News-Info-Alerts

Re: Speicher Family Wants Efforts Stepped Up

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: June 25, 2003

"Search for Speicher continues

JACKSONVILLE, FL - With Operation Iraqi Freedom completed, the family of missing pilot Captain Scott Speicher wants the military to step up its efforts to locate him.

Since Operation Iraqi Freedom began there has been promising news about Captain Speicher. At one point military officials thought they found his initials on a prison wall. However, while there is continued optimism there is a sense of frustration because of the lack of information coming out of Iraq.

Senator Bill Nelson says he is frustrated that not much is being done to even get the word out to the Iraqi's that there is a reward of $1 million for information that leads to the return of Speicher.

In addition to not being able to spread the word throughout Iraq, the expectation that captured members of Saddam's inner circle would provide information about Speicher has not panned out as of yet.

The lack of information and progress has prompted Speicher's family to request a top military official be appointed to oversee the search for Speicher.

According to Senator Bill Nelson, "I have a meeting with Secretary of Defense Don Rumsfeld specifically at the request of their attorney Cindy Laquidera. I'm to deliver a letter [in which] they have asked Secretary Rumsfled to appoint a high level person who could oversee and give leadership to the search for Captain Speicher."

Captain Speicher was shot down on the first night of the Gulf War in 1991. Since that night Speicher has been listed as killed in action, missing in action, and now missing - captured.

©First Coast News"