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| May 05, 2024 |
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General News: Ex-Hostages to Reunite at West Point
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| The front page of the New York Times on January 21, 1980 featured both President Reagan's inauguration and the hostages' release. |
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| This sign in Highland Falls recounts how the ex-hostages arrived at West Point via what is now called Freedom Road. |
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| A memorial plaque on Main Street in Highland Falls recounts the arrival of the ex-hostages and commends the bravery of those who died in the rescue attempt. |
January 17, 2011
Thirty years ago this week, the route from Stewart Airport along Route 300 and Route 9W to West Point was a crowded scene. Thousands of people, many of them from Cornwall, lined the route cheering “U-S-A, U-S-A” and waved signs and yellow ribbons to welcome 52 American hostages who had just been released after 444 days in captivity in Iran.
This week, the Thayer Hotel at West Point is welcoming back the former hostages and their families for a three-day stay at the place that first welcomed them after their harrowing ordeal 30 years ago.
At that time, the captivity of the Americans inside the U.S. Embassy in Iran riveted the nation and contributed to the election of Ronald Reagan to the presidency In November 1980. On January 21, 1981, the day of Reagan’s inauguration as president, the hostages were released, triggering an outpouring of emotion for those who had endured the captivity.
18 Miles in Two Hours – Cheering All the Way
One of those hostages, William Daugherty, was working for the CIA in Tehran when the radicals stormed the embassy. He later recalled in A First Tour Like No Other, how it felt to land at Stewart airbase.
“We landed at Stewart Airport near Newburgh, New York, and, after having cheerful and tearful reunions with our families, we boarded buses for the ride ro West Point, where we were to have a sheltered two days with our families before going to Washington for our official welcome home. It took more than two hours to cover the 18 miles from the airport to West Point; the way was lined with well-wishers who carried all types of signs expressing their happiness to see us back and their feelings toward the Iranaians who held us captive.
“We loved each and every one of those posters. Around every turn, there were still more people waiting, with more signs and posters. There were masses of American flags and yellow ribbons everywhere. From the buses, we all waved until our arms grew tired, then we waved some more. All of us were deeply touched this parade.”
Veterans of Rescue Mission Invited, Too
The Thayer Hotel reports that at least 15 of the former hostages, along with their families, will be at the hotel for three days of reunion and remembering. The mayor of Highland Falls will host at reception for them at the public library on Saturday afternoon. Also invited to the private event are veterans of the ill-fated military rescue mission that ended in a helicopter crash that killed eight U.S. servicemen.
If you were part of the welcome for the ex-hostages, please leave your memories by logging in and leaving a comment here.
Click here to learn more about the Iranian hostage crisis.
Comments:
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It was an honor to be asked to work a shift at the Hotel Thayer during their first days with their families. I was a senior at CCHS and waited tables on weekends.
The Hotel and restaurant were closed to everybody except the ex-hostages and their families as the country was being very respectful of their personal time. Nevertheless, everybody was so curious. And serving them was quite a privilege.
Once at the Hotel, it was not business as usual. Instead of the usual 5-8 pm, the restaurant was open 24 hours and they could have anything they wanted to eat - on or off the menu - for free. As the families came in, it was hard to identify the former hostages because they had shaved by then.
I recall the mood being lighter than expected. The dining room is huge and it was very quiet as only a few families were there at a time. Despite the empty cavern, the families just seemed normal - would have never known that someone in their party had been held in captivity for 444 days in Iran. I was disappointed everybody ordered from the menu.
There were only a handful of people in the world who were able to participate during their first days home. I'll always be grateful to Steve Stahle from Lower Cornwall who put me on the schedule.
Barbara Thomson
posted by Barbara Thomson on 01/17/11 at 8:06 PM
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