Meanwhile, in Room 8, Brown and his pretend hostages played out a realistic drama. Staci Aikens, portraying a mother with an injured child, grew frustrated as she tried to figure out how to get an outside line on the classroom phone to give authorities Brown's demands. At the end of a media tour, Bird said the drill would probably continue a few more hours with a hostage negotiator making phone contact with the gunman and with members of the Crisis Action Team working their way into the building. He said he hoped they would note where the spent shell casings were and find the briefcase with the simulated bomb. Brian Centero, the school's new principal, said the drill will help assure parents and children that base security is prepared and looking out for the youngsters' safety.
Classes start at the school next week.
Hundreds of children attend school on the base. Montana, Reggie Jackson and Joe Rudi were the stars Monday at the fourth annual Viking Components Charity Golf Scramble at Green Valley Country Club. They helped draw a packed field to raise money for local and national charities. I'm not sure anyone would care what I had to say anyway. I'd much rather just walk around and meet people and have some fun.