By Ronnie Coffey, Town Historian
More than 300 visitors enjoyed the recent exhibit titled, “Hometown USA: Remembering the Iran Hostage Homecoming” mounted by the Town of Highlands Historical Society and sponsored by the Highland Falls Library.
As Town Historian I would like to begin by thanking the library’s Staff and Board of Trustees as well as Director Stacy Falk for their continued support and the use of the library’s beautiful community room. I am going to modify and old adage by saying, “It takes a Hometown” to create something like this.
Collaborating with Grace Suchanyc, a Fort Montgomery resident and student of International Relations at American University, we conducted 15 personal interviews and several site visits. Residents shared photographs, newspaper articles, magazines and memories. Volunteers moved 100 artifacts from the Historical Society to the library and assisted with technology to support a multi-media display. We are deeply grateful to Brian Aylward, Stella Bailey, Kevin Coffey, Peter Carroll, Joe Cyr, Ray Devereaux, Joe D’Onofrio, Jody Downey, Aaron Falk, Elliot Fishburne, Rich Fox, Denise Gibney, Michael Graber, John Gunza, Bob Livsey, Ron Malecot, Ann Molina, Jon Malinowski, Penny Moniz, June Patterson, Lesley Peterson, Mary Jane Pitt, Thomas Pitt, Stella Root, Jill Rose, Ed Rose, Rich Sullivan, Dick Stair, Janet Suchanyc, Holly West, and of course, former hostage William J, Daugherty for the donation of his vast collection of documents, artifacts, and memorabilia.
Additionally, we thank Fort Fitness and Recreation for providing refreshments for the opening of the exhibit. Our gratitude extends to the 5th and 6th grade teachers of Highland Falls Intermediate School for bringing their classes to learn about this special day long ago.
One of the most gratifying parts of the whole process has been listening to those who remembered that extraordinary experience share their memories with younger folks, helping accomplish the mission of the Town of Highlands Historical Society: To preserve and pass on the rich history of our community.