The domestic terrorist attack in Oklahoma happened nearly 30 years ago on April 19, 1995, in which a massive homemade bomb composed of more than two tons of ammonium nitrate fertilizer and fuel oil concealed in a rental truck exploded, killing 168 people, damaging nearly 300 buildings, and reducing dozens of vehicles to ashes.

Jenn was in the Army then, called in to do something horrific—identify the deceased bodies and help pick up the pieces.

Who is Jenn Mangini?

U.S. ARMY female veteran, artist, animal lover (especially dogs!), and RN. She is a nature lover, gardener, and beach and water lover from the day she was born.

Born and raised in northern California, now residing in Portland, OR, this awesome Gen Xer grew up on an acreage surrounded by walnut trees and small creeks. This was the time she explored the landscape of tadpoles, pollywogs, and her own imagination. Also, during this period, she experienced love and affection from her adoptive family—the same people who became part of her incredible support system later in life.

Jenn is a 50-year-old (ish) woman who is in a category that most people don’t make it—a survivor.

A Shadow of Me : How the Oklahoma City Bombing Changed My Life is a 2025 Bookfest gold medal award winner in the memoir category! Mangini writes a raw, unflinching memoir of trauma, survival, and the long road to healing after one of the deadliest acts of domestic terrorism in American history.

In 1995, combat medic Jennifer Mangini was called to assist in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing. What she witnessed over three harrowing days while identifying victims would change her life forever. With searing honesty and unexpected humor, Mangini recounts her journey from idealistic Army recruit to emotionally scarred veteran grappling with PTSD, grief, and the invisible wounds of service.

Told with vivid detail and heart, this memoir is more than a soldier’s story—it’s a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit, a candid look at the unseen cost of tragedy, and a lifeline for anyone who’s ever found themselves lost in the dark, searching for a way back.