The American Legion: Let Court Decide on Bergdahl

The American Legion: Let Court Decide on Bergdahl

INDIANAPOLIS (March 25, 2015) – The leader of the nation's largest veterans service organization reiterated his concerns about the circumstances leading to the release of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl but is reserving judgment about his guilt or innocence until the legal process concludes.

"From the beginning, The American Legion has expressed its strong concerns about negotiating deals with terrorists. While we do not believe in leaving any U.S. military personnel behind, we also don't want to recklessly endanger Americans by creating incentives for future kidnappings and other terrorist acts," American Legion National Commander Michael D. Helm said. "As a U.S. citizen and soldier, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is entitled to due process. A judge or a jury of his peers should decide his guilt or innocence. This is a process that the Taliban and other like-minded terrorist groups refuse to extend to anyone under their control. If Sgt. Bergdahl is found guilty, he must be punished accordingly."

With a current membership of 2.3-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through nearly 14,000 posts across the nation.

 

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Media contact:  Joe March, (317) 630-1253/ (317) 748-1926; John Raughter, (317) 630-1350 / (317) 441-8847; Marty Callaghan, (202)263-5758/ (202) 341-8900. A high resolution photo of the National Commander is available at www.legion.org.