As journalists engaging in the act of going out into the world to tell a story, the recent release and extraction from Russian imprisonment of the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich brings a sigh of relief for the family, the nation as well as all those who believe in the essence of the freedom of the press and its vitality to a healthier world. 

Imagining yourself in prison for just doing their job is a scary thought, compiling that unscrupulous position with being overseas is just plain terrifying. However, we got them home safe and sound with their loved ones thanks to the work of so many leaders within the United States Government who were involved with the bringing home of three Americans from captivity, including President Biden and Vice President Harris who greeted them on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland as they arrived late into the night on Thursday.

With so much news pouring in from across the globe highlighting the horrors of war and other tales of woe, this story once again reinforces the solidity of what we have here back in the States. Under our Constitution and Bill of Rights, the people of this nation are given the right to their words that erupt from their tongues or their fingers – elaborating language that is crafted out of passion and the unquenchable thirst for truth. 

Joining Gershkovich in returning home were fellow journalists Alsu Kurmasheva and Vladimir Kara-Murza and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. We are grateful for their healthy, safe and recent freedom as well. These warriors of the pen and of the sword deserved nothing less than to return home to the reception of open arms.

As the future presses ever-onward, it is with hope in this historic prisoner swap that peace with Russia and across the globe is possible. Diplomacy and systemic peace is possible between any and all nations, if given the ability to.