Soldier of Fortune Convention in Las Vegas Sept. 22-26 Will Honor the Man Who Stopped the Pearl High School Massacre.LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 15, 1999-- Soldier of Fortune magazine will open its 20th annual convention and expo in Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. Sept. 22-26 by presenting its 1999 Humanitarian Award to Joel Myrick, a high school principal who stopped the 1997 school shooting
Myrick, 38, was a vice principal at Pearl High School in Pearl, Miss., when 16-year-old Luke Woodham Luke Woodham (born February 5 1981) is a convicted American murderer, and a former resident of Pearl, Mississippi, who killed three people, including his own mother, and wounded seven in 1997. He is serving life in prison. came to school Oct. 1, 1997 with a deer rifle and opened fire, injuring seven and killing two students. Myrick, commander of the 631st field artillery brigade An artillery brigade is a specialised form of military brigade dedicated to providing artillery support. Other brigades might have an artillery component, but an artillery brigade is a brigade dedicated to artillery and relying on other units for infantry support, especially when of the Mississippi Army National Guard The Mississippi National Guard comprises both Army and Air National Guard components. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. , ran to his truck after hearing the gunshots, grabbed his Colt .45 pistol, chased and eventually confronted Woodham as he fled by car. Myrick held the teen at gunpoint until police arrived, asking Woodham, "Why are you shooting my kids?" "The moment I put a gun to his head, this vicious killer was suddenly just a kid again," Myrick said. Soldier of Fortune publisher Robert K. Brown Robert K. Brown is a combat correspondent, investigative journalist, and founder/editor/publisher of Soldier of Fortune magazine (SOF), a pro-gun, pro-military magazine which reports on various armed confrontations around the world, as well as on new weapons and other military said Myrick's action saved countless lives. Woodham, whose pockets were full of ammunition, started his day by murdering his 50-year-old mother. Many witnesses believe Woodham was on his way to shoot up nearby Pearl Junior High School when Myrick stopped him. Today, Joel Myrick is principal of Corinth High School, in Corinth, Miss. Without him, Brown said, the Pearl shooting may have claimed more lives than the Columbine High School Columbine High School is a secondary school in unincorporated Jefferson County, Colorado. The school is located at 6201 South Pierce Street, one mile west of the Littleton city limits and half a mile south of the Denver city/county line. shooting last spring in Littleton, Colo. "Myrick risked his life so others would live," Brown said. "His story highlights the need for all responsible adults to protect and maintain their rights to be armed against forces of evil and destruction. For his actions and bravery, Soldier of Fortune proudly honors Joel Myrick as the second recipient of the annual Soldier of Fortune Humanitarian Award, given exclusively to those whose actions have saved lives." Brown will present the award to Myrick Sept. 24 at Cashman Field Center, where thousands of conventioneers and adventure-seekers are expected. The five-day event features a three-gun tactical match, firepower demonstration, military equipment displays, seminars and events -- from simulated knife fights to water survival training. An awards banquet and auction follow on Sept. 25. The expo is open to the public Sept. 24-26. Admission is $8 per day, or $20 for a three-day pass. Tickets are available at Cashman Field in downtown Las Vegas Downtown Las Vegas can have several meanings depending on how it is used. It can mean:
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