Hostage's release the end of a nightmare, says brother
The brother of freed Canadian hostage James Loney said he's looking forward to having a meal, playing a game of cards and sitting across the kitchen table to simply look at his brother when they reunite.
- FROM MARCH 23, 2006: Military operation frees 2 Canadian hostages in Iraq
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| Jim Loney's brother, Ed Loney, and Ed's wife, Donna Laframboise in Vancouver on Thursday. |
Canadians James Loney, Harmeet Singh Sooden and Briton Norman Kember were freed in a morning raid north of Baghdad. They had been held for almost four months.
Ed Loney said he learned his brother had been freed when his father, Patrick Loney, called his Vancouver home at 1 a.m. local time.
James Loney's sister-in-law, Donna Laframboise, said she thought it was a hoax when she answered the phone, but quickly woke up Ed Loney.
- INDEPTH: Canadians held in Iraq: Timeline
James Loney will likely head home after a couple of days rest and reunite with the rest of his family in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., said Laframboise.
When asked what the family had planned for the reunion, Ed Loney said he didn't know because he's "only had one hour sleep to contemplate these issues."
"I imagine we'll have a meal, play cards, sit across the table and look at each other, listen to each other's stories and hold hands and give each other hugs," he said.
Laframboise said they were waiting for James to call them, but that he had spoken with his parents. He told them he was well and wanted to know about their health and what they had been doing the past few months.
"That's pretty typical of Jim, putting others before himself," said Ed Loney.
Ed Loney said although his brother has lost about 20 pounds, he sounded "fantastic" and told his family he was sorry about putting them through this situation.
"My mom said, 'Don't worry about it, just get home and we'll talk about all that stuff when you get here'," said Ed Loney.
The couple said James Loney's release is the end of a nightmarish time.
"We've been up and down so much in the last few months, it's been unbelievable, surreal," said Laframboise.
Soodens travelling to Baghdad
While the Loneys are getting ready to reunite with their brother in Ontario, Harmeet Singh Sooden's family said they're busy booking flights to Baghdad so they can celebrate his birthday on Friday.
Speaking from New Zealand, Sooden's father, Daleep Singh Sooden, said it was magical to speak with his son this morning.
"It's unbelievable. I just don't remember what I said to him or what he said to me," he said. "I've seen him on video and he looks like he lost 10 kilograms or something. It was magic today, it was good, good. I still can't believe it."
Sooden's brother-in-law Mark Brewer said it's important to remember the family of the fourth hostage, American Tom Fox, whose body was found two weeks ago.
"It was terrible and ... a little poignant for us because we realize he's not released," said Brewer. "Our hopes and prayers are with his family. Our thoughts are still there, but just over the moon that the other guys have been freed."
Born in Zambia, Sooden became a Canadian citizen after studying in Montreal. He later moved to Auckland, New Zealand.
Kember's family hasn't spoken publicly, but did release a statement asking their privacy be respected.
"We are very pleased that Norman and his friends are safe. We are grateful for all the support we have had from so many people since Norman was taken hostage. We also thank everyone who has worked so hard for him to be set free."
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