All photos: The Carter Center/D. Hakes
After seven months imprisoned in North Korea, American teacher Aijalon Gomes was reunited with his family this afternoon at Boston Logan Airport. The Carter Center delegation’s plane landed at 2 p.m. today. President Carter embarked last Tuesday on a humanitarian mission to obtain Gomes’ release after he was arrested last January and subsequently sentenced to eight years of hard labor and fined about $600,000. After two days of talks, President Carter and other delegates from The Carter Center left Pyongyang Friday morning to accompany Mr. Gomes for the flight home.
Aijalon Gomes is embraced by his family upon arrival in Boston Aug. 27. Read the Gomes family statement >
Read Statement from The Carter Center on President Carter’s Mission to North Korea >>
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kathyerskine on August 27, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Well done! It’s heartening to see such positive news. Thanks for you service.
Janice on August 27, 2010 at 5:31 pm
President Carter continues to serve the world with his humanitarian efforts. He is a true gem! Thank you for all the good that you do.
Steven Kale on August 27, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Thanks to President Carter and The Carter Center for their continued work for humanitarian causes. The examples he sets serves humanity as its best possible answer. There is no person alive that walks-his-talk like Jimmy Carter !!!
Rowland Selame on August 27, 2010 at 5:38 pm
President Carter is a true American Heroe.
Henry Coleman on August 27, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Dear Pres. Carter,
Thank you for all of the outstanding services you and your wife have done for us. This trip to save a fellow American reminds us that and act of kindness can bring joy to the hearts of all. You make us proud to members of the human race.
Marie R.B on August 27, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Dear Mr. President:
Thank you for your act of kindness towards a fellow American, thank you for bringing him home to his family and saving him from eight years of hard labor. We have not had to many thing to be graceful for these last month but this is not one of the. You and your wife have always been generous and kind to your fellow America Thanks from my heart to your Love
Marie Russell-Barker
Susan Purcell on August 27, 2010 at 5:50 pm
Carter for president!
J.P. Mosoff on August 27, 2010 at 5:51 pm
This is just a wonderful story and lifts my spirits! There aren’t words to convey the gratitude and pride that I feel for President Carter’s spectacular achievements! As an American citizen I am in awe as I witness his compassion and subsequent success.
From all my heart “Thank You” Mr. Carter.
Sincerely,
Phillip Mosoff
Irene & Ken Batchelor on August 27, 2010 at 5:53 pm
As we have said before, you are and always will be “our President”, President Carter. What an example you set in all that you do. God bless you.
JR Slama on August 27, 2010 at 5:53 pm
YEAH, Jimmy!! You are the model for all of us who only want peace!
JR Slama
Moss Creek Farm on August 27, 2010 at 5:57 pm
President Carter – you are and always will be the perfect image of peace – and my only hero.
Thank you, Sir.
Judy Carter on August 27, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Thank you President Carter for another act of humanitarian heroism. You continue to show us (americans) examples of how to help others and give of ourselves.
Carmen Buford-Paige, Ph.D. on August 27, 2010 at 5:59 pm
This is just one more example of the wonderful things that President Carter has done since leaving the White House. He continues to be the greatest American of my lifetime (I am 78 years old), always doing the next right thing. This was not a high-profile case, meaning that the media did not pay much attention to it. But President Carter, and the Carter Center, did what was necessary to free an American, who happened to be African-American, and get him back to his family. They were not concerned with how things would “play” in the media, and the fact that the leader of North Korea may have “snubbed” him did not matter. He got the job done. As one ordinary American, who happens to be Black, I am eternally grateful to you, Mr. Carter.
M. Mihm on August 27, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Dear President Carter,
You continue to make me proud and joyful that I voted for you and still support you. Thank you to you and The Carter Center for your courage and your devotion to reconciliation in a fractured world.
Blessings,
M. Mihm
Merciful Lee Dickens on August 27, 2010 at 6:12 pm
God bless you, President Carter!
I love you.
Charlotte Scot on August 27, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Thank you … once again… for all you have done and all you continue to do.
Kristen Degurse on August 27, 2010 at 6:22 pm
I have great admiration for you, President Carter. Mrs. Carter is my favorite First lady and always will be. Not anyone or anything will change my mind about you.
Linda M. Willson on August 27, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Thank you again, President Carter, for another heroic humanitarian effort that brought tears to my eyes. I have followed closely all the wonderful work the Carter Center has done throughout the world. At a time in history, when most of the news in the media is disheartening or even horrifying, I know I can count on you and the Carter Center to do the difficult things no one else seems willing or able to do. I congratulate you, Mr. President, and I am so proud of you! Linda Willson
Ramey Channell on August 27, 2010 at 6:29 pm
President Carter, There are no words to express my gratitude and admiration for your act of courage, determination and kindness. So glad to see this young American home with his family.
Tom Vitale on August 27, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Thank you President Carter for all you do. You were a great President and you are a great humanitarian. Thank you Mrs. Carter for all you do. Thank you, also, to all the staff of the Carter Center and all who helped you in this mission to recover Mr. Gomes and bring him back to hs family.
Tom Vitale on August 27, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Thank you Mrs. Carter for all you do. You were a great First Lady and you are a great humanitarian.
Louise Gomer Bangel on August 27, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Thank you, President Carter. You truly are a peacemaker and a wonderful role model for all of our young people!
Carmen W, Goodhue on August 27, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Dear President and Mrs Carter:
I have always followed and support your travels and work for the betterment of humanity, regardless of race, color of the skin ,gender, etc. We are all different, but all members of humankind. God give you healthh, so you can continue your good work.
No 1 admirer,
Carmen W. Goodhue
California
Milena Fiore on August 27, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Dear Mr. President,
You continue to be my hero and the living example of a life lived with integrity and grace, and incredible power. Would that the rest of the US take in what you are doing and who you are, particularly these days when mean, violent, disrespectful actions are the “way it is.”
Laurie M. on August 27, 2010 at 7:02 pm
This is wonderful news! Blessed are the peacemakers….
Paul Haider on August 27, 2010 at 7:17 pm
President Carter, you are one of my personal heroes, and this recent act of courage and heroism is another example of your fine character. Thank you, President Carter, for demonstrating to all Americans how a real Christian is supposed to behave. You are a peacemaker and a real gentleman; Ronald Reagan could never hold a candle to you. Thank you again for being our greatest ex-President.
Paul Haider, Chicago
Tedy Sutedja on August 27, 2010 at 7:18 pm
God bless you abundantly Mr. President….
Charles A. Shackelford on August 27, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Dear Mr. President,
Your good deeds and legacy of humanitarian and diplomatic achievement will long outlive those of any of your peers. Your stunning diplomacy and integrity is to be cherished in a time where there is little of which to be spoken in our political and business arenas. I feel fortunate to have lived in your time, and even though I have achieved little of what I had once dreamt, you remain an inspiration for me in the hope that I may contribute to the realm of bettering our society and the societies of the earth, the ecological health of our shared planet and our shared humanity.
Sheila Morris on August 27, 2010 at 7:24 pm
President Carter is awesome and awe-inspiring! His courage, compassion and commitment to help those in need is cause for celebration today. I salute him for what he has done and continues to do to selflessly work for a greater good. He doesn’t need a microphone or to stand where Dr. King stood 28 years ago to proclaim his dream. President Carter embodies that dream every day. I am grateful for him and for the ongoing work of The Carter Center.
Sheila Morris
South Carolina and Texas
Gail Forrest on August 27, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Dear Mr. President,
This story brought tears to my eyes. You are a true hero. Unless history is rewritten by bigots, you will be known as a true Christian following the commandments set down by God. I am honored to know you as my brother in Christ. May God give you a long healthy life, one able to continue with humanitarian efforts. If I never meet you here, I will meet you in heaven.
Your Sister Gail Forrest
Edrie Irvine on August 27, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Thank you, President Carter. For showing the world the better side of America, for helping Mr. Gomes return home, for continuing to be the wonderful humanitarian we know and love.
Jeanne Baggs on August 27, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Thank you President Carter and all members of the center assisting in this effort – you have shown once again the power of love in the world. It’s an honor to be a supporter of The Carter Center.
Aisha Robertson on August 27, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Dear President Carter,
Wonderful job! You and Mrs. Carter have always practiced what you preached.
Thank you for all your hard work towards human rights.
Aisha Robertson
John B. on August 27, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Way to go, Jimmy, Way to go.
Sujin Hwang on August 27, 2010 at 8:18 pm
Dear President Carter,
I am a Korean in Republic of Korea.
Let me begin by appreciating your favorable consideration my contry. You are my hero, always. And I can never thank you enough for the wonderful humanism you have given us. Thank you!
Marleta Crim on August 27, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Jimmy Carter,
You are truly a compassionate, great man. I am inspired by your kindness and giving.
Dea.Raymond E. Johns on August 27, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Jimmy is the man,if Jimmy can’t do it,nobody else can.–This is what love in action is all about.if I had to give true color,a color.it would be–’red’–”The Blood Of The Lamb”.Jimmy,you are a Ace of heart.may God bless you on in.
Maxine Jensen on August 27, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Dear President Carter,
You are the greatest/ When I voted for you, I thought you were the nicest man as you were for the common person.I also remembered that you wore Jeans in the white house sometimes. That’s my kind of an ordinary human being. Bless you and Rosalyn. I will continue to support the Habitat for Humanity .
Uttam Paudel on August 27, 2010 at 9:29 pm
We love you Mr President!!!
Thank you for your untiring efforts to make this World better!!!
Frances Martin on August 27, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Dear President Carter,
With deep gratitude for Americans like you and Mrs. Carter!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for your works of justice, mercy and compassion.
Mary F. Johnson on August 27, 2010 at 9:35 pm
President Carter,
Thank you for the time, you have spwnt getting our american brother back on our rich soil. I was so touched because you prove over and over that you care for the american people. I salute you and you deserve every humanity award that can be awarded to a person of your caliber. Thanks and may God eternally bless you and yours. Hello to your family and thanks to them for the support thet give to you. You will always be my President along with President Obama. The two of you are so much alike, YOU CARE!
Caroline Good on August 27, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Carter,
You’ve always been such terrific supporters of the people, which has made me admire you. It always makes me so mad when often people ask you, whether you think you’ve been better after your presidency.
You were an excellent president, it is just that I believe you were “swift boated” long before the maneuver was recognized. You were well ahead of your time in putting solar panels on the White House, where they were taken down by your successor. How I wish that the country had embraced your warnings about oil and clean energy back then! I’m not religious, but you have shown what a real Christian is. You and Mrs. Carter are true American patriots, true friends to all the world’s people.
Much appreciation and thanks for getting Aijalon Gomes home to his family. I’m sure he will return the favor by being a great citizen.
Long may you run Sir.
Suzan on August 27, 2010 at 9:39 pm
In my life i have voted for two presidents, Jimmy Carter and Barrack Obama, because I could see their hearts.
Susan Myers on August 27, 2010 at 11:03 pm
You are my hero! Accolades to one of this centurys finest Americans. I’m glad to have you working for peace in this world – I have hope it will happen. God Bless you and Rosalyn.
Andy Andre on August 27, 2010 at 11:05 pm
Carter has always been one of the greatest people in the world, and my favorite President; too bad that too many Americans can not appreciate that. It will be a day when one of Republican presidents does any of the world peace, or humanitarian things that Carter has done before or after the presidency. The world needs many more people like him!
Ed Kleckner on August 27, 2010 at 11:31 pm
This is why you are our most beloved President! You are always thinking about the welfare of others, and in doing so you are reflecting the love of our Lord for us. This is why I support the work of the Carter Center and its’ humanitarian mission. You lead by example. Your decency and compassion continue to be an inspiration to me personally in my own international work… and to all Americans who want to make this a better world. Thank you!
Ed Kleckner
Polly Stanbridge on August 28, 2010 at 12:27 am
Dear President Carter, I always have great expectations of you, and you always seem to accomplish them! The release of Mr. Gomes is thrilling news, and very remarkable that it has happened. I will always consider you and Mrs. Carter and your wonderful staff the representatives of heroism! Stay well, and my love to all your family. Polly Stanbridge
Adv. Muhammed Shamsuddin on August 28, 2010 at 5:24 am
Thank you Mr President Carter, you have done a unique job, you are the great. I hope you will look for & do your best efforts for Palestinians.
Norman Gadger on August 28, 2010 at 5:44 am
Well done Mr. President. Thank you for all you have done and all you continue to do.
Andy Cardenas on August 28, 2010 at 5:49 am
President Carter you are the greatest! It is a crying shame that subsequent Presidents have not followed in your footsteps.
JoAnne Deitch on August 28, 2010 at 6:29 am
Thanks for another terrific humanitarian effort. Who says diplomacy can’t work?
Jinny Lee on August 28, 2010 at 6:44 am
President Carter continues to honor this nation.
Derek Brown on August 28, 2010 at 7:52 am
Dear President Carter,
Thank God the world has you.
Sincerely,
Derek Brown
University of South Carolina
College of Social Work
Paul Haider on August 28, 2010 at 8:10 am
Dear President Carter,
I failed to mention in my previous post that you are an example of humanitarianism as its finest. Before I die, I will make a pilgrimage to Plains, GA as well as to the Carter Center in Atlanta. Thank you again for being one of our greatest American heroes; you are a profile in courage.
Paul Haider, Chicago
Dave Stallard on August 28, 2010 at 10:09 am
Thank you President & Mrs. Carter. Thanks to the many participants and supporters of The Carter Center without whom the marvelous work for global peace would not be possible.
Beverly Webb on August 28, 2010 at 10:16 am
Thank you President Carter for yet another great humanitarian service. We have are so greatful for your services over these many years.
Beverly Webb, Sartell, MN.
george Irving on August 28, 2010 at 10:45 am
President Carter continues to spread love and happiness. Thank you.
Magda Ghobrial on August 28, 2010 at 11:53 am
Seeing you make this huge voyage through hostile territory to save a man helped me put things into perspective. You’r still my hero Mr. president.
Thank you for always going the extra mile and trying your best!
Magda Ghobrial
Florence on August 28, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Dear President Carter,
You are a shining light, a testimony of selflessness and of love for mankind.
You have made the world a better place for the needy and the downtrodden. God bless you!
Juan Edgar Picado on August 28, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Dear President Carter:
It´s amazying to realize how expedite and effective was conducted this incredible event of liberating Mr. Gomes. There are ways in which many of us try to serve others, but there are qualities of serving others…the way you serve others, President Carter, is absolutely exemplary. My congratulations and unconditional support for another exemplary service of you to mankind !
Your friend and supporter of always,
Juan Edgar Picado Jr.
San José, Costa Rica
Linda Webster on August 28, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Dear President Carter. It gives me hope to know there are good folks like you in the world. You and Rosalyn are just amazing workers for peace. Thanks for all you have done.
Fran on August 28, 2010 at 2:38 pm
I am proud of our former President Carter. He is working for Peace and Justice.
carolyn taylor on August 28, 2010 at 2:40 pm
“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the childred of God.” Dear President Carter, you and Mrs.Carter have heard the words of Jesus and obeyed them. Thank you.
Timmie Reilly on August 28, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Jimmy Carter has given Humanitarianism a whole new meaning. I wish we could clone a million of him.
Timmie Reilly
Trong-Bich Ho on August 28, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Dear Mr. Carter: your counless kind acts toward others speak it all. Thank you for your being in this world.
TH Hector on August 28, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Dear Mr. President,
Thank you for your unwavering honesty,support and commitment to demonstrating true examples of what it means to be a patriotic american.You and yours have shown immeasurable devotion to mankind, worldwide.
Kath Alexander on August 28, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Well done, President Carter! Your unwavering dedication to humanitarianism in an inhumane world is sincerely appreciated – the Lord will certainly bless your noble soul accordingly! We love you! Kath and Jim Alexander, Poulsbo, Wa.
Patrick Guinn on August 28, 2010 at 9:55 pm
We ♥ Love You President Carter. You give Earth hope and direction. You show how the petty differences of humans will not stop the furthering of what You have started. This work of those You lead will result in peace, tranquility, unity, and health for all forms of life on this sphere, & for the sphere itself.
Adv. Muhammed Shamsuddin on August 29, 2010 at 5:59 am
Thanks again
Nic Peeters on August 29, 2010 at 10:48 am
Well done Sir! Keep up the good work.
Shahrokh Mafi on August 29, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Dear President Carter:
Your compassionate gesture for the release of Mr. Aijalon Gomes from eight years of imprisonment with hard labor in North Korea that took you to Pyongyang is indeed a benevolent act which could only be undertaken by few great men in our time. Such great an undertaking brings tears of gratitude to everyone eyes.
I humbly submit these few lines to pray on this Sunday morning for your good health and long life. God loves President Jimmy Carter and Mrs. Rosalynne Carter.
Very respectfully yours
Shahrokh Mafi
Eugene Lee McCord Atlanta on August 29, 2010 at 1:41 pm
As always, President Carter does what is required through quiet and definate objectives. That simple. He waits as God places the proper order. God Bless and God Bless America.
Eugene Unachukwu on August 29, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Waging Peace indeed.
Rev. James Roy on August 30, 2010 at 9:17 am
Wonderful! Wonderful! Job pres.Carter you have done. praise the Lord.May our gracious God use you more and more to bring peace to each and every corner of this un rest world.
God bless you, God bless America.
Debra Cameron on August 30, 2010 at 10:09 am
President Carter you are a genuine humanitarian. THANK YOU for all you have done and do.
Lucille Fritsch on August 30, 2010 at 10:18 am
Dear Mr. President,
Thumbs up for a great job of human compassion and care. You are a role model of a true Christian. Keep doing all the good that you and Rosalyn do throughout the world.
jonathan c nwanze on August 30, 2010 at 1:55 pm
I pray God almighty to bless president and mrs carter and all the members of carter center and their families with devine health and long life to continue their humanitarian job to the human race. I am humbled and inspired by this gesture.
jonathan c nwanze on August 30, 2010 at 1:58 pm
This is waging peace indeed.
samir and nora farra on August 30, 2010 at 7:18 pm
At a time when the American people are pre-occupied with unproductive news about the mosque in New York and the mall gathering in DC and other events that divide us as Americans, president and Mrs Carter honor the American spirit of justice and human rights to all Americans by sacrificing their comfort and time in order to preserve the dignity and freedom of Mr.Aijalon and therefore uniting us again as proud Americans.
Babatunde Abdullah on September 1, 2010 at 12:37 pm
It’s a blessing from the Creator for men like you
and your wife. You and your wife are true christians
and just good people. And may the Creator forever bless the both of you.
Tolu A. on September 6, 2010 at 2:16 pm
As always. You are an inspiration. The Yoruba people say to the elders among us, “E ma pe fun wa.” which means, “May you live long for our sakes” President and Mrs Carter, for the sake of humanity, “E ma pe fun wa.” To the good folks at the Carter Centre “Well Done”.
Autherine B. Smith on September 7, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Thank you, President Carter. In the words of Albert Einstein “Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.” You sir are truly a Great Spirit. Professor Autherine B. Smith