It’s an indescribable joy to be able to share in good news . . . especially when it involves the release of prisoners being unjustly held as hostages to a political cause not of their making.

And today, of course, we celebrate the return of the 20 surviving Israelis taken hostage two years ago in the raid by Hamas forces on Israel, and of the nearly 2,000 Palestinians held prisoner in retribution since that day.

Without belaboring the political issues, I would simply like to offer my congratulations to all of the returnees and their families, and my hopes for even greater progress toward a lasting peace in the region.

Welcome home, one and all.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
10/13/25