Jani and Bob Bergdahl, parents of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, an American soldier captured by the Taliban four years ago, are set to speak at a “Bring Bowe Back” rally to be held in Hailey, Idaho on June 22, according to a press release issued late Thursday.
June 22, the event page says, is the fourth anniversary of the date Bergdahl was captured by the Taliban.
Stefanie O’Neill said that several members of Rolling Thunder are coming from Illinois, and speakers will include Idaho State Senator Michelle Stennett and Ketchum Mayor Randy Hall.
Prior to the event, O’Neill added, a procession of over 500 motorcycles will be riding through Bellevue and Hailey, arriving at Hop Porter Park at approximately 1:00pm.
The motorcyclists, mostly comprised of POW and MIA groups from around the Pacific Northwest, will be led by the “missing man” formation. Bergdahl is set to ride his son’s motorcycle in that formation, which will be escorted by Hailey Police Chief Jeff Gunter.
O’Neill said that at about 1:30 p.m., the Ketchum Fire Department will be driving from Ketchum to Hop Porter Park, with the lead truck carrying the POW flag in Bergdahl’s honor.
A tree dedication is set to take place at 2:00 p.m.
“Four trees, one for each year Bowe has been held to date, will be planted in his honor so that when he comes home he will know his community has never stopped thinking about him,” says the event website.
CBS News reported earlier this month that Bergdahl is believed to be held somewhere in Pakistan.
Recently, CBS said, the Bergdahls received a letter they believe came from their son.
“Our family is greatly relieved and encouraged by this letter,” they said.
“He was scripted and redacted but he was no doubt alive and his faculties fully functioning as of two months ago,” Bob Bergdahl told a friend, according to CBS affiliate KBOI.
“We hope Bowe’s captors will again consider his parents’ plea to release him, but in the meantime, we ask that you please continue to keep him in good health and allow him to keep corresponding with us,” the Red Cross said.
Bergdahl turned 27 on March 28.
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