Recently released Bergdahl venturing off-base, rubbing elbows with public

[steve2470]

http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/01/us/bowe-bergdahl-reintegration/

CNN) -- Bowe Bergdahl, the U.S. soldier held captive for five years by militants before his release a month ago, has ventured several times off an Army base in Texas as part of the effort to get him used to everyday life in America, a military spokeswoman said.

His release on May 31 in exchange for five Taliban being held by the U.S. military has rankled some, including former members of his unit, who said he was a deserter who endangered colleagues searching for him. Yet while investigating circumstances surrounding his departure, the military has also said it's focused on making sure Bergdahl gets better mentally and physically, so he can gradually readjust to normal life.

Since being freed, Bergdahl has been carefully monitored at a military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, and his home since June 13, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

He recently transitioned from inpatient care at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas to outpatient care, the Army said on June 22

[riqster]

1. Good luck to him.

[Scuba]

2. Good luck Sgt. Bergdahl.

[Half-Century Man]

3. Good for you Mr. Bergdahl

[justhanginon]

4. All the best of luck to you Sgt. Bergdahl. n/t

[riverwalker]

5. Welcome Home, Bowe

nice to know

In some instances while he has been in uniform, members of the public have recognized him and shaken his hand, according to the Army spokeswoman.

[loudsue]

6. "former members of his unit" said he was a deserter????

WTF is that about? I thought it was just the republi-cons in a swirl about this mess.

[ieoeja]

7. His unit was full of malcontents and fuck ups who were walking and talking stereotypes of the ...

... type of soldier that anti-military types speak about.

They are the "kill 'em all, let God sort 'em out" type of idiot that does our country more harm than good. Bergdhal hated them for that attitude, for their love of ignorance, and for their general lazy incompetence. And they hated Bergdhal for thinking they should reach out to the Afghans, for his reading instead of drinking, and for constantly showing them up with his extra training, etc.

I would take anything they say about Bergdhal with a block of salt.

[loudsue]

9. Interesting. Besides, he deserved to be brought home even if he had been one of them.

That's just the way this country SHOULD "roll". If someone goes overseas to do our country's bidding, we damned well should take responsibility for having his/her back.

[riverwalker]

13. there are a handful of guys

who are vehemently anti-Obama, and extremely RW (I've read their pages), who are giving opinions (no facts) all over FOX news. GOP ops Richard Grennell and Brad Chase are pimping (exploiting) them to media. FOX will soon dump them as quickly as they did Clive Bundy. Remember the meme about Bergdahl leaving "a note" when he left? There was no note and NYT had to walk it back.
They were asleep when Bergdahl disappeared AFTER completing his duty watch at 11 pm and went to bed. They are "witnesses" to nothing but their dreams. "He didn't eat BBQ with us" and "he read a lot of books" and "he sent a package home" are not EVIDENCE of desertion.

[Comrade Grumpy]

8. Why doesn't he want to see his parents? Anybody know?

[wheniwasincongress]

10. I wonder too

Reports say he has not chosen to speak to his parents yet

[csziggy]

12. I wonder if he has been made aware of the right wing attitudes

And might be waiting to visit his parents until things settle down?

[riverwalker]

14. I've read about the reintegration process

and they say it is not unusual. Meeting with the family is intensely emotional and traumatic and they keep the meetings very brief. I did read that he is in contact with them by writing.
The team is called Army South (my Dad was a POW during WW2. So I'm very interested in the POW issue)
http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140602/NEWS/306020049/Inside-Army-s-plan-reintegrate-Bergdahl

[TwilightGardener]

11. Well God bless him, after all he's been through, I hope he finds

some peace and happiness.