Legion to Obama: Pick Up the Phone and Call Mexico

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Oct 01, 2014, 11:06 ET

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Legion National Commander Michael D. Helm called on President Obama to implore Mexican authorities to immediately release Marine Corps veteran Andrew Tahmooressi.

"President Obama released five hardened terrorists from Guantanamo to secure the release of Sgt. Bowe Berghdahl," Helm said. "Now we have a Marine hero, suffering from PTSD incurred from service in Afghanistan, who is being denied treatment for that PTSD because he mistakenly made a wrong turn south of our border. The United States provided $265 million in foreign aid to Mexico last year. It's time for the president to call Mexican President Pena Nieto and demand an immediate release. This has gone on far too long."

Although Helm said he is optimistic that Tahmooressi will be released soon, he called on American Legion members to contact the White House and members of Congress and urge national leaders to "pressure Mexico to do the right thing."

With a current membership of 2.4-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through nearly 14,000 posts across the nation.

Media contact: John Raughter, (317) 630-1350 / (317) 441-8847; Marty Callaghan, (202)263-5758/ (202) 341-8900. A high resolution photo of the National Commander is available at www.legion.org.

SOURCE The American Legion