In brief
In a heartfelt remembrance, Rocky Sickmann recalls how President Jimmy Carter's unwavering support during the Iran hostage crisis saved his life and the lives of others.
Rocky Sickmann was a young US Marine stationed at the American embassy in Tehran when he found himself among 52 Americans held hostage for over a year starting November 4, 1979. As the political turmoil unfolded, it would be a defining moment not only for Sickmann but also for then-President Jimmy Carter, whose attempts to resolve the crisis shaped much of his presidency. Reflecting on his ordeal now at age 67, Sickmann remembered the first 30 days under traumatic conditions, shackled and blindfolded, doubting whether the American public and especially President Carter truly cared about their lives. During this time, many Americans blamed Carter for his inability to secure their release, which contributed to his defeat to Ronald Reagan in the 1980 election. However, Sickmann reiterates that Carter's commitment to bringing them home was profound. "He was a good man who wanted diplomacy," Sickmann explained. Through dedicated efforts, Carter remained involved with the families of the hostages, providing emotional support and hope during the harrowing experience. Sickmann's personal meeting with Carter occurred a year after they were freed, at a military base in Wiesbaden, Germany. Laughing about the unexpected attire they met the president in—pyjamas—Sickmann shared how touching it was to be greeted by Carter, who expressed that meeting them was one of the happiest moments of his life. A photo of that meeting would later arrive at Sickmann's home, signed by Carter. The bond didn’t end there; the two met again years later at a baseball game, a testament to the lasting connection born from their shared history. Inspired by Carter’s example, Sickmann founded a charity called Folds of Honor, which offers scholarships for families of fallen or disabled military members. Sickmann highlighted the importance of this work, especially in light of the unfortunate mission, Eagle Claw, which aimed to rescue the hostages but tragically ended in failure and loss of life. Though the hostage crisis was a dark chapter in Carter’s presidency, Sickmann remains grateful, attributing his survival to the constant advocacy of Jimmy Carter. In the end, he reflects, "For 444 days, I prayed hard, believing God was on our side, and also that President Carter kept us alive, keeping our plight visible to the world."
