News-Info-Alerts

Re: Speicher - Searching For a Buddy

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Date: May 13, 2002

"Searching for their buddy
Classmates help campaign to find old pal

Friends Working to Free Scott Speicher

By Rachel Davis and Paul Pinkham
Times-Union staff writers
With hope and heartbreak they have watched as their friend's story has continued to unfold during the past decade.

The fate of Jacksonville Navy pilot Michael Scott Speicher has been rehashed and debated since the night his FA-18 went down over Iraq, only to bring more questions and more concern to his high school buddies. And the quest for answers has reunited the Forrest High School Class of 1975 on behalf of one of their own.

"We want our government and the world to know that a formalized, united effort for our friend, Scott Speicher, now exists," former classmate Suzanne Hayes said during a news conference yesterday in front of the Veterans Memorial Wall. "We will not give up, we will not give in, we will not go away, we will not stop calling, we will not stop writing and we will not stop spreading the word to thousands of others to do the same."

About 30 former classmates who gathered there wearing "Free Scott Speicher" T-shirts implored others to sign a petition and encourage congressmen to support the "Speicher Bill." The legislation would offer political asylum to any Iraqi or Middle Eastern national who returns Speicher alive.

Speicher, stationed on the carrier USS Saratoga, was declared killed in action when his plane was downed over Iraq on the opening night of the Gulf War. An 1995 investigation of the crash site found Speicher probably was able to eject before his plane crashed. His status was updated to missing in action last year, when new intelligence reports surfaced indicating he survived.

One of the issues his former classmates are pursuing is supporting an effort by U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., to reclassify Speicher as a prisoner of war.

"We must demand of our Navy and the Defense Department and our government to do what is long overdue," former classmate Jim Stafford said. "Give us a full, candid and honest explanation of what happened, why it happened and make sure it never happens again."

The group is planning a trip to Washington to participate in the Rolling Thunder Rally, an annual rally for the remembrance of POWs and those still MIA. Area veterans organizations also have agreed to help the group's cause.

Classmate Nels Jensen said two of the group's objectives are to collect 1 million signatures on a petition to bring Speicher home and to lobby federal lawmakers to co-sponsor the "Speicher Bill."

Hayes said the class has contacted congressmen, including U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., who has discussed Speicher's case with diplomatic officials and Arab leaders in the Middle East.

"Make no mistake, we will not fail in our effort to demand an accounting for and the immediate release and return of our friend and patriot, [Cmdr.] Michael Scott Speicher," Hayes said. "Washington, D.C., a tidal wave is headed your way ... and we mean business."

Staff writer Rachel Davis can be reached at (904) 359-4614 or racheldavis@jacksonville.com.

Staff writer Paul Pinkham can be reached at (904) 359-4107 or ppinkham@jacksonville.com."