In 1979 the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. A friend from Santa Fe snuck across the border from Pakistan to take pictures for Life Magazine, and was captured by the Soviets.
I was living in Arizona at the time and contacted my Senator (John McCain.) He took an immediate interest in the case and was instrumental in getting the release secured several months later.
Another friend from Los Alamos was the top American marathoner and a likely gold medal winner at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. He was denied the opportunity to win by Jimmy Carter – who forced the American athletes to not compete in the Olympics.
Carter was too busy handing Iran over to the pedophile Khomeni, and attempting to destroy the Western Slope of Colorado with oil shale development.