Each week we’ll take a step back into the history of Great Bend through the eyes of reporters past. We’ll reacquaint you with what went into creating the Great Bend of today, and do our best to update you on what “the rest of the story” turned out to be.

The Sunday, April 27, 1980 edition of The Great Bend Tribune included several Associated Press reports of the U.S. Marines’ failed attempt to rescue 52 Americans who had been held hostage by Iranian terrorists in Tehran for several months. 

According to those reports the rescue had been rehearsed in the Utah desert seven times prior to the real attempt. But, during the first and second phases of “Operation Eagle Claw,” three of the eight helicopters sent to extract the hostages experienced mechanical failures. It was determined six helicopters were the minimum number needed for a successful rescue. The commander of the rescue team recommended aborting the mission. Pentagon officials and President Jimmy Carter concurred. At least no one had been hurt, he was reported to have commented. 

“Half the world away, the field commander directed his men to leave the helicopters and climb aboard the C-130 planes (for transport out of Iran). As they did, the rotor of a helicopter which was flying 15 to 20 feet above the ground sliced into a C-130. Both exploded in flames. Ammunition aboard both crafts began exploding, spraying shrapnel. Only one man aboard the airplane could be rescued. Five were injured. Eight died. 

“The metal was too hot to permit recovery of the bodies.”

Carter went before the country hours later, at 7 a.m. EST. For weeks, he had bluffed, saying no military intervention would be attempted that would put the hostages in danger. Now, he told Americans, “This attempt became a necessity and a duty.” 

World leaders became involved in negotiating the return of the bodies of the Marines, which had to be left behind. They were successfully recovered by the Swiss ambassador in Iran later in the week. The terrorists split the hostages up and sent them to different locations around Tehran where they remained captive until January 20, 1981, the day of President Ronald Reagan’s inauguration.    

Once the hostages were released, they shared in detail how the failed attempt prompted torture by their captors. We won’t go into detail here, but if you are interested, we found this report at US News and World Report ( https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-01-21/from-the-archives-the-ordeal-of-iran-hostages-captivity ).

McHappy Day fundraising

The Tribune reported the names of the Marines that perished in Operation Eagle Claw. While the country as a whole mourned, there were no local losses. The 3i Show had just finished, and the weather was spring like. Enough so that people were eager to get out and enjoy some fun for a good cause. 

An organization called Ourselves and Our Families, the Coalition Against Child Abuse, organized a fundraiser featuring old-time activities including a pie-in-the-face throw and a dunk tank. We found photos of some of the volunteer victims, among them Kevin Sundahl, Mike Brown, Will Algiene and Dennis Rumbaugh. From the looks of it, fun was had by all. 

The advocacy organization may have changed its name over the past 40 years, but there is still a need. Today, Great Bend CASA and the Family Crisis Center are two that provide advocacy and services for children and families experiencing trauma and abuse. McHappy Day is still a thing. Today, a percentage of sales for the day go to fund Ronald McDonald House Charities. The date for McHappy Day 2020 in the United States was not yet available. 

Bison 1.0

The Brit Spaugh Zoo said goodbye this week to 10-year resident Ben, the bison. It’s a story as old as time. 

“After living for almost 10 years in the Brit Spaugh Zoo, Ben the bull buffalo left Monday when he was traded for a yearling heifer. The yearling, with the help of a bull yet to be obtained, will be the hub of a new breeding population of buffalo at the zoo. Clayton Mong, of rural Great Bend, furnished the heifer for the trade, and brought along a longhorn calf to keep the young buffalo company. Mong said the young buffalo are not comfortable alone and will run continuously, which is detrimental to their health. “Director of Public Lands, Jerry Tillery, said he hoped to have a yearling bull within the next couple of weeks.

“Ben’s mate, Gerta, died last winter. The decision was then made to begin with new stock because of Ben’s advanced age.”

Soon, Great Bend will have bison once more, with work on the new enclosure coming along at the zoo. We all look forward to the reopening of the zoo, which will hopefully happen in weeks, rather than months.

Just for fun

In 1980, there were two junior highs in Great Bend. This week, Roosevelt Junior High held its Spring dance, where a king and queen were chosen by their peers.  The photo of the popular pair appeared in the Tribune.  Trey Warnhoff and Mary Chism, crowned and Mary with a bouquet of flowers, were photographed dancing together with other formally dressed teens.  It was quite an elaborate affair compared to the dances held today in partnership with the Great Bend Rec.