Anderson Is Not Forgotten at Westminster Nursing Home

American troops may be coming home from the Middle East, but about 40 children at a Santa Ana day-care center and a woman from a Westminster convalescent home gathered Friday in honor of an American journalist held hostage in Lebanon for the past six years.

Mary Galdez, 68, was one of seven residents at the Hy-Lond Convalescent Home--now called Beverly Manor--who “adopted” hostages shortly after their capture, writing letters to the hostages’ families and to officials of foreign governments to plead for their release.

Galdez’s adopted hostage is Terry A. Anderson, a correspondent for the Associated Press who was captured six years ago today. Galdez and children at Pride Development Council in Santa Ana gathered to light candles on a birthday cake for Anderson.

“Where’s Mary’s son?” the children were asked, as Galdez sat in a wheelchair in front of the cake.

“He’s in . . . the hostage,” came the reply from one preschooler.

Once the geography was completed, the children sang happy birthday for Anderson, then happily devoured the cake.

Nancy Fontaine, director of Pointes of Light, a Westminster volunteer group that works with Galdez and other nursing home residents, said their adoptions of the hostages have improved their spirits and even helped one woman gain the strength to move into her own apartment.

Six American hostages, including Anderson, are believed to remain in captivity in Lebanon.