Out of captivity in Cuba, ex-prisoner breathes in freedom
WASHINGTON - An elated Alan Gross was mobbed by well-wishers after landing just outside Washington D.C.
A devout Jew, Gross later told reporters he felt blessed.
"Today is the first day of Hanukkah, and I guess so far it's the best Hanukkah that I'll be celebrating for a long time."
The former government contractor said he didn't believe it when his lawyer called yesterday to say his five-year ordeal was coming to an end.
But just before 9 a.m. Wednesday, the U.S. government plane carrying him and wife Judy crossed into American airspace, making him a free man.
"When we were gathered on the airplane, and we crossed into U.S. airspace, Alan gave a big hurrah, and put his hands up," said Maryland Democrat Chris Van Hollen, who was on board.
Gross thanked President Obama during a phone call on the plane, and later everyone who worked for his release.
"God bless you and thank you, it was crucial to my survival, knowing that I was not forgotten," said Gross.
Imprisoned in 2009, the Cuban government charged Gross for crimes against the Cuban state and sentenced him to 15 years. He had been distributing communications equipment as part of a program to promote democracy.
Gross' family feared that he would die in captivity. He'd lost 100 pounds, vision in his right eye and five of his front teeth.
The years behind bars gave him new clarity: "a judicious lesson that I've learned from this experience is that freedom is not free."
Gross' first words to his two daughters were "I'm free..." and he enjoyed that first taste of freedom with a favorite meal: popcorn, a corned beef sandwich on rye and potato latkes with sour cream.