Military Doc: Contractors In Good Condition

Freed Americans "in great spirits" at Texas military base
By Laurel Jorgensen,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 3, 2008 9:30 PM CDT
Military Doc: Contractors In Good Condition
In this image provided by the US Air Force, former American hostage Keith Stansell, third from right, steps off the ramp of a C-17 Globemaster III at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, July 2, 2008.    (AP Photo)

The three American hostages rescued after more than five years in captivity in Colombia are in good physical and psychological shape, the Washington Post reports. The defense contractors, who arrived at a military base in Texas last night, were held by Colombian rebels in “very cruel and very spartan” conditions but are doing well and “in great spirits,” military officials said.

Results of tests for infectious diseases are pending, but “everything looks good at this point,” an Army doctor said. Keith Stansell privately reunited with his son, daughter, and parents at the base, and the families of Thomas Howes and Marc Gonsalves were on their way for reunions. The men made no public statements but are “very grateful to the government and armed forces of Colombia for this safe return, as are we,” an Army commander said. (More Colombia stories.)

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