Rodney “Rocky” Sickmann is devoutly religious.
So religious in fact that before he left home for the challenges of Marine Corps bootcamp, his mother gave him a simple message: “Make sure you pray, because someday you’re going to need that.”
No kidding.
On Nov. 4, 1979, while working as a guard at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran, Sickmann became one of 66 American hostages captured by Iranian revolutionaries. Sickmann, a staff sergeant, would be held captive for 444 days in what became known as the Iran Hostage Crisis. His strong faith would be tested like never before.
The Marine Corps veteran shared his emotional story at a prayer service to honor Veterans Day on Nov. 7 at Assumption School in O’Fallon, Missouri. Sickmann, an Assumption parishioner, has two grandchildren.
Sickmann was raised in nearby Krakow with his four siblings. The family attended mass regularly at St. Gertrude Parish, and he told students his parents taught him to love God, family, and your country.
Sickmann was just 22 years old when he was kidnapped by the Iranians. Fourteen hostages were released a few weeks later, but Sickmann was among the 52 captives held until the crisis ended in late January 1981.
In the 14 months he was held prisoner, Sickmann said he was allowed only seven minutes of time outside.
“What does freedom mean to you?” he asked the students. “How many of you like to play outside?”
Almost every student raised their hand, letting the message sink in – freedom can be taken for granted.
Coming Home…Finally
When Thanksgiving 1979 rolled around, most families in the U.S. were sitting down to enjoy a hearty meal and time with loved ones. But for Sickmann, this Thanksgiving was drastically different. Tied to a chair, he tried to focus on pleasant thoughts of pumpkin pie and turkey. He kept praying, hoping to somehow find a way to survive and spend the next Thanksgiving surrounded by family.
That day would finally come when the hostages were released and Sickmann, still blindfolded, felt the crunch of snow underneath his feet as he walked to the airplane that would take him home. After a stop in Germany, he boarded another flight and landed in St. Louis on Jan. 28, 1981. More than 4,000 Americans welcomed him home.
During his 14 months in captivity, Sickmann’s hometown parish kept thinking of him, holding special masses and Sunday morning rosary prayers. The day he was released, churches rang bells at noon, and the St. Louis Cathedral held a special mass of thanksgiving. After President Jimmy Carter announced a deal had been made to release the hostages, Father Bernard Wilkins, a pastor at St. Gertrude, conducted mass at the Sickmann family home.
Thinking of Those Who Died
Sickmann was pleasantly taken aback by the heartfelt welcome home. He remembered Vietnam War veterans who didn’t receive the same honor upon returning to the U.S. several years earlier.
Completely cut off from the news for more than a year, Sickmann also found out about eight soldiers from a Joint Operations Group that were killed trying to rescue the hostages in the spring of 1980.
“I can tell you, every morning I wake up and I think of these veterans that gave their life trying to regain my freedom,” he said.
Sickmann reunited with his girlfriend, Jill, and the couple was married a few months later. They recently celebrated 44 years of marriage. The veteran enjoyed a lengthy career at Anheuser-Busch and, these days, pours his energy into Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that awards scholarships to children of deceased or disabled veterans and EMTs.
He asked students to take time and talk to veterans if they see them wearing military service caps or jackets. Sickmann also encouraged veterans to tell their stories.
“They have to share their story with all the children, so they hear what they have done to help provide us the freedom that we enjoy each and every day, including freedom of religion,” he said. “So, I’m honored to be here to be able to do that, especially with my grandchildren. I never thought, 46 years ago when I was taken hostage, fast forward, I would be sitting here speaking to my grandchildren in a grade school. It’s pretty powerful.”
Importance of Veterans Day
Sickmann’s daughter, Chelsea Frese, learned of her father’s traumatic ordeal in Iran as a second grader. Growing up, it made Veterans Day carry a bit more significance in the Sickmann household. Fast forward decades later and her father’s story has come full circle to include her own children.
“Love of country and love of God always went hand-in-hand in our household growing up,” Frese said.
Sickmann reminded his daughter regularly that when times were at their worst during his captivity, he relied on faith to pull him through.
“You think you’re having a bad day and call him, and he reminds you right away that, you know, what you’re experiencing today is nothing like having three guns to your head,” she said. “So, he’s always reminded us to be true in our faith and trust in God.”
Woodson, one of Sickmann’s grandkids, said his grandpa is “a really big deal.”
Granddaughter Rooney said people should take a moment to thank veterans for their service.
“They help protect the world and help keep us safe,” she said.
