Military Connection: USMC Sgt Still in Mexican Jail: By Debbie Gregory
Last month, Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, America’s last prisoner of war, was exchanged for five Taliban combatants detained at Guantanamo Bay. The White House stressed that the reason for the exchange was that they would go to any lengths to fulfill the promise of bringing our service members home.
If that is the case, than many Americans believe that one of our own is still missing, and needs to be returned immediately. Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi has been in a Mexican prison since March 31st . Sgt. Tahmooressi served in combat during his two tours in Afghanistan. While it is true that Sgt. Tahmooressi is not a POW, and that the U.S. is not at war with Mexico, one of our Marines is in a Mexican jail. Tahmooressi’s friends, family and supporters in the military and Veteran communities want him back on U.S. soil.
There is some controversy in regards to Tahmooressi’s claim that he simply made a wrong turn, winding up on the Mexican side of the border with firearms that he owned and possessed legally in the U.S. There are claims that Tahmooressi walked across the border earlier in the day, checked into a hotel in Tijuana, and later drove his truck across the border, with the weapons inside. Mexican officials claim that they offered Tahmooressi the opportunity to surrender his weapons and safely return to the U.S., which Tahmooressi says is untrue.
Mexican officials claim that Tahmooressi brought his weapons, a .45 caliber pistol, a 12 gauge shotgun and an AR 15 rifle, across the border illegally to sell to members of a drug cartel.
Tahmooressi argues that their claims don’t make sense. “I wouldn’t have gone about selling my guns to get money,” Tahmooressi told CNN. “I would have sold my motorcycle. I would have sold my truck. Besides that, I had plenty of money in my bank account that I had saved up from the Marine Corps. And I’m not a dumb man, to be selling my guns that have serial numbers registered to me.”
Tahmooressi’s first trial is scheduled to begin in Mexico on July 9th. This service member is asking for his countrymen’s prayers. Please answer his plea. But concerned Americans should also write their congressmen and senators. Sgt. Tahmooressi’s family is also requesting donations to the FREE SGT. ANDREW TAHMOORESSI FUND.
Please offer your support in any way that you can to bring Sgt. Tahmooressi home.
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Military Connection: USMC Sgt Still in Mexican Jail: By Debbie Gregory
