Mel pulls Nathan away from the plane crash at
Old Hickory Lake Reservoir (per the T.E.C. agent's
instructions), just before the dam collapsed.
Day 1 of the hurricane Alycia aftermath odyssey begins.
Day 1 of the hurricane Alycia aftermath odyssey begins.
Pictured captured by an Engineering Drone.
Day 8: Nathaniel (left shoulder still dislocated from
his fall when the mine collapsed that morning) and
Melanie entering the abandoned apartment building of
"Old Hendersonville:" the first encounter with "Legion."
his fall when the mine collapsed that morning) and
Melanie entering the abandoned apartment building of
"Old Hendersonville:" the first encounter with "Legion."
"The Day That Changed Everything"
The events of this day Nathan remained most reluctant
to discuss in public. No one except these two knows
the whole story of what happened, except that it became
the day, which cemented his and Mel's relationship.
The events of this day Nathan remained most reluctant
to discuss in public. No one except these two knows
the whole story of what happened, except that it became
the day, which cemented his and Mel's relationship.
Picture reconstructed from Nathan's recollection.
Day 9: Nathaniel finishes "yelling" at Melanie
that night while cleaning-up from the mudslide.
She had totally ignored his repeated shouting (and
cursing) when the torrent pushed him under the
debris, trapping him, and she came down into the
crevice to free him. Obviously, despite Nathan's
warnings, they both managed to climb out again.
Picture reconstructed from Mel's account.
that night while cleaning-up from the mudslide.
She had totally ignored his repeated shouting (and
cursing) when the torrent pushed him under the
debris, trapping him, and she came down into the
crevice to free him. Obviously, despite Nathan's
warnings, they both managed to climb out again.
Picture reconstructed from Mel's account.
Day 18: Acting against Nathan's explicit instructions, a
scenario for which they planned after the events
with Legion on Day 8, Melanie emerges from hiding to
confront the three members, who had finally caught-up with
them. The three had stumbled across Nathan hunting that
dawn and held hm at gun point outside their camp.
The final twenty-four hours of the odyssey began.
Neither of them ever spoke publicly concerning what
happened next up through the arrival of the Army
helicopters - though rumors swirl to this day that
Mel once told Gwendolyne in a fit of anger during
a confrontation at Nathaniel's house.
Picture constructed by Mel.
Picture constructed by Mel.
Nathaniel & Melanie mingling at the 'O'
Welcome Back Dinner Party
Richard Holst held it at the Blind Beggar, the week before
the two appeared with Suzanne & Matthew on Good Morning Hendersonville, a month after their highly publicized rescue
by the Tennessee National Guard.
(or, as Matt noted, the picture that betrayed everything)
Photo by Jennifer H.
Nathaniel & Melanie at the Blind Beggar the day following
Richard's dinner party, interrupted by Matthew just after
Nathan presented Mel with her new leather jacket
(to replace the one lost after hurricane Alycia)
Photo by Jennifer H.
Nathaniel and Melanie pause before entering the
television studio of Good Morning Hendersonville to
chat with Governor Gibson.
television studio of Good Morning Hendersonville to
chat with Governor Gibson.
Photo by Jennifer H.
Nathaniel & Melanie take questions after their presentation
at Knox Doss, part of the "Surviving" lecture series
sponsored by the Boy and Girl Scouting Associations
of America, which took place during the ongoing recovery
in the aftermath of Hurricane Alycia.
As became typical, students would focus on Day 8, the
one day "known" to the public, which Nathan abhorred
discussing. Mel answered for them both:
one day "known" to the public, which Nathan abhorred
discussing. Mel answered for them both:
"Yes, it was totally terrifying." "Yes, he did what was
necessary." "No, he didn't hesitate." "No, he hasn't
forgiven himself." "Yes, I told him repeatedly there's
nothing to forgive." "Yes, I actually sutured his wounds."
"No, and sorry, but neither of us will give out our
phone numbers today. We've grown quite attached
to each other now." Nathan would just shake his head.
phone numbers today. We've grown quite attached
to each other now." Nathan would just shake his head.
Picture from archival footage of the event.
"Will someone please smile?"
President Nixon, Nathaniel Baird, Melanie Denaro, Chief
of Staff HR "Bob" Haldeman in the Oval Office with
Nathan's father, Colonel Baird (not in frame).
President Nixon turns to glance at the White House
photographer, who just interrupted the briefing.
Melanie had just finished answering questions about
what they found in the mine shaft.
"I have never seen Nate so nervous," she later told
Matt. "He kept fidgeting and finally just shoved his
hands in his pockets." "Weren't you nervous too?" Matt
asked. "No, I didn't vote for him," she retorted.
Matt laughed. "I bet the President just loved that."
Mel shook her head. "He had me sit next to him at
the dinner and wrote me nice note when we left."
Official White House Photo.
Mel and Nate just prior to the dinner during their visit
to the White House to receive recognition from President
Nixon for their eighteen (18) day ordeal, which also
marked the official end of the two (2) year recovery
from Hurricane Alycia and resumption of the school year.
Official White House Photo
Nathaniel recounts to President Nixon and his Chief
of Staff H.R. "Bob" Haldeman the details of the
encounter with the "Hairless Man" & the Federal Agents
prior to Old Hendersonville and the mine shaft.
The Secret Service had pulled them both from their
flight back to Tennessee. The NSA flagged the term
"T.E.C.," which Mel mentioned during the dinner.
President Nixon later joked with her before they boarded
Marine One about the number of times she "corrected"
Nathan's account.
"Don't you stop keeping him in line, Miss Denaro."
Official White House Photo.
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