Family, friends concerned about captured soldier
By KBCI Staff
HAILEY - Residents in the small towns of Hailey and Ketchum are awaiting the hopeful return for Private First Class, Bowe Berghdal, 23, who officials say was likely captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan.
His former employer, Sue Martin, owner of Zaney's Coffee in Hailey, says Berghdal is a good worker and was well liked among his peers. "Bowe is an outstanding young man," Martin said. "He made lifelong friends with everyone he worked with at the coffee shop."
On Monday, the family released a statement via Blaine County sheriff Walt Femling. "We've been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support and concern towards Bowe and our family. As you know, the situation is extremely difficult for everyone involved," the family stated. "We'd like to remind all of you our sole focus is seeing our beloved son Bowe safely home. Please continue to keep Bowe in your thoughts and prayers, and we ask for your continued acceptance of our need for privacy in this difficult situation. Thank you." Click the following link to watch the press conference. Authorities say they don't yet know who initially captured Bergdahl in Afghanistan, but the U.S. military officials say he was being held by the Taliban and condemned the video as a violation of international law. All throughout the town of Ketchum, which is about 12 miles north of Hailey, you'll see yellow ribbons passed out by residents such as Stephanie Nelson. She doesn't know Bergdahl or his family, but that's not stopping her from spear-heading "Operation Bring Bowe Home." "We needed to come together and do something to support the family and to support Bowe," Nelson said. "(We need) to keep our spirits up knowing the dangers he is facing over there in Afghanistan." In the video, Bergdahl says he misses his family and is afraid he won't be able to go home. Local resident Phil Handy describes the area as small town community living that's very close. "We know so many people here and when anybody's sick or in trouble the town rallies around it," Handy said. Word quickly spread about the local resident and soldier, who in the video says he misses his family and wants to marry his girlfriend. "It sort of takes your breath away," Handy said. "He's doing his job and we wish him only the best from the point."
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