Atlanta Marks Olympic Blast Anniversary

ATLANTA — It was a hard moment for John Hawthorne--standing in Centennial Olympic Park on Sunday and remembering how his wife was killed a year ago in a bomb blast a few feet away.

As he watched children run through the park’s dancing fountains, Hawthorne’s eyes filled with tears and his voice trembled as he told about 200 people at a prayer service that his wife must not be forgotten.

“She would have been there taking pictures or been in there getting wet with them,” he said, staring at the fountains. “She really would have liked it.”

The bomb killed 44-year-old Alice Hawthorne of Albany, Ga., who had brought her 14-year-old daughter to the park as a pre-birthday treat. Her daughter and more than 100 others were injured.

Atlanta marked the first anniversary of the tragedy by shutting off the fountains and observing a moment of silence. A large wreath with red and yellow flowers was placed near the fountains.

“Whenever we remember the special time in the summer of 1996, we will remember Alice Hawthorne,” Mayor Bill Campbell told the audience. “Atlanta and Alice Hawthorne . . . will forever be linked.”

During the service, Alice Hawthorne’s daughter--Fallon Stubbs--stood somberly with family members. The wounds she suffered have healed, but she plans to undergo cosmetic surgery.

“Time has taken away some of the pain,” she said. “It’s really hard today . . . to be here. But it looks real nice.”

A short distance away, a man held up a large placard with a message for the park bomber: “Please Surrender.”

There have been no arrests. Federal officials believe that the bomber also is responsible for other Atlanta bombings--one at an abortion clinic and another at a gay nightclub.

Federal agents have released composite sketches of people who were in the park and have made worldwide appeals for film and videotape of the area.

“I would love to have the person pay for what they did,” John Hawthorne said. “But that’s not going to bring Alice back. And if I think about it, I’ll lose focus on what’s important--making sure people don’t forget her.”