Iran hostages to gather, mark 30 years of freedom

WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) — A group of hostages held in Iran for 444 days will reunite at West Point next week, 30 years after their emotional homecoming there.

Barry Rosen will be among the former captives at a reunion hosted by the U.S. Military Academy. It will be a chance to catch up with friends who share an intimate and harrowing bond. They’ll also speak to cadets who were yet to be born when Rosen and the others were taken prisoner.

The crisis began when Iranian students took dozens of hostages in 1979 after the U.S. refused to deport the deposed shah. The 52 hostages were bound, blindfolded, kicked, taunted and isolated. They endured mock executions.

They were released just as Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the new president and were flown to West Point to rejoin their families.