Husband of Oklahoma City bombing victim upset at the federal government

Thursday, April 14th 2005, 11:33 am

By: News On 6

The husband of an Oklahoma City bombing victim is angry and upset. Patrick Reeder says he has worked hard to build a new life after that devastating day when his wife and mother in law were killed, but now Reeder says the federal government is punishing him for trying to live again.

News on 6 anchor Craig Day says since the Oklahoma City bombing 10 years ago, Pat Reeder says there isn't a day that goes by that he doesn't think about the loss of his wife Michelle. "I loved her dearly. There is nothing that is ever going to change that."

Michelle was his high school sweetheart and wife of nearly 15 years. Reeder never thought he would remarry. But seven years after the bombing he married again to new wife Pam. â€œGetting penalized. Kicked in the teeth for getting remarried."

Reeder says he's being penalized because now that he remarried, he's being told he loses his first wife's federal employee death benefits, which include a monthly annuity payment and health coverage. "I was left with the impression, the definite impression that these were our benefits for life." But the Office of Workers Compensation says the shouldn't be paid because Reeder remarried before the age of 55. The federal agency belatedly discovered Reeder's remarriage after three years despite his annual notification through the agency's required survey. And they're now asking him to pay some of the money back. It amounts to about $12,000.

Pam Reeder, "It doesn't seem fair. It's not like he's asking for millions. he just wants to receive this and go forward with the life that he's rebuilt." Reeder says he has spoken to a claims examiner and is waiting for paperwork to file an appeal with the Labor Department.

As the 10th anniversary of the bombing approaches, Reeder considers himself a victim once again. The Reeder's say they know of two other similar cases involving family members of bombing victims. They hope to find out how common the situation is and how it can be fixed.