I spent some time at the Highland Falls Library this past week looking at the items that were part of the Town of Highlands Historical Society’s display on the return of the hostages from Iran in 1981. I didn’t live here then, in fact I was in ninth grade, and had just returned to the United States after living in Germany for three years. I don’t have too much of a recollection of that period in US history at all, so reading through this local ‘living history’ has really been a learning experience.

One of the framed items in the display was an editorial written by my longtime friend and former boss, Fred Brennan. He had a way with words that I can only keep trying to emulate.

When I read what he wrote at that time, though, it made me think of how welcoming our Highlands and Cornwall communities still are, and how, while we don’t have tons of money to do huge things, we do the things anyway. This past weekend was a great example – the Fall Foliage Festival in Highland Falls, and the Color Bash in Cornwall. Volunteers took the time to put something on for the community they love, and in return, that community loved what they did. Win-win. Thank you, to all who worked so hard on those events, and will continue to work hard on others.

I’ll close with Fred’s editorial from the first week of February 1981. It was called, as above, “Welcome Home and Welcome Here.” Here it is:

“Although they’re gone from our midst now, the thoughts of the Town of Highlands residents are still very much with the 52 Americans freed from Iranian captivity, for many reasons…

First, because of their bravery and steadfastness during their captivity during abominable circumstances.

Second, because of the tremendous emotion which everyone felt at the joyous news of their release, and the reunion with their families after 444 days.

And then, perhaps the most personal reason for people here, because of the great honor we felt in being allowed to participate, in some small way, in their return to American soil. People here felt not only overwhelming joy for the return of the 52, but also a sense of patriotism, and a sense of being part of history.

The joy was expressed the best way we could – in banners, in decorations, in signs, and simply by being nearby when they arrived.

What we tried to say in those ways was simply: “We love you; and we’re overjoyed that you’re back among us, and back among your families.”

And with that was a sincere invitation that, once all the hubbub and excitement is over, this community would gladly welcome all 52 back in our midst to visit. Nothing, we realize should interfere with the reunion of loved ones, and the great national reception that far exceeds the lavishness of ours. But what we said was –

Welcome home, and welcome here, always.”