POW Release and How it Highlights a Change in War

  Sergeant Bowe Bergdal was released in exchange for five Taliban commanders who had been held at Guantanamo Bay. He spent five years as a POW in Taliban controlled Afghanistan. Hope for his release was revitalized last September when the Taliban used a Qatar liaison to indicate that a prisoner swap was possible. In early November, President Obama requested proof that Sgt. Bergdal was still alive. Shortly thereafter, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel visited Qatar, under the illusion of routine meetings, to inquire further. Following that, they received video proof that he was alive, where he referenced recent events, such as Nelson Mandela’s death. Military medical specialist analyzed the video and noted that he was “undernourished and cradling one arm in another.” The Taliban worried that if he died they wouldn’t have any leverage for retrieving their people. Even after the agreement was in place, President Obama didn’t inform Congress of the plan. There was a fear that if any information about the swap was leaked, Sgt. Bergdal would be killed. Congress was quite displeased about not being informed, especially considering according to the National Defense Authorization Act, they should have been informed. Senator King from Maine conceded that the administration had intelligence that “even the fact of these discussions (about the proposed swap) leaked out, there was a reasonable chance Bowe Bergdal would have been killed.” Bergdal is being investigated to see if he is a deserter or a hero. Conflicting reports from his squad members and commanders are still being sorted out; some of whose statements have changed over time. Bowe Bergdal’s release means that there are no more American Prisoners of War, which indicates a new era of war with little to no POW. MIA/POW numbers have been under ten in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. New technology allows soldiers to be more aware of specific locations of their fellow men and to stay better connected. POW/MIA flags are flown on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, and National POW/MIA Recognition Day. On Veteran’s Day it’s flown on major military bases, at war memorials, the White House, and post offices. Civilians are free to fly the flag at any point. Though POW numbers have been drastically lowered in this most recent war, there are still those to remember from previous wars where the numbers were into the thousands, tens to hundreds—many not making it home. We are thankful that Sergeant Bowe Bergdal will make it back safely. The flag not only represents hope that current POW/MIA soldiers will make it home, but it also serves as a remembrance for those from previous wars. We carry a variety of POW flags if you are so inspired. http://www.flags.com/prod_detail_list/POW_-MIA_Flags