Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Bergdahl deserves a welcome home


    I’m very disappointed that the celebration to welcome Bowe Bergdahl has been cancelled. Having moved to the Wood River Valley eight years ago, I remember thinking what a beautiful place with caring and kind people. I appreciated how everyone seemed to know each other at the grocery stores and greet one another. There was such a sense of family that I hoped to join one day.
    When Bowe was captured at the young age of 23, I was overwhelmed with the valley’s response. Bowe’s youthful picture was everywhere and the yellow ribbons reminded the community every day that one of our young adults was suffering in some foreign place. He was in a place that most of us can’t even begin to fathom, yet we are quick to call him a “deserter.” An investigation is in place, so no one can speak factually, but I don’t need an investigation to feel rejoiced and thrilled for the Bergdahl family’s unification with their son.
    For those opponents, I question where is your sense of humanity?
    For the past five years, the Bergdahl family has endured so much uncertainty and stress. I admire how much they kept Bowe’s spirit alive through these five long years. The rally last year was amazing with so many familiar faces. I admire the strength the family displays even now during the intense media coverage and for the challenge they face to get to know their son again.
    Bowe returns as a very different person, and doesn’t it take a village to raise a child? You can’t tell me the symbolism of those yellow ribbons was superficial. I’m simply saddened that politics has developed such negative responses even from our local community, Bowe’s home.
Brandeis Coshow
Hailey




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