TERROR IN OKLAHOMA CITY : Voices from Home

“We want children to know that it’s OK to be frightened by something as bad as this. Your parents understand it. Your teachers understand it. And we’re all there for you.”

PRESIDENT CLINTON, in his radio address

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To the people of America, I can only say, your hearts have touched ours. And we are humbled by that contact. The outpouring of help and support has been astonishing.

GOV. FRANK KEATING, in the GOP response to Clinton’s address

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“He’s always looking over his shoulder.”

CARL BROCKER of Decker, Mich., talking about Timothy McVeigh, who spent time off and on in Decker in recent years with Army buddy Terry Nichols

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“He was a good soldier. If he was given a mission and a target, it’s gone.”

JAMES IVES, a sergeant in McVeigh’s Army infantry unit

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“We have at least one and there could be others. There is much work left to be done.”

WELDON KENNEDY, FBI agent in charge of the investigation, talking about suspects

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“It’s hard to describe, really, having kids in there, hope that there may be a child still alive. A broken toy is maybe a sign of broken hearts.”

JON HANSEN, Oklahoma City assistant fire chief, talking about the search through the wreckage

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“I find the greatest tragedy is that these were Americans who did this. The idea that any American could pull up outside of a child-care center and a Social Security office and set off a bomb to kill fellow Americans . . . it is clearly one of the most despicable acts of my lifetime.”

NEWT GINGRICH, after visiting the blast site.