out that she wasn\u2019t going to be around for much longer, she decided that she was going to use the time that God gave to her; that while she was still alive, she was going to live.<\/p>\n I used all of those thoughts and emotions, along with a Bible verse, to write this song. I wrote it as a gift to a stranger, who is now my cancer-free friend, for inspiring me the way she did. And I hope for it to touch many more hearts than just hers. I want it to inspire hope in seemingly hopeless situations everywhere. More than anything, though, I want it to point to the reality of what God can do for people, because that\u2019s where true hope comes from. The quote from Psalms says, \u201c\u2026 Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.\u201d So when you see the sun hanging up in the sky after a dark night, let yourself feel joy. Choose, like my friend did, to have unconditional faith, and say, \u201cToday I am alive.\u201d<\/p>\n Original podcast date: February 19, 2015<\/p>\n In order of their appearance, those interviewed or included in this episode:<\/p>\n Frank Keating<\/strong> Original podcast date: February 26, 2015<\/p>\n In order of their appearance, those interviewed or included in this episode:<\/p>\n Bob Ricks<\/strong> Original podcast date: March 5, 2015<\/p>\n In order of their appearance, those interviewed or included in this episode:<\/p>\n Bob Ricks<\/strong> Original podcast date: March 12, 2015<\/p>\n In order of their appearance, those interviewed or included in this episode:<\/p>\n Frank Keating<\/strong> Original podcast date: March 19, 2015<\/p>\n Brenda Bennett<\/strong> Original podcast date: March 26, 2015<\/p>\n Melody (Sarkey) Hoppers<\/strong> Original podcast date: April 10, 2015<\/p>\n In order of their appearance, those interviewed or included in this episode:<\/p>\n Bob Ricks <\/strong> Original podcast date: April 16, 2015 Sandra Elliott<\/strong> Original podcast date: April 25, 2015<\/p>\n In order of their appearance, those interviewed or included in this episode:<\/p>\n Phil Bacharach<\/strong> David Cid Bio:<\/p>\n David Cid is a founding partner in Praxis LLC, providing critical incident management and security consultation to corporate leadership. He is also Director of the Homeland Security Institute at Rose State College, developing a series of college level Counterterrorism courses. From 2006 to 2014 he was Executive Director of the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, a nonprofit training and professional development center serving the line officer. The police training program developed by Mr. Cid has been used by over 450 agencies nationwide, to include the NYPD.<\/p>\n Prior to joining the Institute in 2006 as Deputy Director, Mr. Cid was President of Salus International, a consulting practice providing Security, Crisis Management, and Business Continuity services. Clients included the United States Army, the FBI, the Department of State, and Fortune 500 companies. For two years, he was an advisor to foreign governments on counterterrorism in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Mr. Cid is a 20-year veteran of the FBI, where he served as a counterterrorism specialist. He was a member of the FBI International Crisis Response Team, and while assigned to the New York field office, a member of the FBI Special Weapons and Tactics team.<\/p>\n Mr. Cid has been on-scene commander in extortions, kidnappings, and acts of terrorism and has led special events security planning for the World Series, the Special Olympics, and the U.S. Open. In 1996, he supervised the first successful investigation and prosecution under the Biological Weapons Antiterrorism Act, interdicting a plot to assassinate federal and local officials. A native of New York, Mr. Cid joined the FBI in 1981, retiring as an Inspector and Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Oklahoma City Field Office. Prior to his FBI service, he was a Human Resources specialist for AT&T. He is a veteran of the Vietnam War, honorably discharged. Recent publications include \u201cUnderstanding Counterterrorism A Guide for Law Enforcement, Policy Makers and Media,\u201d available on Amazon.<\/p>\n Original podcast date: April 25, 2015<\/p>\n Kari Watkins<\/strong> Original podcast date: May 18, 2015<\/p>\n
\nKTOK News reporter, shares his First-on-the-Scene account<\/em>
\nVeyda Sarkey Burbridge<\/strong>
\nLocal business woman and great-grandma<\/em>
\nBob Ricks <\/strong>
\nChief of Police – Edmond Oklahoma Police Dept., formerly FBI Special Agent In Charge – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma<\/em>
\nChristy Sarkey<\/strong>
\nSergeant – Edmond Oklahoma Police Dept., formerly with the FBI and Bomb Squad Member, she was a College Student in 1995.<\/em>
\nPhil Bacharach<\/strong>
\nJournalist\/writer for the Oklahoma Gazette, author of \u201cThe McVeigh Letters\u201d for Esquire Magazine<\/em>
\nKent Frates
\n<\/strong>Oklahoma City attorney and author of “Oklahoma’s Most Notorious Cases”<\/em>
\nJon Hansen<\/strong>
\nAssistant Fire Chief – Oklahoma City Fire Dept.<\/em>
\nBruce Davis<\/strong>
\nFormerly with the Oklahoma City Police Dept.<\/em>
\nAlbert Ashwood<\/strong>
\nDirector, Oklahoma State Emergency Management.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe walls are closing in, and I am done. I just don\u2019t have any strength left to keep pushing on\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\nHooker Oklahoma
\nNotes on Annie’s Song:<\/p>\n
\nEpisode 2 Production Notes<\/h2>\n
\nGovernor of Oklahoma from 1995-2003.<\/i>
\nJon Hansen<\/strong>
\nAssistant Fire Chief – Oklahoma City Fire Dept.<\/i>
\nPhil Bacharach<\/strong>
\nEditor of Oklahoma City Gazette, Writer of \u201cThe McVeigh Letters\u201d article for Esquire magazine.<\/i>
\nBruce Davis<\/strong>
\nOklahoma City Police Department (ret).<\/i>
\nRockie Yardley<\/strong>
\nEdmond Police Department; has served as Crime Scene and Technical Investigator, Bomb Disposal Technician and Police Dive Team Instructor, and is the developer and Chief Instructor for the Underwater Explosive Recover Specialist Course.<\/i>
\nAlbert Ashwood<\/strong>
\nDirector, Oklahoma State Emergency Management.<\/i>
\nPresident Bill Clinton<\/strong>
\nFrom the briefing broadcast on April 19, 1995.<\/i><\/p>\n
\nEpisode 3 Production Notes<\/h2>\n
\nChief of Police – Edmond Oklahoma Police Dept., formerly FBI Special Agent In Charge – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma<\/i>
\nCharlie Hanger<\/strong>
\nSheriff, Noble County, Oklahoma; formerly Trooper with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol<\/i><\/p>\n
\nEpisode 4 Production Notes<\/h2>\n
\nChief of Police – Edmond Oklahoma Police Dept., formerly FBI Special Agent In Charge – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.<\/i>
\nKent Frates<\/strong>
\nOklahoma City attorney and author of “Oklahoma’s Most Notorious Cases\u201d.<\/i>
\nJanet Reno <\/strong>
\nFormer US Attorney General. From the briefings given April 19-21, 1995.<\/i><\/p>\n
\nEpisode 5 Production Notes<\/h2>\n
\nGovernor of Oklahoma from 1995-2003.<\/i>
\nCathy Keating<\/strong>
\nFirst Lady of Oklahoma from 1995-2003.<\/I>
\nRocky Yardley<\/b>
\nEdmond Police Department; has served as Crime Scene and Technical Investigator, Bomb Disposal Technician and Police Dive Team Instructor, and is the developer and Chief Instructor for the Underwater Explosive Recover Specialist Course.<\/i>
\nBill Clinton<\/b>
\n42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 <\/I>
\nRev. Billy Graham<\/b>
\nEvangelist<\/i><\/p>\n
\nEpisode 6 Production Notes<\/h2>\n
\nReal Mysteries Host<\/i>
\nKen Sarkey<\/strong>
\nReal Mysteries Producer, Recording, Editing & Mixing Engineer, Music Composer\/Editor, Add\u2019l Research & Writing<\/i>
\nRick Buchanan<\/b>
\nReal Mysteries Producer, Researcher, Writer<\/I><\/p>\n
\nEpisode 7 Production Notes<\/h2>\n
In order of their appearance, those interviewed or included in this episode:<\/h3>\n
\nLicensed Physical Therapist Assistant, Real Mysteries Assoc. Producer, Interview, Research & Transcriptions<\/i>
\nCatherine Simonds<\/strong>
\nEvents Manager, Oklahoma State Fairgrounds<\/i>
\nKeith Simonds<\/b>
\nOklahoma City Police Dept. (Retired)<\/i><\/p>\n
\nEpisode 8 Production Notes<\/h2>\n
\nChief of Police \u2013 Edmond Oklahoma Police Dept., formerly FBI Special Agent In Charge \u2013 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.<\/I>
\nChristy Sarkey<\/b>
\nSergeant \u2013 Edmond Oklahoma Police Dept., formerly with the FBI and Bomb Squad Member.<\/I>
\nPatrick Ryan<\/b>
\nAttorney, formerly U.S. District Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, on the prosecution team in both McVeigh and Nichols trials. <\/i>
\nPhil Bacharach<\/b>
\nJournalist\/writer for the Oklahoma Gazette, author of “The McVeigh Letters” for Esquire Magazine<\/i><\/p>\n
\nEpisode 9 Production Notes<\/h2>\n
\n
\nIn order of their appearance, those interviewed or included in this episode:<\/p>\n
\nOklahoma County Assistant District Attorney, lead prosecutor in the State of Oklahoma vs Terry Nichols trial.<\/I>
\nWes Lane<\/strong>
\nFormer Oklahoma County District Attorney.<\/i><\/p>\n
\nEpisode 10 Production Notes<\/h2>\n
\nJournalist\/Reporter<\/i>
\nDavid Cid <\/b>
\nDavid Cid is a founding partner in Praxis LLC, providing critical incident management and security consultation to corporate leadership. He is also Director of the Homeland Security Institute at Rose State College, developing a series of college level Counterterrorism courses. <\/i><\/p>\n
\nEpisode 11 Production Notes<\/h2>\n
In order of their appearance, those interviewed or included in this episode:<\/h3>\n
\nExecutive Director, The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum<\/i><\/p>\n
\nEpisode 12 Production Notes<\/h2>\n
In order of their appearance, those interviewed or included in this episode:<\/h3>\n