Survivors of the 1994 New York City subway bombing are coming together for the first time to celebrate life as the 21st anniversary approaches.
Many have forgotten about this 1994 subway blast, which did not get much media attention after the sentencing of the perpetuator. In an effort to bring awareness and attention to this terrorist act, the survivors have rallied together to make this gathering a healing process and an inspirational time for others.
The Survivors Luncheon is set to take place Dec. 19 at Tom’s in Brooklyn.
“We planned this event because we want our stories to serve as inspiration for other victims of violence and survivors of bombings, cancers, tragedies and any painful human experience,” said Charlene Wiggins, a survivor of the bombing. “We also want to bring awareness to this case to prevent a tragedy like this from happening in our city again.”
In December 1994, Edward J. Leary, a computer analyst who lost his job, set off two firebombs in the New York City subway.
Two teenage students were injured in the first bombing on Dec. 15, 1994, on a No. 3 train. Six days later, a second device went off on a No. 4 train packed with people. Forty-eight people were injured, 14 seriously, including Leary. Leary was sentenced to 94 years in prison but is serving a 25- to 50-year sentence.
Wiggins, 37, was a passenger on the No. 4 train at the time of the bombing and was only 16 years old. She suffered burns on her hands and face. Because of the extreme nature of her burns, she had to get skin grafts on both hands and received a significant amount of physical therapy for two years.
An honor student at Midwood High School in Brooklyn, Wiggins, who enjoyed creative writing, was told she would not be able to use her hands again. “The thought of not being able to use my hands was heartbreaking,” she said.
Pushing past the tragedy, Wiggins went on to win a college essay contest while still in high school and graduated from Cornell University with honors in distinction in research.
“This is the first time a lot of us are meeting in many years,” said Wiggins. “In speaking to the other survivors, there is a lot of fear associated with that day. Seeing each other reminded us of that horrific day, so together we are going to conquer that fear. It’s a big step to finally say let’s do this together.
“A lot of times we internalize our pain. Now we want to change the horrific view of that day into a positive one. Look who we are and where we are now. It was a lot to put the pieces of our lives back together. We want to bring awareness to this case because a lot of people do not remember what happened” .
The luncheon is open to the public. It will take place Saturday, Dec. 19, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. “We would love the support of family, friends and the community,” said Wiggins.
Email charnwnyc@gmail.com or call 718-820-6031 to RSVP or for more information.