Legion to Obama: Implore Mexican authorities to release Marine veteran

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.”