U.S. Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl’s Idaho hometown has abruptly canceled a celebratory event organized upon his release.
The welcome-home ceremony was to take place June 28, but Heather Dawson, administrator of Hailey, Idaho, said the event was called off at the request of organizers because officials would “be unable to safely manage the number of people expected,” Reuters reported Wednesday.
Sgt. Bergdahl was released by the Taliban over the weekend in exchange for five suspected terrorists being held in Guantanamo Bay.
His release has prompted outrage from many of his platoon members, who claim he deserted his post in the middle of the night.
Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Tuesday the Army may still pursue an investigation into the conduct of Sgt. Bergdahl.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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