Freed Idaho soldier’s hometown plans celebration

HAILEY, Idaho – The news Saturday of U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl’s release from captivity spread quickly in his hometown in Southern Idaho, and residents immediately began making plans for a welcome-home celebration.

An annual event called “Bring Bowe Back” scheduled for June 28 was quickly renamed “Bowe is Back.”

Bergdahl, 28, had been held prisoner by the Taliban since June 30, 2009.

In Hailey, a town of 7,000 residents just down the road from upscale Sun Valley, residents have hung yellow ribbons along the one major road that travels through the heart of the community. Signs were taped up Saturday that said, “Bowe is free at last!”

His parents, Bob and Jani Bergdahl, live in a modest home off a dirt road about 5 miles outside of Hailey. They joined President Barack Obama in the Rose Garden on Saturday as he announced Bowe Bergdahl’s release. The Bergdahls planned to speak to the media in Boise today.