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Went to Embassy Residence and Saw Movie.
Went to embassy residence in evening to see movie. After movie was told by Charge' that Consular Section was to be closed the next day so that the front could be repainted where demonstrators had painted slogans. I was surprised to receive this news as I had not heard about it elsewhere. -
Day of Capture
Not sure if I should go to work because of what the Consul General said yesterday. Later said to go upstairs for our safety, heard that mob was coming in. Saw Consul General locking up visa stamping machines, and removing visas. Later captured and had hands tied and was blindfolded. Was told by the students that they didn't hate Americans, they just hated US Government, Carter, etc. -
Period: to
Robert C Ode
The timeline of Robert C. Ode. He was a normal American Hostage during the time of the IRAN Hostage Crisis. He kept a diary, and the dates are all approximated. -
Moved from Residence living room to dining room
I was moved from the Residence living room to the dining room, I was not permitted to talk to the other hostages, and was forced to face the wall, but after several protests, (because I was uncomfortable,) they finally turned me around and let me sit at the table. -
Moved to Mushroom Inn - Surrendered Personal Belongings
I was forced to surrender my personal belongings for 'Security Purposes'. They took 1 gold band wedding ring, 1 gold cameo ring, 1 timex wrist watch, 1 ball point pen with 'American President Lines' insignia, 1 Pocket Comb in Florentine Leather Case, 1 set of apartment and luggage keys, and 1 brown imitation leather notebook. -
Moved to Ambassador's bedroom in Residence
I was moved to Ambassador's bedroom in Residence, but was still not allowed to talk to other hostages. Since the bathroom was an adjoining room with the bedroom, it was not required to be blindfolded, but you had to request permission anyway. -
Moved to private residence in Northern part of Iran
I was moved to a private residence in the Northern part of Iran, and it was much more comfortable here. Got a bed with matress, heater, pillow sheets, and chess board. I taught Dave, a friend, how to play. There were no guards watching our room, so we were free to turn the lights out at night time. The bathrooms, as usual, were filthy. -
Moved back to Embassy Residence
I was moved back to the Ambassador Residence in his study, (next to the bedroom) and I saw that the Ambassador's bathroom was much filthier than before! Now, we were guarded day and night, and we never got to turn the light off to go to sleep. Hands were tied behind our back day and night, unless we had to go to the bathroom, or eat. -
Moved back to bedroom of Embassy Residence
I was moved back to the bedroom of Embassy Residence, and then I was given an opportunity for 15 minutes exercise. -
First Outdoor Exercise - Recieved First Mail
My 41st Day of Captivity! Was told I can send letters as often as I pleased. Couldn't leep any recieved letters in my possession, though. -
Wedding Ring Returned to Me (43rd Day)
While I was exercising outdoors, I asked one of the guards, whom appeared to be one of the 'leaders' of the students, if I could have my wedding ring and my cameo ring returned to me. One of the students held up a ring, and asked if it was mine, but since I didn't have my glasses on, I couldn't tell if it was mine, but after he read the inscription on it, I recognized that it was mine, and I was so grateful to have it back on my finger again! But I still didn't get my cameo ring back. -
Christmas services and cards
An Iranian female student came into my room and held up a blank Christmas card, asking me if I wanted to send my family a note. Since I knew they would get it long after Christmas, I declined. Later, I was told the priests would come and conduct services, and bring the cards to the US for mailing. I then wrote a short letter to my family. -
Wrote letters to Washington Post, President, Secretary of State, Senator Warner, & Congressman Fisher
I wrote letters back to people in the US to let them know how I was doing. I just didn't think that they would get past the censors, but I wrote them anyway. I also wrote a 5-page letter to protest about how they were treating us, and our humanely rights. -
Moved to basement of Chancery
Still not permitted to converse with each other. New roommate, Barry Rosen. Our hands were no longer tied behind our backs, and we got a good view of outside since the drapes were open. Just trees though. Still a 24-hour guard and a 24-hour candlelight going. -
New Year's Eve
(New Year's Eve)--We explained to some of the guards about our New Year's Eve celebrations at home so in observance they gave us a little extra treat of canned fruit cocktail, some mixed nuts, and Kraft caramels. -
Returned Jewelry
During the first few days of January, some of my jewelry that I had to hand over for 'security purposes' the first day of captivity, was returned to me! -
Found out we could write more letters
In January we were permitted to write only three words each week of 200 words each. After protesting this, we were told that as of February 1, those in our room could write four letters per week of 200 words each. However, on February 1, we were told we could write "special" letters of any length to anyone we wished with suggestions as to how this matter could be settled. I wrote only to my wife with my usual suggestion, that is, that the students should release us for their actions. -
Recieved letter from my wife dated Jan. 17 telling me how she remained home alone all Christmas Eve awaiting an expected call from me that never came. I knew nothing about the call.
I recieved a note from my wife dated January 17 telling me how devastated she was on Christmas Eve because she had been informed that I would be telephoning her, but that my call never came! Of course, I knew nothing about it and when I inquired I was told the "some" hostages had been permitted to call their families but that this was done on a "selective basis" and that I was not one of them. -
Night of "Gestapo" type raid
Was attacked, then the guards told us to lean against the wall for a 'security exam' sort of thing. Later told me to strip, including my underwear briefs. When I arrived in my room, I realized that our room had been ransacked, and my special ointment for my spine was taken from me. I was grateful that I still had letters from my family at home. Some other hostages had photos of their family taken away from their possession. -
Wrote letters hoping to send them to the US
Again, on February 10 we were told we could write as many letters as we wished on that day as our mail is being taken to the US by summer Iranian and would be mailed there. I believe all of our letters from February 1 through approximately February 15 were taken to the US for mailing. On February 10 Bruce German was moved from our room to another room, apparently because the letter he had written on February 1 was not of the tone that pleased the students. I found that my letter wasn't mailed! -
Had to surrender shoes and get "flip flops"
While still in our basement room we had to surrender our shoes for some unknown reason and were issued plastic "flip flops" such as Iranians use to removed easily when entering mosques. -
Again shown another program of the TV "ChiPs" series.
Again shown another program of the TV "ChiPs" series. -
Had a cold shower in a filthy bathroom at the warehouse.
Had a cold shower in a filthy bathroom at the warehouse. It was an overcast, rainy day so had no outdoor exercise except for a short waiting period before the shower. -
Finally recieved mail from my sister!
Recieved some mail and finally recieved a letter from my sister, the first one since hers dated December 6, 1979! Four months! I had been consistently asking and inquiring as to why I was not receiving mail from her, as I was receiving mail from my brother and my wife, as well as from nieces and nephews who also live in Michigan where my sister does, but was also told that no letters had arrived from her. I couldn't believe this, but could find no explanation to fit the problem. -
Beautiful day. Washed off and cleaned up.
Beautiful sunny day. We had another shower, this time a warm one in the Embassy. Bathrooms still filthy. Also had an opportunity to stand in the warm sunshine for about 20 minutes before taking our showers. The usual procedure, however, of having to be blindfolded, then put in a car with sheets over our head and driven over to the residence. I wonder when, or if, this silly procedure will ever cease. Shaved off my goatee-the second one I had grown.
