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Family of captured Fort Rich soldier pleads for his release

by Channel 2 News staff and The Associated Press
Saturday, December 26, 2009

BOISE, Idaho -- The family of a Fort Richardson soldier captured in eastern Afghanistan is pleading for the release of their son, shown in a video the Taliban released on Christmas Day, and urging him to "stay strong."

Lt. Col. Tim Marsano of the Idaho National Guard issued a statement Friday from the family of Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl, an airborne infantryman who was taken by the Taliban in Paktika province in June when he reportedly wandered from his camp.

In their statement, the family is urging the captors "to let our only son come home."

And to their son, the family says, "We love you and we believe in you. Stay strong."

The video's release Friday was the first time Bergdahl, who is the only known American serviceman in captivity, had been heard from since the Taliban claimed his capture in a video six months ago.

Marsano met with the family Friday morning at their home outside Hailey, Idaho.

NATO confirmed that the man in the video is Bergdahl, but says the video is not evidence that he is still alive.

A spokesperson tells the New York Times that the video could be made from clips from earlier this year.

In the video Bergdahl is shown seated, facing the camera, wearing sunglasses and what appears to be a U.S. military helmet and uniform. A caption below the man speaking says "War prisoner: Bowe Robert Bergdahl." Bergdahl looks well and speaks clearly.

On one side of the image it says: "An American soldier imprisoned by the Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan."

Bergdahl's home town is still very hopeful for his safe return.

"They're doing as best as they can under the circumstances, this coming out at Christmas time and the limited information that they have," said Hailey, Idaho Sheriff Walt Femling.

Bergdahl joined the Army in 2008 and was deployed to Afghanistan last February.