Ceremony for Freed American Hostages

Deputy Chief of Mission in Tehran, Bruce Laingen speaking at podium: "Mr. President, Mrs. Reagan, members of the cabinet, Vice President and Mrs. Bush...I think I got that out of order in protocol terms...members of the diplomatic corps who are here, and all you beautiful people out there, I'm not sure I'm capable of this after that emotionally draining, but beautiful experience that all of us have just had on the streets of this magnificent city. Mr. President, I hope you were watching TV because I don't think any of us Americans have seen anything quite like it, quite so spontaneous, quite so beautiful, in terms of the best qualities of our people. And we are deeply grateful for it. Mr. President, our flight to freedom is now complete. Thanks to prayers and goodwill of countless millions of people, not just in this country, but all around the world. The assistance of those many countries and governments who understood the values and principles that were at stake in this crisis. The love and affection of our countrymen from all those tens of thousands on the streets today. To that lady we saw standing on a hillside as we came in from Andrews, all alone, with no sign, no one around her, holding her hand to her heart. The enveloping love and affection of small town America, of the kind we witnessed in that wonderful two day stop in New York State; West Point and its environs. And last, but not least, on this flight to freedom, the United States Air Force, on Freedom One. Mr. President, I give you now fifty-two Americans, supplemented by a fifty-third, Richard Queens sitting over here, overjoyed in reunion with our families, the real heroes in this crisis. Fifty-three Americans proud to re-join their professional colleagues who had made this flight to freedom earlier. Our six colleagues who came here with great cooperation and friendship of our Canadian friends, and thirteen who came earlier."