Mass Chaos That Night

During the Olympics it was really exciting until the bombing.

Sgt. Gordon Spears, Co. C, 1st Bn (M), 121st Infantry, Georgia National Guard



The Centennial Olympic Park Bombing, Atlanta, 1996

STATE OF GEORGIA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
ATLANTA 30334-0900

Zell Miller
Governor


Rick Dent
Director of Communications


PRESS ADVISORY
For Immediate release
November 20, 1997

Miller Presents Certificate of Heroism to Spears

Photo: Governor Zell Miller presents Award. Credit: Gordon Spears Web site

ATLANTA-Governor Zell Miller today presented the Valley Forge Certificate of Heroism to Sergeant Gordon D. Spears of Blairsville.

The award was presented to Spears in honor of his heroic acts during the bombing incident at the Centennial Olympic Park.

"I am very honored to present Sergeant Spears with this prestigious award for his heroic actions during the Olympic Park Bombing", said Governor Miller. "Sergeant Spears did everything in his power to help assist the medical personnel and maintain order during the mass chaos that occurred that night. He is very deserving of this honor."

Spears was on duty guarding Waterpoint 1 for the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta when the bomb exploded in Centennial Olympic Park. Arriving to the scene of the incident quickly, he was able to aid emergency vehicles and personnel in assisting those who needed it most. After the area was closed to the public, Spears provided security to the crime scene.

Spears is assigned to the Co C, 1st Bn(M) 121st Infantry in Gainesville. He is employed with Lee Arrendale Correctional Institute as a correctional officer. Spears has served with the Marine Corps.

Photo: Spears at Olympic Park. Credit: Gordon Spears Website

The Valley Forge Certificate of Honor is awarded to those individuals who display heroism and are a member of the National Guard. The certificate will include a citation or other tangible evidence of the nature of heroism displayed. The final selections of recipients of the award are made by the National Guard of the United States. Once the honorees are confirmed, the award is forwarded to the appropriate state adjutant general for presentation.

During the Olympics it was really exciting until the bombing. A lot of people came up wanting pictures of me and the area I was assigned to, which made me very happy.

The moment that was hard for me was when a friend wanted to go down to the park and look at it. So I escorted him down to see the park. There was a band playing on the stage. We ended up walking over to the area, pretty close to the statue at the park. And we saw a lady standing there by it, not knowing that 1 1/2 hours later we would run down there and find her dead. Out of every thing that night that was the toughest for me. She was killed instantly by the bomb. I will never forget that for the rest of my life.

My friend and I ran three blocks and helped in the aide of the injured people and got them out to the hospital. Then we pulled security to the bombed area so the evidence would not be bothered.

A lot went on that night. I feel good knowing I helped a lot of people that night — maybe saved another life.