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Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl Turns 27 In Enemy Hands

Courtesy of Bergdahl family.

Captured U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl turns 27 Thursday. It's the fourth birthday the Army sergeant from Idaho has passed in the hands of the Taliban and their allies. As Jessica Robinson reports, people who knew Bergdahl are trying to call more attention to the only known POW from the war in Afghanistan. 

Not a lot is known about Bergdahl's life since he was captured in June 2009. But it's believed he's now being held by a Taliban-allied insurgent network in Pakistan. U.S. efforts to bring Bergdahl home are wrapped up in slow-moving peace negotiations in Afghanistan with the Taliban.

At home, the people Bergdahl grew up with have become frustrated with what they see as lack of political pressure for his return.

Sabine Parrish, a University of Washington student, says few people know about her childhood friend.

“I want people to know that Bowe is loved, that he is sorely missed. And that we want him back so much. I cannot wait for the day I get to give him a huge hug and say, 'Welcome back, man. And boy, do we have a hell of a lot of catching up to do,” Parrish says.

In Bergdahl's hometown of Hailey, Idaho, the owner of the coffee shop he used to work at is urging people to write two birthday cards: One to send to the White House, and one to save for Bergdahl until he returns.

  

Copyright 2013 Northwest News Network

Inland Northwest Correspondent Jessica Robinson reports from the Northwest News Network's bureau in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. From the politics of wolves to mining regulation to small town gay rights movements, Jessica covers the economic, demographic and environmental trends that are shaping places east of the Cascades.
Jessica Robinson
Jessica Robinson reported for four years from the Northwest News Network's bureau in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho as the network's Inland Northwest Correspondent. From the politics of wolves to mining regulation to small town gay rights movements, Jessica covered the economic, demographic and environmental trends that have shaped places east of the Cascades. Jessica left the Northwest News Network in 2015 for a move to Norway.