Oklahoma City Bombing Survivor Reflects on 30 Years of Purpose

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — PJ Allen was just 18 months old when he survived the devastating Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995. Now 31, he reflects on his journey of survival and the purpose he has found in giving back to others.

The bombing, orchestrated by Timothy McVeigh, claimed 168 lives, including 15 children from the daycare center located in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. PJ, who was among the youngest survivors, sustained severe injuries, including second- and third-degree burns over half his body, a collapsed lung, and damaged vocal cords.

“I’m very appreciative that I wake up every day,” he said. “I’ve always liked working with electronics.” Today, PJ works as an avionics technician at Tinker Air Force Base, maintaining military aircraft systems. “Working on planes allows me to help people in service, similar to the people that helped me out on that day,” he added.

In the aftermath of the bombing, PJ was thrown from the second-floor daycare by the force of the explosion. He recalls being in and out of hospitals for years, unable to play outside due to his extensive skin damage. “The sun would be too violent on me,” he said, describing his childhood as a mix of hospital visits and nighttime play.

“Around this time of year, I like to try and make sure I’m still looking for what I need to be doing, for the reason I survived,” PJ noted. His commitment to giving back stems from a deep desire to honor those who saved his life.

Despite numerous surgeries and the ongoing challenges of living with a collapsed lung, PJ maintains a positive outlook. He undergoes daily breathing treatments and still recalls the moments leading up to the explosion vividly. “I still think about it when I take a breathing treatment,” he said. “But I know some people aren’t as fortunate to have their loved ones come home that day.”

The event remains a poignant memory for PJ, and he reflects on the purpose he believes he was destined to fulfill since surviving the tragedy. He stated, “My goal has always been to figure out what God wanted me to do in this world.”

Now, more than three decades later, PJ believes he has found that purpose in his work. “This is probably as close as I’ve made it to my purpose so far. I like what I do, and I do feel like I’m helping every day,” he said. The scars from that day serve as a reminder of his resilience, yet they do not diminish his sense of gratitude.

As he recalls his past, PJ emphasized the importance of his experiences in shaping who he is today. “It’s my voice. It’s unique, and I like it that way,” he said, grateful for the life he leads and the opportunity to give back to those who were there for him during the darkest moments of his life.