And my children. Blasting cap wires had been cut before detonation, a gasoline leak prevented explosive powder from setting the air on fire, and, despite a great deal of shrapnel, no one had been hit. As Davids youngest child, Penny, still lived with them, they quickly sought a new home in a trailer park. In 1986 in a quiet, rural town, two people armed with a bomb entered the communitys elementary school. May 16, 1986, will never be forgotten by the residents of Cokeville, Wyo. It was not a teacher, but her ancestor. Mark Junge: This was a life-changing event. Director T.C. They're the ones that died from the whole thing. Oral histories, memoirs and drawings began to reveal a narrative of fortune rather than misfortune. Katie Walker tells the story of what she saw that day, and why it's important to have pictures of your ancestors. She was a divorce who earned money working as a waitress and singer in a local bar. And that was their whole intent of coming to Cokeville. I mean, Columbine, it wasn't that way. The Cokeville Miracle. I would peer through the windows, sit outside and watch over them during recess like a creeper just to make sure nothing was happening to them. I contacted my sheriff, and that was Jim Stark at the time, and he said, "Definitely! As a result, the blast, which should have leveled the entire wing, had gone straight up and so minimized human harm. What is sacred to some, is smeared by others - even after we hear eye-witness accounts of miracles. To go off to the side? Prayer and Miracles: Cokeville Bombing Lessons Told to a Columbine Survivor As a society we tend to talk around or mock prayer and having faith in God. I said, "What on earth happened there?" The Cokeville Miracle Free with ads PG-13 YouTube Movies & TV 160M subscribers Subscribe 23K Share Children who were held hostage in their elementary school tell stories of miraculous things,. The heat of the summer day made the crowded room feel even smaller, and fumes from the gasoline bomb made everyone sick. Had a small pin-hole leak in it and it dripped into both containers and they both became paste. TC, I think, saw it the same way. Survivors shared their stories with each other, investigators, family members, and hospital personnel. Casper Chapter, Wyoming Archaeological Society, June Frison chapter, Wyoming Archeological Society. In so doing, he only hit one person music teacher John Miller, whod been helping others escape. Christensen Writers T.C. You just do whatever you have to do and get up there." How the Historic Persecution of Witches Led to the Infamous Salem Horrifying Old Hag Ghost Caught on Camera at Fort Worth Museum, Nightmare Fuel: 7 Strange and Creepy Demons From Around the World, In the Blood: 19 People Confess their Deepest and Darkest Family Secrets, 10 Strange and Sinister Sance Pictures from the Turn of the 20th Century, 6 Strange Supernatural Events Witnessed by Police Officers. Kameron Wixom, son of Hartt and Judene Wixom, writes a childlike faith saved us. In his contribution to the Witness to Miracles book, Kameron writes: I didnt have to see angels, hear them, or even think that their presence might be required that day. How has that experience shaped your life? Just before implementing the Biggie, David Young had also sent a copy of the document to President Ronald Reagan, the president of Chadron State College and numerous media outlets. I simply got on my knees and started crawling in the exact direction I needed to go.". By Liz Carlston, Contributor Author, Traveler and Culture Observer I want to really live and make a positive difference in the lives of others.". Because of the tiles and the window? Carbon County School District No. Mark Junge: No? Whenever you tell your story, you heal us one by one. Davids writings reveal that he hoped life would be better for him and Cokevilles children in this imaginary place. Katie has always . Investigators found that the bomb had been perhaps miraculously broken. Mark Junge: Do you think you've taken more joy out of life because of it? Had a gallon milk jug full of gasoline on one level, had aluminum powder, flour and those two components was in tuna fish cans directly under the gasoline bomb. There were plenty who opposed this from Cokeville, not a majority, maybe, but they were vocal and raw with feelings. Lori recounted several miracles from that day. This is not a Mormon film it is more of an inspirational film. When I looked at everyone looking at me (as if I should call on someone to say it) I realized I should call on Allyson Cornia - literally because she was the smartest kid in the class! They forget about what happened in Cokeville with a lot more people and the potential of what was there. Rich Haskell: I don't know the birthdates but I know the names. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. Did this shake the faith of some people, or would you say it strengthened it in most? Current students at Cokeville Elementary School aren't taught about the '86 bombing, but most know the general story. Debbie Sparks and Steven Moore, both EMTs, discuss on May 9 the elementary school bombing. A new movie is coming out on Friday called "The Cokeville Miracle" that depicts not just this terrible event, but the various miraculous stories that emerged afterward. As the dire nature of their situation became apparent, children began sobbing and complaining of headaches or wanting to go home. I knew fairly quickly that he would be the best chance we had at this. Rich Haskell: I don't think that they were planningor David was planning on the ceiling tiles in the school. I think exploring this question can continue to offer healing to those pieces in us we don't fully recognize are hurt. Rich Haskell: Yes, there was a briefcase in the hallway, and we were toldbefore I had gotten there they had gotten papers from his daughter. Mark Junge: And you're sheriff in Sweetwater? Cokeville Elementary School is located at 205 N. Sage St. in Cokeville. I have guns and this is a bomb. . The Cokeville Town Hall is located at 110 Pine St. For more information, visit the website of the Cokeville Chamber of Commerce at http://www.cokevillewy.com or call (307) 459-4195. In their minds they could start another world. He knew what the community was all about. Then, shortly after 1 PM, mother, father, and daughter abandoned the van and walked through the schools front doors. That's why I have a computer. I think that day broke something in all of us to some small degree. Even lead investigator Ron Hartleys son pointed to an image of his grandmother as the angel whod protected him in the fire. Once all the hostages were contained in the first grade classroom, David Young informed them that they were leading a revolution and distributed copies of his philosophy Zero Equals Infinity to everyone present. The Hilton Garden Suites in Laramie, Wyo. Totally destroyed it! Because they refused to participate, Princess, Deppe, and Mendenhall were never charged in relation to this crime. Mark Junge: They weren't big enough, in a way. In Davids writings, he explained that the imaginary world of Zero Equals Infinity felt like his and the Cokeville childrens last resort. And afteryou look in there and you could see little pockmarks all through on the walls, and after we finished with our investigationit took us three days to totally do the whole entire sceneyou could tell where those pockmarks were bullets from the heat had gone off. "I remember coloring a picture, wondering what would become of us, and then suddenly being blown back against the wall," Lori said. What should people know going into the film? results in the deaths of perpetrators David and Doris Young; 154 hostages survive. Whether or not you believe in God or miracles, show some respect. Okay? You can ask me anything about this today between 1-2pm. In the wisdom of Kabbalah, miracles are defined in terms of a person's spiritual progress. He was asking large amounts of money. At that time, about 500 people lived in Cokeville, and there were slightly more than 100 students attending the elementary school. A Project of the Wyoming Historical Society. The town has worked to be as respectful as possible to the multitude of experiences that day. I learned that angels are real and that they are very much involved in our lives when necessary. I believe there was a hundred-and-sixty-plus people involved that was being held. This school is being taken hostage! TC (the director) also worked incredibly hard to make this a story that can be widely appreciated by members of all faiths. WyoHistory.org welcomes the support of the following sponsors. Peterson, Carol. I wondered what that was, but then immediately noticed my friends over by the door talking to Doris. They had both been married before and had children one daughter for Doris and two for David. Of course, most children were elated by the prospects of an assembly. Katie has always recognized the miracles of the day, but healing hasn't come easy. Rich Haskell: I sometimes do, but you can't let yourself think about it. Were you portrayed in the movie at all? Rich Haskell: Yep. . As well as I can. the cokeville miracle debunked. You know their names but not their birthdays. And he didn't even ask me if I wanted to do that. Blu-Ray. (Laughs) Yeah, I understand what you're saying, but it was. You HAVE to find the positives or the negatives can eat you up the rest of your life. Certified Bomb Technician. From film and book adaptations to the Wyoming State Archives oral history project, Survivor Is My Name, what is clear is that this reprehensible attack only made the community all the stronger. So timelines and characters may be switched up, but the overall spirit of it and the facts are laid out true to witness testimonies. 2 Recreation Board, Indigenous People in Wyoming and the West, Emergency Management Coordinator Kathy Davison on the 1986 Bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, EMT Glenna Walker, Mother of Three Young Children, on the 1986 Bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, Lead Investigator Ron Hartley, Father of Four Student Survivors, on the 1986 Bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, Public Works Director and Fireman Kevin Walker, Father of Three Young Children, on the 1986 bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, Secretary Tina Cook on the 1986 Bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, First grade teacher Janel Dayton on the 1986 bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, Second grade teacher Carol Petersen on the 1986 bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, Third grade student Rachel Walker Hollibaugh on the 1986 Bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, Third grade student Jamie Buckley King on the 1986 Bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, Fourth grade teacher Kliss Sparks on the 1986 bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, Fourth grade student LeaKae Roberts on the 1986 Bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, Green River Historic Preservation Commission, Natrona County Board of Cooperative Educational Services, Natrona County Recreation Joint Powers Board, Sublette County Historical Preservation Board, University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources, Casper Chapter, Wyoming Archaeological Society, June Frison chapter, Wyoming Archeological Society. 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