May Memories

I think back to many Mays ago (24) when my life and many of my friends’ lives were endangered by another human being in a hostage setting. If you don't know background on this situation, here is a small brief:

The Cokeville Elementary School hostage crisis occurred on May 16, 1986, at Cokeville, Wyoming, United States, when former town marshal David Young, and his wife Doris Young, took 167 children and adults hostage at Cokeville Elementary School. After a two-and-a-half hour standoff, a gasoline bomb the couple was carrying went off prematurely, injuring Doris Young while David Young was out of the room. Returning to the scene, David Young shot his wife, and then himself. All the hostages escaped, though 79 were later hospitalized with burns and injuries.

Background
David Young was the only police officer in Cokeville for 6 months in 1979. After being fired for misconduct, he moved to Tucson, Arizona. He returned on May 16, 1986 with his wife Doris. At 1:00 pm, they pulled up to the Cokeville Elementary School and unloaded a gasoline bomb, along with four rifles and nine handguns. David Young went to the school office, handing out a manifesto entitled "ZERO-INFINITY" and announcing "This is a revolution". Meanwhile, Doris went from classroom to classroom, luring 167 children and teachers to a first-grade classroom.


Standoff


In the classroom, David Young held the gasoline bomb, with the triggering mechanism attached to a shoelace tied around his wrist. He demanded a ransom of two million dollars per hostage and an audience with President Reagan. Doris brought in books, art supplies and a television to help keep the children occupied. Meanwhile, police and parents surrounded the school.


Resolution


About 2 and 1/2 hours into the standoff, David Young handed the bomb to Doris, and went to the bathroom. While he was gone, she jerked her hand on the triggering mechanism and the bomb exploded, filling the room with black smoke and severely injuring Doris. Immediately following the detonation, the teachers started to shove children through a blown out window on to the grass outside the school, causing chaos as panicked parents tried to break through police lines. Following the explosion, the police report states that Young rushed back to the room, shot his wife, and then returned to the bathroom to kill himself.


Aftermath and Injuries


76 of the hostages suffered injuries, mostly flash burns and other injuries from the exploding bomb. Several children reported seeing angels in the classroom that day, including many children which claimed to have seen a "beautiful lady" who told them to go near the window. Other children reported seeing an angel over each child's head. Investigations show that the bomb malfunctioned when it fired, which limited the damage. Had it exploded at full force, the bomb would have taken off the side of the school building, and likely killed everybody in the classroom.

Media


The incident was detailed in the book When Angels Intervene to Save the Children by Hartt and Judine Wixom, which formed the basis for a CBS made for TV movie entitled To Save the Children. In 2006, the Cokeville Miracle Foundation compiled a book of recollections about the day from parents, emergency workers and former hostages. The story was also featured on Unsolved Mysteries.

*Wikipedia

I am extremely grateful to be here on Earth today.  I walked away from the situation with minor burns and scrapes and a desire to NEVER return to school.  Since that dreadful day in my life accomplished many things:  finished Cokeville Elementary School, played volleyball, basketball, ran track, danced on the drill team (Pantherettes), Honor Society, enjoyed a normal childhood, graduated Valedictorian of my high school, married shortly after graduating to my Eternal companion, finished College, had three beautiful children whom I adore, been to the Bahamas, Hawaii (3 times), gone on cruises, camped, hiked, had a fulfilling career in accounting for 13 years and enjoyed the duties of my religion.  I love to be on this Earth.  I have FINALLY (after many years of wondering why this happened to our community) been able to forgive David for his horrendous act of free agency.  I sincerely hope others can forgive him and move on with their lives.  It is like a breath of fresh air.  A weight lifted.  I enjoy serving on the Cokeville Miracle Foundation and will always hold a spot in my heart for the small community of my roots.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  THEN - Me (7) Philip (4)

                                                         NOW (24 years later!)