Ex-Hostage Hears From President

Former Iraqi hostage Roy Hallums, rescued by U.S. forces after 10 months of captivity, most of it in a dark underground cell, has received a call from the White House.

Hallums, who shared his story with 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl in a report that aired Sunday, says the president welcomed him home and said he had been concerned about him and had followed his case. Finally, Hallums says, the president told him "to hang in there."

Hallums says he received a message from the White House shortly before the broadcast, but did not return the call until Monday morning. And then the president called promptly.

After airing the story Sunday night, 60 Minutes got a lot of viewer letters, many of which contained comments on Roy Hallums' bravery.

He was rescued Sept. 7 by coalition forces after having been blindfolded, bound and hidden in an concrete cell outside Baghdad for 10 months.

A number of viewers wrote about Lesley Stahl's

"I am thoroughly disgusted and disappointed that NOBODY in our Government has acknowledged this man's tragic experience, a man who gave over 20 years of his life to his Country and spent the last 10 months living in total darkness, fearing for his life."
Andrea Grimm

"Why does Ms. Stahl think (The President) has time, with two hurricanes, a war, economy, etc. To call a man who was rescued. No one forced the man to go to Iraq."
Nolan Clindard

"The Roy Hallums story was a truly heartrending piece about the horror of being taken hostage and the redemption of being rescued. Too bad Lesley Stahl just had to throw in that question about (whether)the President or some high ranking government figure called him on the phone."
Glen Hensley

"It was appalling to have Ms. Stahl ask Mr. Hallum if the President or Senator or others called him upon his return. He should be calling them -- to thank them for sending in our military troops to rescue him."
Lois Ponikvar