by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

“Our collective memory is tainted by what is and isn’t remembered about Waco,” said Lee Hancock, on-site reporter for the Dallas Morning News during the 51-day standoff where four federal agents and over 60 Branch Davidian religious cult members died, including 25 children. Hancock addressed the Sewanee Civic Association at the Oct. 2 meeting, posing the question, “Why does Waco matter?” Although the tragedy occurred 30 years ago, “What happened in Waco is still driving conspiracy theories, militia groups, and the divisive politics we’re living through right now,” Hancock insisted. The “what matters” theme was also reflected in the SCA update on current projects.

For the SCA 2023 marks 115 years of improving the quality of life on the Plateau, with the current Community Chest fund drive goal of $120,000 the highest ever and the first stages of the Mountain Goat Trail Welcome and Heritage Center scheduled to become a reality by Homecoming.

In addition to reporting on Waco, Hancock covered the subsequent trials and investigation. Netflix contacted her to serve as a consultant for the recently released “Waco: American Apocalypse” documentary. Hancock stressed the importance of understanding “What actually happened” at Waco. With flawed and inaccurate information abundant, “conspiracy stories become established truth,” Hancock said. One documentary nominated for two Oscars contained gross inaccuracies. What happened at Waco did not originate as a government plot “to take away everybody’s guns and second amendment rights,” Hancock insisted. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms had learned the Waco Branch Davidian cult was manufacturing illegal firearms and had ordered parts for grenades. The federal government’s plan: a Feb. 20 raid to arrest cult leader David Koresh and seize the illegal weapons. The cult learned about the raid beforehand, and the largest firefight since the Civil War ensued with four federal agents and five cult members dead, and many wounded, including Koresh. Koresh promised to come out the next day. But 51 days later the cult remained holed up inside the compound. The FBI had tried to intimidate the Davidians by crushing their vehicles with army tanks and attempted to wear them down with sleep deprivation, night-long blasting the compound with loud music and bright lights. Finally, the FBI decided to penetrate the building with tanks and to teargas the interior to drive out the cult. Hancock described the mood among the media as “almost excitement—they would come out now.” The tank and teargas assault began at noon, but almost immediately smoke began pouring from the building. FBI listening devices smuggled in with milk for the children later verified what had occurred. At 6 a.m. that morning the Davidians began spreading gasoline throughout the compound. The inferno that followed when the Davidians lit the fires and the arsenal inside exploded fulfilled Koresh’s prophecy of imminent “apocalypse.” Most cult members burned alive, although some died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

An informant warned the ATF the Davidians knew about the initial raid and advised the bureau not to proceed, Hancock said. She calls Waco an “absolute failure of communication.” Following the tragedy, the FBI declined to discuss the incident and issued no official statement, making matters worse by opening the door for conspiracy theory explanations. Hancock cites “lack of transparency” and “not appreciating the level of commitment” of the cult members as significant tactical errors. The tragedy taught hostage negotiators the importance of “understanding the other.” The Montana Freeman standoff several years later lasted longer, but the cult members all came out alive.

Hancock observed aficionados of “extreme ideas” frequently cite Waco, among these 1996 Summer Olympics bomber Eric Rudolf, Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, and the January 6 rioters who stormed the U.S. Capital. Presidential candidate Donald Trump held his first campaign rally at Waco this past April. Hancock recently signed on as associate producer for an upcoming documentary on the Oklahoma City bombing, another tragic event she reported on in her commitment to tell “the complicated truth.”

During the business meeting, SCA President Kiki Beaves introduced Community Chest cochairs Stephen and April Alvarez and Emily Puckette and John Benson. The SCA Board made “tough choices,” selecting 16 organizations for funding this year.

In the recent Sewanee Elementary School Supply Drive, the SCA raised $2,000 in donations and received $7,000 worth of supplies.

The fall Nonfood Supply Drive cosponsored with the Community Action Committee began Oct. 2. Bins are located at the CAC office for depositing items such as pet food and cleaning products those in need cannot purchase with SNAP benefits.

The SCA’s current headliner project, the MGT Welcome and Heritage Center, located on the former Hair Depot lot, will feature outdoor information racks and picnic tables. The SCA hopes eventually to incorporate the building into the project to offer handicap accessible restrooms.

The Sewanee Business Alliance AngelFest gala, scheduled for Oct. 20, will include food trucks, music and children’s games. Vendors wanting to participate should contact Ed Hawkins by Oct. 13.

The SCA meets next Nov. 6.