Southland Prepares to Greet Jacobsen

A parade and other festivities are being planned to celebrate former hostage David P. Jacobsen’s return to Southern California, but his sister said Saturday that his first days home will be spent with family.

Jacobsen, his two sons, his daughter and their spouses are scheduled to leave Washington this afternoon, but details about his return to Orange County were being carefully guarded. Jacobsen, 55, lives in Huntington Beach. The former administrator of the American University Hospital in Beirut was freed last Sunday after being held hostage 17 months.

His sister, Doris Fisher, said the family looks forward to several private days with Jacobsen before the festivities begin.

“David’s brothers, sisters and dad haven’t had a minute with him,” Fisher said. “He would like to meet in private and have a day or two with them. Then I’m sure he’ll be happy after that to talk with anyone and join the celebration.”

Nancy Fontaine, a family friend and administrator for the Hy-Lond Convalescent Home in Westminster, issued an invitation for other communities to participate in a public celebration Friday in Westminster, including a homecoming parade.

“If you have balloons or banners and want to be there, come to say ‘Welcome home, David,’ ” Fontaine said.

In Huntington Beach, city officials plan to lower a yellow flag that was raised at City Hall and present it to Jacobsen, but no date for the ceremony has been set.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, who last year proposed a motion that put posters about the Lebanon hostages in schools, courthouses and county offices, said he wanted to arrange a welcome at Harbor-USC Medical Center, where Jacobsen once worked for the county as an executive assistant.