On February 13, 2003, four Northrop Grumman employees flying a mission for the U.S. Southern Command crashed in the Colombian jungle, not far from a stronghold of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC). The pilot, Tom Janis and Colombian Army sergeant, Luis Alcides Cruz, were murdered by the FARC, and Keith Stansell, Marc Gonsalves and Thomas Howes were taken prisoner.
The three remained in captivity, held deep in the Colombian jungle, until a daring operation on July 2, 2008, in which FARC guerrillas were tricked into loading their captives onto a disguised Colombian government helicopter, rescuing the three men along with 12 other hostages.
"For more than five years, we prayed for the release and well-being of these heroic men and supported their brave families," said Ronald D. Sugar, Northrop Grumman chairman and chief executive officer. "We shared in the anguish while they were captives, and today we can share in the joy of knowing that they are free men and safe. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the many men and women of the Colombian and U.S. governments who have worked so hard for so many years to reunite Tom, Marc and Keith with their families."
U.S. Army South, BAMC to host “Yellow Ribbon Ceremony”
U.S. Army South and Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) will host a Yellow Ribbon Ceremony for Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell at 3 p.m. CST, July 7, in the BAMC Auditorium.
U.S. Army South commander Maj. Gen. Keith M. Huber will introduce the returnees and their families for a photo opportunity. Each returnee intends to make a statement, either on their own or through a designated family member, but at their own request they will not be taking any questions from the media.
Following the ceremony, the returnees and their families will depart the auditorium, and Maj. Gen. Huber, psychologist Col. Carl Dickens, BAMC physician Col. Jackie Hayes and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems president James Pitts will take questions from the media.
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Courtesy U.S. Army South, Office of Public Affairs
Public Statement by Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell
On July 4, 2008, the following transcript of a public statement was read by Maj. Gen. Keith M. Huber, U.S. Army South commander, at the request of Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell:
“First, we want to assure everyone that we’re all doing fine. Words alone can never possibly express the thrill and excitement we feel to be back home in the United States of America with our families at our side.
Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas (July 4, 2008) -- Marc Gonsalves, Keith Stansell and Thomas Howes (left to right, center), freed July 2 after more than five years of captivity in Colombia, stand with Col. Wendy Martinson, Garrison Commander of Fort Sam Houston; Brig. Gen. James Gilman, Commander of Brooke Army Medical Center; and Maj. Gen. Keith M. Huber, Commander of U.S. Army South; and members of their staffs. (Photo by Norma Guerra). Click here for hi-res image.
There are obviously many people we want to thank. Most of all, we want to thank our families: for their patience, for their love and for their support. For five and a half long years, we all hoped and prayed this day would come. Now that it has, we’re just overwhelmed with emotion. The love and the joy we’re all experiencing is beyond description.
Next, we want to offer our heartfelt thanks to the Government and the Armed Forces of Colombia. The operation they conducted to rescue us was one for the history books—something we will never forget for the rest of our lives. Colombia is a great nation with a great people, and the struggle they have endured with the FARC for more than 40 years is a shining testament to their great spirit: like the loved ones here with us now, they never gave up in the belief that human kindness and decency would ultimately prevail. To all those still held in captivity, our prayers and our thoughts are with you and your loved ones. We haven’t forgotten you, and we never will.
To our employer, Northrop Grumman, our sincere appreciation for your dedication and consistent support to our precious families throughout this ordeal.
Finally, we want to recognize our own United States Government who never forgot us, as evidenced by the tireless efforts of the superb team of men and women in the United States Embassy, Bogotá, Colombia. Specifically, here at Fort Sam Houston, we want to thank General Huber of United States Army South, General Gilman of the Brooke Army Medical Center, Colonel Martinson of Garrison, Fort Sam Houston, and their staffs, for the warm hospitality they’ve provided us and our families. The personal and professional concern they have taken in our well-being is deeply touching, and the reintegration process they are conducting on our behalf is worthwhile and important. We are all obviously eager to return home, but first we want to complete this entire process so we can return to our lives in the best physical and emotional shape possible.
We understand that a lot of people are eager to see and hear from us, and they will. But right now, more than anything, we just want to be with our loved ones. We ask that the media respect our privacy as we reunite with our families. Rest assured, we will respond to your questions in the near future.
Today, in the United States of America, it is the Fourth of July: the day when Americans everywhere celebrate our independence. We can’t think of a better time to thank our fellow citizens for never giving up on us, for never forgetting us, for always believing that we would, one day, return home to the country we love
From the three of us and from our families, Happy Fourth of July.”
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Courtesy U.S. Army South, Office of Public Affairs
