Former POWs honored in Utah for their sacrifice; current POW in their thoughts

“I have a very, very good family that I love back home, and I miss them every day that I’m gone,” he said. “I miss them, and I’m afraid that I might never see them again, and that I’ll never be able to tell them I love them again. I’ll never be able to hug them.”

According to recent reports, Bergdahl escaped in December only to be recaptured.

Several groups across the country have filed several petitions demanding Bergdahl's release.

Former POWs hope he will make it out alive. “The will to hang on, and never, never give up is built in us,” Hess said.

Bergdahl's family's only hope of communication is the Internet. In a video posted on the Internet last May, his father, Bob Bergdahl, said, “I pray this video may be shown to our only son. God bless you. We love you. You are not forgotten. You are not forgotten.”

Contributing: Viviane Vo-Duc and the Associated Press

E-mail: jboal@ksl.com