Monday, January 19, 2009
A True American Hero!
Last night was the 40th aniversary dinner of Presidential Classroom! All the Alumni got together to celebrate and reflect on youth in politics. We had a speech by the CEO of Geico who is a big supportor of Presidential Classroom. Anyway a man sat down next to me at dinner and we started talking. He is a member of the board for PC. He is an older gentleman and as the dinner went on I learned more and more about him. His name is Ambassador Bruce Laingen. Ambassador Laingen served in the US Navy in World War II and in the US Foreign Service from 1949-1987. His tours of service included assignments in Germany, Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. He helped take the Philippines for the US during WWII. He served as the US Ambassador to Malta from 1977-1979. In mid 1979 he returned to Iran for a second tour as charge d'affaires of the American Embassy before being held hostage in the Iran hostage crisis from November 4, 1979 to January 20, 1981. I asked him how he was able to get through being held hostage during the Iran hostage crisis. He said, "They beat me up, they threatened my life, and tried to take away my hope. But through it all I knew that I had people back home praying and thinking of me everyday I was held hostage. I had to go home to them. And I did!" I enjoyed my time talking to him and I can wait to see him again and talk to him for some more time! He IS a true American hero and I'm so glad that I got a chance to meet him!
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Wow, that is an amazing story. What a fantastic person for you to get to meet! Thanks for sharing his story with us.
ReplyDeleteWoah, that's just crazy. Cool that you got to meet him, though!
ReplyDeleteI hope your trip is very enjoyable overall and you don't get too chilly! ;-)
Being SO OLD, I remember the Iran hostage crisis very well. I was about 16, and I remember thinking, "Why don't we DO SOMETHING?? Get those men OUTTA THERE!" I remember one of the things people did to show support for the hostages was drive with their headlights on during the day. Wasn't that stupid? What did that help? How did that support them? It wasn't until we got a new president whom they were scared of that they finally released them (they were held for over 400 days). I was one of those who prayed for their safe return. I remember seeing them paraded in front of TV cameras blindfolded and with their hands tied behind their backs and feeling so angry. I also remember when they were released and thinking that I should feel safer, but I didn't. How lucky for you to get to meet this amazing man.
ReplyDeleteMy homeroom class is looking at your blog and they wanted to say "HI"!
ReplyDeleteJessi, I don't know if you remember but I was at the ticker tape parade in New York City 28 years ago celebrating the return of the Iranian Hostages to the United States! It was one of the most emotional experiences of my life. Of course, though, not as emotional an experience for me as your birth! Bundle up and stay warm
ReplyDeletejessi. thank you for sharing this wonderful experiance with me. the time it takes to report this, see the activoites and get some sleep. plus flying back and accross the United State of America. Makes me think you are superwoman. love, grandma
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