Goodby letter: Obama and Idaho
May 31, 2014: Bowe Bergdahl of Hailey released in controversial prisoner exchange after being held captive by Taliban since 2009.
Jan. 21, 2015: Air Force One lands at Gowen Field. President Obama meets members and families of Idaho Air National Guard before speaking at Boise State University. President also meets wife of Pastor Saeed Abedini, jailed in Iran since 2012.
Jan. 16, 2016: Pastor Abedini released.
Feb. 29, 2016: Idaho Air National Guard deploying this spring/summer to fight ISIS in the Middle East. The l24th Fighter Wing is based at Gowen Field, Boise.
Perhaps the 2015 visit to Gowen Field was an opportunity for our president to see firsthand the 124th Fighter Wing and the readiness of Idaho Air National Guard?
Ties that bind us are woven through events. While there are those who choose to make negative remarks about the president of the United States, I choose to think President Obama has made positive efforts on behalf of Idaho residents and has been influential in the return of Idaho prisoners of war.
President Obama has done right by Idaho. I say, “Thank you, Mr. President.”
Mary Goodby, Meridian
This story was originally published March 29, 2016 at 11:20 PM with the headline "Goodby letter: Obama and Idaho."