Monday, April 20, 2009
Woman asks Murray for signed 'Caddyshack'
One day after she was plunked on the head by Bill Murray's wayward tee shot, Gayle DiMaggio had a request: a signed copy of his movie "Caddyshack."
The actor, meanwhile, was back on the course Saturday for the second round of the Outback Pro-Am. And the course marshals took no chances: They wore hard hats.
DiMaggio lives on the course where Murray hooked his shot far to the left of the No. 9 hole at TPC Tampa Bay. She was hit on the left temple Friday as she stood in her backyard to watch the first round. She never lost consciousness but needed stitches at a hospital.
DiMaggio, who has lived on the course for eight years, recounted her mishap and her encounter with Murray.
"He came over and laid down on the ground with me and he was very concerned, asking if I was OK," she said. "Once he knew I was OK and not seriously hurt, then he started joking with me, asking how many fingers he was holding up."
DiMaggio was at it again Saturday, watching the second round, and was almost conked again. This time, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks nearly hit her. But when Murray was about to shoot, she took cover. DiMaggio stayed inside her screen enclosure until the actor's foursome teed off. Friends and family stood in her yard wearing hard hats.
Murray came to DiMaggio's backyard and asked her how she was feeling. DiMaggio said the only thing she wanted from the actor was his autograph on a copy of "Caddyshack," the rollicking golf comedy from 1980 in which Murray starred.
Earlier, a large crowd showed for Murray's 12:50 p.m. tee time. The 58-year-old comedian joked through most of his partners' tee shots. When Murray stepped up for his shot, the course marshals also donned hard hats and warned the crowd for incoming shots from the "Ghostbusters" star.
Murray laughed, and before teeing off told the crowd, "This one is for a little girl in a hospital."
His drive was a perfect draw down the fairway.
The actor, meanwhile, was back on the course Saturday for the second round of the Outback Pro-Am. And the course marshals took no chances: They wore hard hats.
DiMaggio lives on the course where Murray hooked his shot far to the left of the No. 9 hole at TPC Tampa Bay. She was hit on the left temple Friday as she stood in her backyard to watch the first round. She never lost consciousness but needed stitches at a hospital.
DiMaggio, who has lived on the course for eight years, recounted her mishap and her encounter with Murray.
"He came over and laid down on the ground with me and he was very concerned, asking if I was OK," she said. "Once he knew I was OK and not seriously hurt, then he started joking with me, asking how many fingers he was holding up."
DiMaggio was at it again Saturday, watching the second round, and was almost conked again. This time, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks nearly hit her. But when Murray was about to shoot, she took cover. DiMaggio stayed inside her screen enclosure until the actor's foursome teed off. Friends and family stood in her yard wearing hard hats.
Murray came to DiMaggio's backyard and asked her how she was feeling. DiMaggio said the only thing she wanted from the actor was his autograph on a copy of "Caddyshack," the rollicking golf comedy from 1980 in which Murray starred.
Earlier, a large crowd showed for Murray's 12:50 p.m. tee time. The 58-year-old comedian joked through most of his partners' tee shots. When Murray stepped up for his shot, the course marshals also donned hard hats and warned the crowd for incoming shots from the "Ghostbusters" star.
Murray laughed, and before teeing off told the crowd, "This one is for a little girl in a hospital."
His drive was a perfect draw down the fairway.
Florida Man Bitten by Shark While Surfing
A surfer was bitten on the foot by a shark and may have lost two toes.
The bite happened at around 3:45 Sunday near Jupiter, on Florida's East Coast. Witnesses told officials that the victim was bitten on the foot and may have lost two toes. Lifeguards wrapped the wounded foot in towels until paramedics arrived to treat the man on the beach.
He was taken to Jupiter Medical Center where the staff said he is in stable condition.
The bite happened at around 3:45 Sunday near Jupiter, on Florida's East Coast. Witnesses told officials that the victim was bitten on the foot and may have lost two toes. Lifeguards wrapped the wounded foot in towels until paramedics arrived to treat the man on the beach.
He was taken to Jupiter Medical Center where the staff said he is in stable condition.
British Actress Found Hanged Two Days After Show's Finale
A talented young actress who starred in a long-running TV series has been found hanged two days after the show ended.
Stephanie Parker starred in the TV series Belonging for seven years
The body of Stephanie Parker, 22, was discovered on open ground near Pontypridd on Saturday morning, South Wales Police said.
Stephanie was a regular member of the cast of the BBC Wales drama, Belonging.
She had played the role of Stacey Weaver since she was 15 years old.
The tragedy happened after the final episode of the award-winning series was broadcast last Thursday.
"Stephanie's talent played a major part in making Belonging the success it was and I'm sure that the programme's fans will be shocked by this untimely news," said Clare Hudson, BBC Wales Head of Programmes, English Language.
The drama, set in the Welsh Valleys, was brought to an end to pave the way for a new BBC Wales flagship drama.
Stephanie Parker starred in the TV series Belonging for seven years
The body of Stephanie Parker, 22, was discovered on open ground near Pontypridd on Saturday morning, South Wales Police said.
Stephanie was a regular member of the cast of the BBC Wales drama, Belonging.
She had played the role of Stacey Weaver since she was 15 years old.
The tragedy happened after the final episode of the award-winning series was broadcast last Thursday.
"Stephanie's talent played a major part in making Belonging the success it was and I'm sure that the programme's fans will be shocked by this untimely news," said Clare Hudson, BBC Wales Head of Programmes, English Language.
The drama, set in the Welsh Valleys, was brought to an end to pave the way for a new BBC Wales flagship drama.
Jake Plummer coaching at Sandpoint High
Former NFL quarterback Jake Plummer will be the quarterbacks coach at Sandpoint High School, in the scenic Idaho resort town where he lives.
Head coach Mike Mitchell said the 34-year-old Plummer will be paid as a normal assistant high school coach, and joked that it probably won't be what Plummer earned in his playing days.
Plummer played for the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos before retiring in 2006. He threw for more than 29,000 yards, 161 touchdowns and 161 interceptions in his decade-long pro career.
Plummer is a Boise native and retired to Sandpoint, an outdoor mecca in the Rocky Mountains along the shores of Lake Pend Oreille. His brother, Eric, already lived in the town.
Head coach Mike Mitchell said the 34-year-old Plummer will be paid as a normal assistant high school coach, and joked that it probably won't be what Plummer earned in his playing days.
Plummer played for the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos before retiring in 2006. He threw for more than 29,000 yards, 161 touchdowns and 161 interceptions in his decade-long pro career.
Plummer is a Boise native and retired to Sandpoint, an outdoor mecca in the Rocky Mountains along the shores of Lake Pend Oreille. His brother, Eric, already lived in the town.
Dodd's political recovery plan
Embattled Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) is bringing back a former chief of staff in hopes of bolstering his regulatory record as he battles for his political career.
Edward Silverman will become chief of staff for the Senate Banking Committee, according to several lobbyists close to the committee. Silverman currently heads public policy for Connecticut-based firm RBS Securities and serves as treasurer of Dodd’s leadership political action committee. The Banking Committee declined to comment on the hire.
Dodd has spent much of the past year fighting off allegations that he’s grown too close to Wall Street. Reports that he got preferential treatment from Countrywide Financial Corp. when he refinanced two homes and received a discounted price on a cottage in Ireland have stung him with voters back home.
Dodd denies any favorable treatment by the mortgage lender, but his problems were exasperated when he admitted that he played a role in writing language into the stimulus bill allowing American International Group executives to receive bonuses.
A recent Quinnipiac University poll showed Dodd trailing former GOP Rep. Rob Simmons by 16 percentage points. His disapproval rating was at an all-time high of 58 percent.
Republicans have signaled that they plan to pour money into the race and have already sent several e-mails attacking Dodd, a rarity in deep-blue Connecticut.
Recently released Federal Election Commission reports showed that Dodd raised more than $1 million for his campaign in the first quarter. But nearly all of that money came from outside of the state, a fact that indicates Dodd may be struggling to reconnect with voters at home. Dodd raised just $4,250 from five Connecticut residents and $604,745 from nearly 400 individuals outside of the state, according to a Connecticut Post analysis.
Dodd spent much of the congressional recess barnstorming his home state, with events highlighting his work to reduce predatory lending by credit card and mortgage companies. He pledged to help the state get a share of the stimulus package to help speed up a long-discussed project build a commuter rail connecting New Haven, Conn., with Springfield, Mass. And Dodd touted his efforts to reform credit card lending by introducing legislation cracking down on the most abusive practices. Those efforts got a boost on Sunday, when top White House economic aide Lawrence Summers said the White House would turn its attention to the issue.
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan praised Dodd’s work on housing programs at events in Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven.President Barack Obama lent a hand on Friday, offering public support that could help bolster Dodd in his home state. Connecticut voted for Obama over challenger Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary last winter.
“I can’t say it any clearer: I will be helping Chris Dodd because he deserves the help,” Obama told the Boston Globe in a phone interview from Air Force One.
“Chris is going through a rough patch,” Obama said. “He just has an extraordinary record of accomplishment, and I think the people in Connecticut will come to recognize that.”
The loss of several key staff members has hurt Dodd’s ability to climb out of the hole he’s in. In December, Shawn Maher left his post as staff director for the Banking Committee to join the White House as deputy of legislative affairs for the Senate. Spokesmen Marvin Fast and Kate Szostak have also left the office.
Pundits and even some of his Senate colleagues said that Dodd botched his explanation about why Congress failed to stop AIG executives from receiving lavish bonuses, sparking a weeklong round of negative coverage. Dodd became a punching bag for the AIG bonuses scandal, even though he had called for even tougher restrictions on executive compensation than the White House.
Dodd initially denied that he changed legislative language that allowed the bonuses to go forward, but later said that he was involved with altering the provision. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner later admitted he pushed Dodd to make the changes.
Silverman brings the type of experience that could prevent such media firestorms from igniting in the future, said lobbyists. He spent nine years working for Dodd in the 1980s, serving as banking committee counsel, legislative director and finally chief of staff.In 1989, he joined RBS, where he currently works as managing director and head of public policy.
Silverman has donated $13,900 to Dodd since leaving the office, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Edward Silverman will become chief of staff for the Senate Banking Committee, according to several lobbyists close to the committee. Silverman currently heads public policy for Connecticut-based firm RBS Securities and serves as treasurer of Dodd’s leadership political action committee. The Banking Committee declined to comment on the hire.
Dodd has spent much of the past year fighting off allegations that he’s grown too close to Wall Street. Reports that he got preferential treatment from Countrywide Financial Corp. when he refinanced two homes and received a discounted price on a cottage in Ireland have stung him with voters back home.
Dodd denies any favorable treatment by the mortgage lender, but his problems were exasperated when he admitted that he played a role in writing language into the stimulus bill allowing American International Group executives to receive bonuses.
A recent Quinnipiac University poll showed Dodd trailing former GOP Rep. Rob Simmons by 16 percentage points. His disapproval rating was at an all-time high of 58 percent.
Republicans have signaled that they plan to pour money into the race and have already sent several e-mails attacking Dodd, a rarity in deep-blue Connecticut.
Recently released Federal Election Commission reports showed that Dodd raised more than $1 million for his campaign in the first quarter. But nearly all of that money came from outside of the state, a fact that indicates Dodd may be struggling to reconnect with voters at home. Dodd raised just $4,250 from five Connecticut residents and $604,745 from nearly 400 individuals outside of the state, according to a Connecticut Post analysis.
Dodd spent much of the congressional recess barnstorming his home state, with events highlighting his work to reduce predatory lending by credit card and mortgage companies. He pledged to help the state get a share of the stimulus package to help speed up a long-discussed project build a commuter rail connecting New Haven, Conn., with Springfield, Mass. And Dodd touted his efforts to reform credit card lending by introducing legislation cracking down on the most abusive practices. Those efforts got a boost on Sunday, when top White House economic aide Lawrence Summers said the White House would turn its attention to the issue.
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan praised Dodd’s work on housing programs at events in Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven.President Barack Obama lent a hand on Friday, offering public support that could help bolster Dodd in his home state. Connecticut voted for Obama over challenger Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary last winter.
“I can’t say it any clearer: I will be helping Chris Dodd because he deserves the help,” Obama told the Boston Globe in a phone interview from Air Force One.
“Chris is going through a rough patch,” Obama said. “He just has an extraordinary record of accomplishment, and I think the people in Connecticut will come to recognize that.”
The loss of several key staff members has hurt Dodd’s ability to climb out of the hole he’s in. In December, Shawn Maher left his post as staff director for the Banking Committee to join the White House as deputy of legislative affairs for the Senate. Spokesmen Marvin Fast and Kate Szostak have also left the office.
Pundits and even some of his Senate colleagues said that Dodd botched his explanation about why Congress failed to stop AIG executives from receiving lavish bonuses, sparking a weeklong round of negative coverage. Dodd became a punching bag for the AIG bonuses scandal, even though he had called for even tougher restrictions on executive compensation than the White House.
Dodd initially denied that he changed legislative language that allowed the bonuses to go forward, but later said that he was involved with altering the provision. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner later admitted he pushed Dodd to make the changes.
Silverman brings the type of experience that could prevent such media firestorms from igniting in the future, said lobbyists. He spent nine years working for Dodd in the 1980s, serving as banking committee counsel, legislative director and finally chief of staff.In 1989, he joined RBS, where he currently works as managing director and head of public policy.
Silverman has donated $13,900 to Dodd since leaving the office, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Parents of American jailed in Iran visit daughter
The parents of an American journalist imprisoned in Iran for allegedly spying for the U.S. visited their daughter Monday for the first time since she was sentenced to eight years in prison and said she was in good condition.The country's judiciary chief ordered a full investigation into 31-year-old Roxana Saberi's case, a day after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad asked the chief Tehran prosecutor to ensure she is allowed to offer a full defense in the appeal.
"She seems to be OK," Saberi's Iranian-born father, Reza, told The Associated Press after he and his wife visited their daughter in Evin prison north of Tehran. Roxana Saberi, who was born in the U.S. and grew up in Fargo, North Dakota, was convicted last week after a one-day trial behind closed doors.
The developments appear to be the latest signs that some senior Iranian officials want to ensure tensions over the case do not derail moves toward a dialogue with the Obama administration to break a 30-year diplomatic deadlock between the two countries.
However, Iran's Foreign Ministry took a swipe Monday at President Barack Obama, saying "those who studied law" should not comment on the case without seeing the context. It was a clear reference to Obama, who has a law degree from Harvard University and taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago before becoming president.
Some analysts have said the mixed messages emerging from Iran may be an indication of political divisions in the leadership, with hard-liners in the judiciary trying to hamper government moves toward closer relations with the U.S. by pressing the Saberi case.
Obama said Sunday he was "gravely concerned" about Saberi's safety and well-being and was confident she was not involved in espionage.
The visit by Saberi's parents, who live in Fargo but traveled to Iran to seek her release, may help ease some of those concerns.
"As far as she is healthy and she is taking good care of herself, I told her I will be OK," Akiko Saberi, the journalist's mother, told the AP.
She denied her daughter was a spy, saying "once you know her she is the last person to do that."
Saberi's father said his daughter was looking forward to the appeals process because she believed the verdict was too harsh for her.
He said he hoped officials will heed Ahmadinejad's letter to the prosecutor on Saberi's defense at appeal.
"Also, they should be compassionate in their judgment and not very harsh," he said.
Saberi, who was 1997 Miss North Dakota, had been living in Iran for six years and worked as a freelance reporter for news organizations including National Public Radio and the British Broadcasting Corp. Because Saberi's father was born in Iranian, she received Iranian citizenship.
Iran has released few details about the charges Saberi, who was arrested in January and initially accused of working without press credentials. But earlier this month, an Iranian judge leveled a more serious allegation that she was passing classified information to U.S. intelligence services.
She told her father in a phone conversation that she was arrested after buying a bottle of wine. Her father said she had been working on a book about Iranian culture and hoped to finish it and return to the U.S. this year.
The United States broke off diplomatic relations with Iran after its 1979 Islamic revolution and takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. Iran has been mostly lukewarm to the Obama administration's overtures, but last week, Ahmadinejad said Iran was ready for a new start.
However, some hard-liners in Iran are opposed to improved U.S.-Iran relations.
The hard-line Iranian newspaper Jomhuri criticized Ahmadinejad's letter to the Tehran prosecutor in an editorial Monday, saying government intervention in the judiciary was banned by the constitution. It also said the letter implied the judiciary had not upheld Saberi's rights.
Saberi's conviction also comes about two months ahead of key presidential elections in June that are pitting hard-liners against reformists, who support better relations with Washington. Ahmadinejad is seeking re-election, but the hard-liner's popularity has waned and he's been trying to draw support away from reformists.
Some analysts also have speculated Iran is using Saberi's case as a way to gain leverage over the U.S., possibly to procure the release of five Iranian diplomats detained in northern Iraq in 2007.
Qashqavi, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, rejected the link between Saberi and the diplomats Monday, saying her case has been "linked to irrelevant issues."
The Iranian president also met late Sunday with Swiss President Hans-Rudolf at a U.N. racism conference in Geneva. During the meeting, Merz pressed Saberi's case though no other details were immediately available. Obama said Sunday that the United States would communicate with Iran about Saberi through its Swiss intermediaries, which have officially represented U.S. interests in Iran since the 1979 hostage crisis.
Meanwhile, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said Monday he wants to travel to Iran with a delegation to personally appeal for Saberi's release. "We need all those that have a voice to help us appeal to Iran to please let her go," Jackson said at a university forum during a visit to Malaysia.
"Leaders of wisdom must not allow this young woman to be a pawn in a bigger debate and lose focus on so many possibilities," Jackson added.
Airplane hijacker captured in Jamaica; no injuries
A gunman forced his way though airport security and hijacked a Canadian jet near Montego Bay, holding six crew members hostage for eight hours before police and soldiers stormed the aircraft on Monday and captured the man.
Nobody was killed or injured in the ordeal, which ended with a raid near daylight after talks broke down with a 20-year-old Jamaican hijacker described as "mentally challenged."
"We were getting nowhere with the negotiations," Jamaican Information Minister Daryl Vaz told The Associated Press. "Police and military went on the plane and captured him."
The suspect identified as Stephen Fray was in custody. Vaz said he is a "mentally challenged" 20-year-old man from the northwestern resort city of Montego Bay. He did not detail the man's mental condition but said he was apparently upset over a failed relationship.
The hostage crisis that began around 10:20 p.m. Sunday and ended near 6:40 a.m., when members of the Jamaica Defence Force Counter Terrorism Operations Group stormed the aircraft's cabin, according to a police statement.
The young man boarded CanJet Airlines Flight 918 in Montego Bay and demanded to be flown to Cuba, Vaz told The Associated Press.
A total of 159 passengers and eight crew members were aboard the Boeing 737 at the time, according to Jamaican police. Police said all the passengers and two crew members were released after a short time.
There were unconfirmed reports that a shot was fired outside the aircraft, CanJet Vice President Kent Woodside said in a news conference Monday. He said the passengers also were robbed.
Alphonse Gosselin, whose 30-year-old son Christian was on the plane, said his son told him that the hijacker pointed a gun at him and other passengers. Christian and his girlfriend were among a group of 22 family members traveling to Cuba for a wedding.
"The first thing that he said to his girlfriend was, 'Be calm. Don't say a word.' He said take your passport and your credit card and put it in your back pocket. He said we'll give him the money," Gosselin said in an interview from Tracadie Sheila, New Brunswick.
All the passengers were Canadian, Woodside said. The plane had arrived from Halifax, Nova Scotia, and was scheduled to stop in Santa Clara, Cuba, before returning to Canada.
Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding addressed all the passengers after they were debriefed by police, according to the police statement.
The passengers were taken to a hotel, Vaz said. CanJet planned to fly another aircraft to Montego Bay to return the passengers to Canada, Woodside said.
"It's a most unfortunate situation, but I can say the passengers are happy to be alive," Vaz said. "This whole experience has been very traumatic for them."
CanJet Airlines said 174 passengers were expected on the flight, but some apparently were not aboard by the time of the hijacking.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who was in Jamaica for a one-day visit, called Golding and "congratulated him for the successful resolution," Harper spokesman Dimitri Soudas said.
The charter airline is owned by Halifax-based IMP Group Ltd., according to CanJet's Web site.
Jamaican National Security Minister Dwight Nelson said the plane has been isolated and the airport is expected to reopen Monday morning.
___
Associated Press writer Mike Melia contributed to this report from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
___
On the Net:
http://www.canjet.com/
Nobody was killed or injured in the ordeal, which ended with a raid near daylight after talks broke down with a 20-year-old Jamaican hijacker described as "mentally challenged."
"We were getting nowhere with the negotiations," Jamaican Information Minister Daryl Vaz told The Associated Press. "Police and military went on the plane and captured him."
The suspect identified as Stephen Fray was in custody. Vaz said he is a "mentally challenged" 20-year-old man from the northwestern resort city of Montego Bay. He did not detail the man's mental condition but said he was apparently upset over a failed relationship.
The hostage crisis that began around 10:20 p.m. Sunday and ended near 6:40 a.m., when members of the Jamaica Defence Force Counter Terrorism Operations Group stormed the aircraft's cabin, according to a police statement.
The young man boarded CanJet Airlines Flight 918 in Montego Bay and demanded to be flown to Cuba, Vaz told The Associated Press.
A total of 159 passengers and eight crew members were aboard the Boeing 737 at the time, according to Jamaican police. Police said all the passengers and two crew members were released after a short time.
There were unconfirmed reports that a shot was fired outside the aircraft, CanJet Vice President Kent Woodside said in a news conference Monday. He said the passengers also were robbed.
Alphonse Gosselin, whose 30-year-old son Christian was on the plane, said his son told him that the hijacker pointed a gun at him and other passengers. Christian and his girlfriend were among a group of 22 family members traveling to Cuba for a wedding.
"The first thing that he said to his girlfriend was, 'Be calm. Don't say a word.' He said take your passport and your credit card and put it in your back pocket. He said we'll give him the money," Gosselin said in an interview from Tracadie Sheila, New Brunswick.
All the passengers were Canadian, Woodside said. The plane had arrived from Halifax, Nova Scotia, and was scheduled to stop in Santa Clara, Cuba, before returning to Canada.
Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding addressed all the passengers after they were debriefed by police, according to the police statement.
The passengers were taken to a hotel, Vaz said. CanJet planned to fly another aircraft to Montego Bay to return the passengers to Canada, Woodside said.
"It's a most unfortunate situation, but I can say the passengers are happy to be alive," Vaz said. "This whole experience has been very traumatic for them."
CanJet Airlines said 174 passengers were expected on the flight, but some apparently were not aboard by the time of the hijacking.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who was in Jamaica for a one-day visit, called Golding and "congratulated him for the successful resolution," Harper spokesman Dimitri Soudas said.
The charter airline is owned by Halifax-based IMP Group Ltd., according to CanJet's Web site.
Jamaican National Security Minister Dwight Nelson said the plane has been isolated and the airport is expected to reopen Monday morning.
___
Associated Press writer Mike Melia contributed to this report from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
___
On the Net:
http://www.canjet.com/
Columbine students strive 10 years after massacre
The "boy in the window" — who fell bloodied and paralyzed into the arms of rescuers during the horrifying Columbine High shooting rampage — is doing just fine.Now 27, Patrick Ireland has regained mobility with few lingering effects from gunshot wounds to his head and leg a decade ago. He is married and works in the financial services industry. His mantra: "I choose to be a victor rather than a victim."
Like Ireland, many survivors of the April 20, 1999, massacre have moved on to careers in education, medicine, ministry, retail.
But emotional scars still can trigger anxiety, nightmares and deeply etched recollections of gunfire, blood and bodies.
Some have written books; a few travel the world to share their experiences to help victims of violence.
"People have been able to have 10 years to reconcile what happened and see what fits in their life and who they are," said Kristi Mohrbacher of Littleton, who fled Columbine as the gunfire erupted. "It's kind of a part of who I am today. I think my priorities might be a little bit different if I hadn't had that experience."
Just after 11 a.m. on that day, Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, stormed the suburban school, killing 12 classmates and a teacher and wounding about two dozen. The massacre ended with the gunmen's suicides not quite an hour later.
Sean Graves saw the pair loading weapons in a parking lot and thought they were preparing a senior prank with paintball guns.
Graves, Lance Kirklin and Daniel Rohrbough were walking toward them for a better look when the gunmen opened fire, killing Rachel Scott and Rohrbough and critically wounding Anne Marie Hochhalter, Graves and Kirklin, among others.
In the second-floor library, Ireland was about to finish some homework when he heard pipe bombs exploding in the hallway. Debris fell from the ceiling and a teacher shouted for students to take cover.
Klebold and Harris strode in, shouted for students to stand up, laughing and ridiculing classmates as they sprayed bullets.
Ireland was under a table with Dan Steepleton and Makai Hall when they were shot in the knees. Ireland was shot twice in the head and once in a leg, and lost consciousness.
The killers shot out a library window. Graves, lying partially paralyzed on a sidewalk below, worried that they would return. He smeared blood from his neck wound on his face and the ground to make it appear he was dead.
Harris and Klebold killed 10 students in the library before they left to reload, which gave some survivors a chance to flee. Steepleton and Hall tried to pull Ireland but couldn't move him far before they fled for safety.
Shortly before noon, the gunmen returned to the library and committed suicide.
Ireland awoke some time later, his vision blurred. With fire alarms sounding and strobe lights flashing, the partially paralyzed teen began to push himself toward the bullet-shattered window.
Over the next three hours, he pulled his body along, lost and regained consciousness, then moved again through tables and chairs and past classmates' bodies. He figures he traveled about 50 feet to the window.
"I thought how much easier it would be just to give up, stay there and let somebody come get you or whatever would happen to you," Ireland said.
"But every time those thoughts came in my mind, I thought about all the people that I would be giving up on. ... It was really the friends and family I would be letting down that kept me going."
Ireland pushed himself up to the window and got the attention of SWAT teams below. He doesn't recall flopping over the sill and dropping into the arms of rescuers, the image that grabbed the attention of TV viewers nationwide.
Graves, now 25, moved into a suburb near the mountains, where he recently purchased a home with his fiancee, Kara DeHart, 22. He walks with a limp and still feels pain but keeps a positive attitude. He plans to return to college to pursue a career in forensics science, a path that began to interest him after Columbine.
On Monday's anniversary, Graves will go back to the spot where he was shot, smoke a cigar and leave another on the ground for Rohrbough, something he does every year.
With two children at Columbine, Ted Hochhalter watched the drama unfold on television while waiting in a Seattle airport for a flight back to Denver. He arrived to find his daughter, Anne Marie, paralyzed and in critical condition, and that his son Nathan had been trapped, but unhurt, in the science wing for four hours.
He took a leave of absence from his job as a government emergency management coordinator. Six months later his wife, Carla, who had a history of mental illness, walked into a pawn shop, picked up a gun and committed suicide.
Hochhalter believes the aftermath of the shootings exacerbated his wife's illness. "It got to a point where she made a choice," he said.
He moved the family into the mountain community of Bailey and married Katherine Zocco, a massage therapist specializing in neuromuscular, spinal cord and brain injuries who worked with Anne Marie and other Columbine survivors.
Anne Marie, now 27, graduated from Columbine in 2000 and lives in a Denver suburb where she works as a retail store manager and a child advocate. Her father retired with a medical disability for post traumatic stress disorder.
The elder Hochhalters are working with John-Michael and Ellen Keyes, whose daughter Emily was killed in a 2006 school shooting in Bailey, to get parents involved in school emergency management programs.
Patrick Ireland, the boy in the window, endured grueling therapy to regain the use of his legs, and he had to relearn how to read, write and talk.
With a control-your-destiny determination, he graduated as valedictorian from Columbine and magna cum laude from Colorado State University. Today, he is a field director for Northwestern Mutual Finance Network in the Denver area and has been married to Kacie for nearly four years.
Ireland recognizes he'll long be remembered as the face of Columbine because of his dramatic rescue. He accepts it as a way to emphasize that Columbine should be another word for "hope and courage."
And how does he want to be remembered?
"A triumphant recovery and success story."
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