Kevin Hermening, now 66, recalls his time as a hostage in Iran during the 1979 crisis when he was one of the first 66 Americans taken by Iranian militants. Serving as a Sergeant Major in the Marine Corps at just 20 years of age, Hermening and his fellow troops attempted to thwart an assault on the U.S. embassy in Tehran using tear gas. Despite their efforts to protect sensitive materials and documents, they eventually surrendered after witnessing the brutal treatment of a State Department official.

During his captivity, Hermening endured severe torture, revealing that interrogators used horrifying methods, including pulling out his teeth with hoses. This accounts for the extreme psychological and physical ordeal that hostages faced. His recollections provide insight into the broader context of U.S.-Iran relations, significantly influenced by these events that continue to resonate in modern politics and diplomatic discussions.

Now, as Hermening runs for a congressional seat, his firsthand account of the Iranian hostage crisis sheds light on the realities of terrorism and violence of state actors. His experiences not only shape his political stance but also serve as a stark reminder of the lasting impacts of geopolitical conflicts on individuals and their families.