Freedom for 2 ‘Human Shields’

“You’re going to America. Pack.”

With those terse words, from the commander of a military installation south of Baghdad, Don and Brenda Swanke ended their role as “human shields” in Iraq last week and began a long journey home to Westlake Village.

The couple, trapped in Kuwait Aug. 2 when Iraqi military forces invaded the tiny Persian Gulf emirate, arrived Tuesday at Los Angeles International Airport from Frankfurt, Germany, to a joyous welcome from family and friends. They were among 170 western hostages released from Iraq last Friday after West German Chancellor Willy Brandt visted Iraq.

They had been in captivity for 65 days.

“I feel great, thank you,” said Don Swanke, 66, a construction project manager, as he hurried through the airport with his grown daughter, Jan, of Long Beach, and his wife, Brenda.

Brenda Swanke, cradling three red roses, said the couple was glad to be home, but said they fear for captives left behind.

“Let’s get the hostages out,” she said. “Let’s make them our No. 1 priority.”

She said that the couple had been taken to various strategic sites inside Iraq before her husband became ill and required hospitalization.

Don Swanke recalled one humorous moment from the ordeal: “On the way to Baghdad (from Kuwait) an Iraqi driving my car passed the bus. If you don’t know how to take a joke, don’t be a hostage.”