Moses Lake hero honored

Jon Lane part of CBS specialto air July 4

MOSES LAKE — Jon Lane changed the lives of a classroom full of students Feb. 2, 1996.

Now, 10 years later, Lane will be honored for his courageous acts in a CBS special entitled "A Hero's Welcome" to air at 8 p.m. July 4.

The special chronicles the re-opening of the downtown Moses Lake Boys and Girls Club and its re-dedication to Lane, who was instrumental in helping to open the club.

The renovation of the interior was sparked in part by the students who witnessed Lane's heroism when he wrestled a gun away from the then 14-year-old shooter Barry Loukaitis.

There is first-hand narration of the day's events by four students that were in the classroom with Lane Feb. 2, including that of two students removed from the classroom before Loukaitis was subdued.

Of the students in the classroom that day, 12 were in attendance for the ceremony filmed by CBS in February. Also among the filmed attendees were roughly 200 members of the community including friends, family and colleagues of Lane's.

The special also includes surprises not only for Lane but for those in the audience as well. Some revolve around the Boys and Girls Club while others have a further reaching significance for the Lane family.

A word of warning to those sitting down to watch the segment with family and friends: there is a reenactment of the classroom events at the beginning of the Lane-focused portion of the special.