In June of 2009, Bergdahl (promoted to sergeant in absentia) was taken prisoner by the Taliban or its allies.

There is a lot of confusion and uncertainty as to how Bergdahl was captured: he fell behind during a patrol (thought reportedly there was no patrol that night), he was drunk and off base, he was in a latrine … and then, there’s the theory that he had deserted.

Reportedly, he had mailed his computer and other personal items home before he “disappeared” and reportedly left behind a note stating that he was against the US mission in Afghanistan. The military has never classified him as a deserter. The Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey stated that like every American, Bergdahl was innocent until proven guilty and on his return an investigation will try to get the actual details.

There are also reports that 2 American soldiers were killed while searching for Bergdahl, and another report that at least 6 other Americans were killed when an outpost was not properly manned because troops were looking for him. The military won’t admit a direct cause & effect linking those deaths to Bergdahl, but it can’t be denied that for days, weeks and months … US soldiers were ordered to find him.

Now, he is free after President Obama decreed that 5 Taliban terrorists should be freed from Guantanamo Bay in an exchange.

President Obama explained his decision by saying we had a “sacred” obligation not to leave US troops behind. I agree … IF .. IF .. they were not deserters. If they deserted, let them spend the rest of their years with the enemy.
(Since his “capture”, we’ve seen video of Bergdahl saying he wanted to come home. Regardless of how he ended up with the Taliban, I believe that is true.)

President Obama has since admitted, that yes, maybe those released will once again try to destroy us.

Did he not consider that before “negotiating with terrorists”? If so, why the hell did he make that deal?

Did he realize that possibility “after” making the deal? If so, could he plainly state, I made a serious mistake that might cost American lives?

In the 1998 film, “Saving Private Ryan”, soldiers are sent on a mission to find and escort Private Ryan back to safety; he is the last of four brothers; the others have been killed in action.

I was reminded of that film as this latest part of Sgt. Bergdahl’s saga unfolded.
In fiction, our troops died trying to save the last remaining son of a family who had already paid a high price for war.

It appears in this real story, that we had troops die trying to rescue a soldier that many sent on the missions believed was a traitor, a deserter.

And we have a President who was willing to open the gates for terrorists who will see their release not as a chance to reform, but rather as an opportunity to attack.