Today we give thanks for all who have sacrificed to keep America free. We are eternally grateful and will always honor them by keeping their memory alive. May God Bless all who have served our Nation in the United States Armed Forces.

“CIA director nominee John Brennan sent a powerful message on Thursday when he wore an accessory that honored prisoner of war Bowe Bergdahl, an American captive held by the Taliban since 2009.”

GO TO  Bowe Packs for advocacy supplies, (including yellow bracelets) to show your support for Bowe.

Read the full article HERE at the Huffington Post.

Bowe Supporters have reported that they’ve planned the following events to support Bowe:

IMPORTANT: Information is current at the time of posting. Please double check for any changes to the event description and times in advance of attending the event.

(click on the event title to reach event information)

POW/MIA Freedom March on April 9 in Washington DC

8th Annual Sweet-Ola Ride/BBQ and Auction on April 28 in Boise Valley, ID

Bring Bowe Home 5K Run/Ruck March on May 4 in Plano, TX

Oregon/Washington 4th National Armed Forces Freedom Ride on May 18 in Vancouver, WA 

Sgt Bowe Bergdahl tree planting and fund raiser on June 22 in Hailey, ID

Elko POW*MIA Awareness Walk & Ride for Bowe on June 29-30 in Elko, NV

Today is the twenty-eighth day of March.  Twenty-seven years ago today Bowe Robert Bergdahl was born into a loving family living in a small town in rural Idaho.  Life was good in Idaho and Bowe grew up to become a kind, intelligent, adventurous young man.

Fast forward to today.  Bowe’s family still lives in Idaho and they still love him dearly.  Bowe, however, is being held captive somewhere in Afghanistan or Pakistan by insurgents who are allied with the Taliban.

While it’s shocking enough to learn that a United States Army soldier has been taken prisoner by those who are fighting against America, it’s even more shocking to know that one has been held captive for nearly four years.  As of today, Bowe has seen four birthdays pass since he was taken captive on 30 June 2009. We wonder if Bowe knows that he turns twenty-seven today.  We pray that next year that question won’t even need to be asked.  It is our greatest hope that in 2014 he will be able to celebrate his birthday, celebrate his life, with his loving family in that small town in Idaho.

What people are doing

Bowe’s supporters have made extra time today to tell others Bowe’s story.  Many have distributed flyers and brochures to tell people about his plight.  We have a free downloadable brochure that you can get HERE to use to spread the word about Bowe.  Facebook users and twitter users are sharing posts about Bowe via social media.  We have posts that you can share from our FACEBOOK PAGE “Waiting and Advocating for Sgt Bowe Bergdahl, US Army – POW”.  Also, please take a minute to SIGN Bowe’s Guestbook.

Interviews

Dayle Ohlau of Idaho’s KECH-fm 95.3 interviewed Bowe’s parents, Jani and Bob Bergdahl, today. In an in-depth session she finds out more about how the Bergdahls are able to manage through and cope with the crisis of their son being held as a prisoner of war. Also discussed is how Bob Bergdahl is studying the culture in which Bowe finds himself in order to help to bring his son home. Separately there is also a short segment that features Bowe’s family wishing him a happy birthday.

FOLLOW HERE to listen to the in-depth interview with Bowe’s parents. 

FOLLOW HERE to listen as Bowe’s family sends him birthday greetings today.

From us to Bowe

We will end our post today by saying “Happy Birthday Bowe!  We are standing strong for you until you come home.  God willing, may you celebrate your day next year in Idaho surrounded by those who love you.”

photo courtesy of JR – Anacortes, WA

The Honorable Patty Murray
988 Jackson Federal Building
915 2nd Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98174

Dear Senator Murray:

Army Sergeant Bowe R. Bergdahl has been a prisoner of the Taliban for nearly three and a half years.  I have closely followed the details of his situation for quite awhile now.  I’m very concerned that he continues to be held captive. I know that I’m not alone in my concern. I realize that there are details that the general public doesn’t know that are likely going on in secrecy- I do hope so.  I respectfully ask that you would be an advocate for Sergeant Bergdahl and that you would support every opportunity that would present itself to bring him home.  Senator Murray, I’m counting on you to do this.  Supporting Sergeant Bergdahl is the right thing to do.

Sincerely,

Karen P.

The Honorable Saxby Chambliss
United States Senate
416 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-1004

Dear Senator Chambliss,

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, I know that you are fully informed on the situation of Sergent Bowe Bergdahl.  I have two sons serving in the United States Army.  Having a child taken prisoner by hostile forces is one of the worst nightmares a parent could face.  I have great compassion for Sergeant Bergdahl’s family as well as for Sergeant Bergdahl himself.  I have read reports stating that there were negotiations for Sergeant Bergdahl’s release attempted earlier in the year but they fell through.  In reading these reports, it seems to me, however, that obtaining Sergeant Bergdahl’s release is secondary to the desires to begin peace talks with the Taliban.  It appears that Sergeant Bergdahl’s release is being used as a means to an end and not being viewed as a stand alone goal.  By using Sergeant Bergdahl’s release as a means to an end, there runs a great risk that any effort or opportunity to obtain his release would become mired in political wranglings.  Neither I nor thousands of other Americans who are advocating for Sergeant Bergdahl’s rescue want to see this happen.  I am asking you to please keep Sergeant Bergdahl’s rescue a top-level priority and not secondary goal.  I would also ask that you would publicly advocate for Sergeant Bergdahl and ask your fellow Congress Members to do the same. Please support every and all opportunities to obtain his release.

Respectfully,

James H,

(email below to Representative Bill Huizenga of Michigan)

Dear Congressman Huizenga,

I would like to bring to your attention to the only American service member serving in Afghanistan who is being held captive by enemy forces.  I’m quite sure that you have heard about him but I would like you to understand how important it is for you to publicly show your support for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.  I want to be confident that you will actively support efforts to gain his freedom and that you’ll urge your colleagues in Congress to do this also.  This is very important to me as well as to many others who are seeking Sgt. Bergdahl’s release. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Cynthia J.

(The following is directed to United States Representive Robert E. Andrews of New Jersey)

Honorable Robert E. Andrews,

SGT Bowe Bergdahl has been held captive for 177 weeks = 1239 days = 29,736 hours = 3 yrs + 4 mo + 3 wks T O O L O N G He needs to come home and I am writing this letter with high hopes that when I voted for you, I did not misjudge the kind of man you are. Please do all in your power to help make this happen. Wake up the powers that be and have them realize that this man’s family needs him! Thank you for your time. Please help.

Florence G.

SAMPLE LETTER:

The Honorable (full name)
(Room #) (Name) Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator (last name):

As you are aware, Sergeant Bowe R. Bergdahl, United States Army, has been held captive by Taliban allied insurgents since 30 June 2009.  Press releases by official representatives of both government and the military have stated that the search for Sergeant Bergdahl continues and that all that can be done to return him to the United States is being done.  Unfortunately, given that Sergeant Bergdahl has been held captive by enemies of America for over three years, these assurances are beginning to ring hollow to those who are advocating for him.  I understand that obtaining his release is challenging due the complexity of the situation that he is in.  It is difficult to understand, however, why the force of the most powerful nation in the world has failed to accomplish his release.  This failure sends a terrible message to all who serve in America’s Armed Forces as well as to their families and to the Nation as a whole.  The hundreds of thousands of supporters of Sergeant Bergdahl across our country have been waiting for real results in the effort to bring him home yet have been sadly disappointed.  We are seeking the committed and visible support by our Members of Congress in the effort to obtain Sergeant Bergdahl’s release.

Senator (name), it is my sincere hope that you will support any opportunity that might present itself to obtain Sergeant Bergdahl’s release.  Further, I would hope that any political differences between parties that could affect him negatively would be set aside for his sake- his life depends on it.  I also ask that you educate your entire staff about Sergeant Bergdahl’s plight.  Further, please share his story with as many people as you are able to. Finally, please encourage your colleagues in Congress to also actively support Sergeant Bergdahl and to support any opportunity to gain his freedom.  This young soldier needs your voice as he cannot speak for himself.  I am counting on you to do these things because they are the right thing to do.

Respectfully,

(your full name)

(your address)

(your phone number)

For more tips on how to contact your Members of  Congress and for the phone number that you can call to leave a message for them, please follow HERE.

Follow HERE to find out who your Members of Congress are.  Click on the name that you want and it will take you to a page that lists contact info for that person.

Please JOIN Bowe’s 3 day event and show your support. Please INVITE everyone you know to join us all in our effort to bring Bowe home. This is an “anywhere you are event” so nearly everyone can be involved. Follow HERE to the event page on Facebook.