Former fellow hostages, family members, and colleagues gathered to honor the life of journalist and philanthropist Terry Anderson on Wednesday. They remembered him as a man who not only faced his own challenges but also reached out to help others.
Anderson, who worked as a news correspondent, became a subject of news himself when he was taken hostage by an Islamic extremist group in Lebanon in 1985. At that time, he was serving as the chief Middle East correspondent for The Associated Press.
He was held captive for 2,454 days, making him one of the longest-held hostages in U.S. history. During his captivity, his wife was six months pregnant with their future daughter.
Terry Anderson hugs Jim Abrams (Via Noble Solomon/Shutterstock)
Anderson passed away on April 21 at his home in Greenwood Lake, New York. His memorial service, streamed on YouTube by the Overseas Press Club, reflected on his life and contributions.
At the memorial, former hostages who had been imprisoned alongside Anderson shared anecdotes. They recalled his thirst for knowledge and intellectual engagement, often engaging them in discussions about current events, the histories of their respective countries, and literature.
Brian Keenan, originally from Belfast, Ireland, who was abducted while teaching English in Beirut and held captive with Anderson, recounted how Anderson would persistently inquire and discuss various topics with them. He described Anderson’s relentless pursuit of information as something that continued for weeks until they had shared all they knew.
