An Idaho POW captured nearly four years ago in Afghanistan has made contact with his parents, giving them hope that he is still doing as well as can be expected.
US Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl disappeared from his base in Afghanistan on June 30, 1000,. and now is believed to be held in Pakistan. The family of the Idaho POW said they received a letter this week delivered through the International Committee of the Red Cross, one they are confident was written by Bowe.
There had been only sporadic communication with Bowe and long periods of uncertainty that led his family to question his health and whereabouts. The last video was received in February 2011.
It is still unclear exactly where the Idaho POW is being held. The US has said he is being held by the Haqqani Network, a Pakistan-based group labelled a terrorist organization, but Haqqani leadership said he was being held by a different Taliban group.
The captured soldier’s parents have rarely spoken to the media, but have spoken at rallies to support their son. Bergdahl’s parents did not share the contents of the letter they received this week.
“He was scripted and redacted but he was no doubt alive and his faculties fully functioning as of two months ago,” his father told a family friend, according to CBS affiliate KBOI . “They are being very careful with him. He is still highly valued at high levels.”
In Bowe’s hometown of Hailey, Idaho, have kept yellow ribbons on trees and light poles in remembrance. Obama also called the Bergdahls on Memorial Day 2012 to reassure them that the US was working for his release.
Bergdahl was a private at the time of his capture. The Army has given the Idaho POW the promotions he would have received during his Army career, and he will receive back pay he has earned while in captivity.