Westminster : Hostage Families Send Roses to Nursing Home

The families of seven Americans kidnaped in Beirut sent a Christmas present of a dozen roses to each resident of the Hy-Lond Convalescent Hospital who hasadopted the hostages in prayer.

The residents have held prayer vigils every day since July for the release of the captured Americans.

“It makes the residents feel like they are contributing to the hostages’ release,” said Nancy Fontaine, activities director of the Westminster home.

The patients have participated in two ceremonies with the hostages’ families to dramatize the victims’ plight and pray for their release. One observance was to celebrate the release of the Rev. Benjamin Weir, a missionary, and the escape of journalist Jeremy Levin from his captors.

Resident Alice Mount adopted David Jacobsen, a former Huntington Beach resident kidnaped while working as director of the American University Hospital in Beirut.

Dorothy Williams adopted Father Lawrence Jenco, head of Catholic Relief Services; Barbara Landry adopted William Buckley, a U.S. diplomat who was reportedly killed by his captors.

Mary Goldez adopted Terry Anderson, a Beirut bureau chief for the Associated Press. William Miller prayed for Weir, but Miller died two days before the hostage’s release in September. Weir’s family sent Miller’s wife a bouquet, Fontaine said.

Ruby Hildry adopted Thomas Sutherland, dean of American University’s School of Agriculture, and Fontaine adopted Peter Kilburn, the librarian at American University.