Bowe Bergdahl’s parents speak in Boise

After nearly five years of captivity in Afghanistan, U.S. Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is free and his parents were back in Idaho Sunday.

At a press conference at Gowen Field in Boise, Bob and Jani Bergdahl took the opportunity to speak directly to their son whom they haven’t spoken to since his release.

“I’m so looking forward to seeing your face after these last five and half years. Long, long years, and to giving you a great big bear hug and holding you in my arms again,” said Jani Bergdahl.

Many in the Bergdahls’ hometown of Hailey, Idaho, say they’re proud of Bowe Bergdahl, but none more so than Bergdahl’s father.

“I’m proud of how much you wanted to help the Afghan people,” said Bob Bergdahl.

Bowe Bergdahl still has a long journey ahead of him. He’s currently in Germany receiving medical treatment, and it could be quite sometime before he returns home.

“It isn’t over for us. In many ways it’s just beginning,” said Bob Bergdahl.

“there’s gonna be a huge adjustment, but the whole town is behind him. He’s got an amazing family and an amazing Valley. Here, people support him,” said Hailey resident Candy Funk.