Former Iraq Hostage Hopes for Quiet Return

Thomas Hamill is tired after his hostage ordeal in Iraq, but told family members in an emotional phone call that he was excited to soon be returning home, his grandmother said Thursday.

“He called me and we had a good talk,” 92-year-old Vera Hamill said. “He said he wants to be back home, but he doesn’t want to be in the limelight.”

At times emotional, Hamill told his grandmother, “He didn’t want ‘nothing big for me. I just want to be quiet and be with my family,’ ” she said.

Hamill, 44, escaped his Iraqi captors Sunday and has been treated for an arm injury at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. His wife, Kellie, joined him there, and the couple may return to Mississippi as early as today.

Officials in Macon, Miss., had planned a parade and other events to celebrate Hamill’s return, but they announced Thursday that the events had been called off at the family’s request.

Phyllis Hamill said Wednesday that her son made it clear he did not want any celebration that praised him as a hero, telling relatives he was concerned about the potential effect on others still being held hostage.

“He was afraid it might hurt the situation,” she said.

Vera Hamill said the family appreciated the prayers and support offered during the uncertain days when Hamill was being held.

“He told us he had been praying, and I said, ‘That’s what brought you home, isn’t it?’ ” she said. “He just wanted us all to know he is to thankful to be back.”

In Germany, hospital spokeswoman Marie Shaw said Hamill and his wife had “a very emotional reunion” and that Kellie Hamill had brought his favorite cowboy boots, red shirt and jeans.

In a statement Wednesday, Hamill said his condition was “definitely improving” now that his wife was with him.

“I’m ready to get [to Mississippi] and hug my children,” Hamill said.

Hamill was wounded in the arm and struck in the head with a rifle butt when his convoy was ambushed April 9.

On Sunday, he squeezed open the sheet metal door of the mud farmhouse north of Baghdad where he was being held, and ran to a U.S. military convoy passing by.

Hamill, who works for Halliburton Corp. subsidiary KBR, was among seven American contractors who disappeared after the April attack. The bodies of four have been found, and two workers remain missing. Two military men also vanished; one was later found dead and the other, Army Pfc. Keith M. Maupin of Batavia, Ohio, remains missing.