Captured US Soldier's Identity Kept Secret by Hometown

The identity of PFC Bowe R. Bergdahl was officially released only after a Taliban video of the captured soldier found its way to the Internet and to news organizations around the world. The 23-year-old Idaho native had only been in Afghanistan for 5 months before his capture, stationed at a base near the border with Pakistan that was considered a hotbed of Taliban activity. Bergdahl's family had been notified weeks ago that military officials believed he had been captured by the Taliban, but the family was able to keep the secret from getting beyond their tight group of friends and neighbors.

Now that his name and hometown have been revealed, media has descended upon Hailey, Idaho to get "the story." In summation, the story is that a young American soldier has been captured by the enemy and that his friends and family want him home safely as soon as possible. They are worried and fear for his life. PFC Bergdahl is also worried and fears for his life.

Anything beyond those facts represents the media's attempt to profit from this unfortunate situation. How many times will we see shots of the outside of the soldier's home and home town? How many local residents need to provide interviews before the news media is satisfied? Which network will get the first exclusive interview with his distraught and exhausted parents, making an impassioned and desperate plea for the safe return of their son?

Hopefully the people of Hailey will remain quiet and respectful of the Bergdahl family during this difficult time and force the media to report from afar and without first-hand accounts from friends and family. Unfortunately, that is highly unlikely.