Search for Speicher: Friends Talk About Developments
By Charlene Shirk
First Coast News
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- For nearly three years friends of Captain Scott Speicher have been pushing relentlessly to learn what happened to their friend and former classmate after he was shot down the first night of the first Gulf War.
First Coast News was the first to report that DNA testing is underway on remains found in Iraq.
Sources tell us they feel pretty confident the remains are that of the missing pilot Scott Speicher.
Friday First Coast News spoke with Friends Working to Free Scott Speicher.
It's been a tough road for them and now is no different. Nels Jensen says this is not the outcome they wanted to hear so the group is bracing itself until those test results are back. Because, to his friends, Scott Speicher was more than a fading picture of a pilot in a cockpit. He was their friend and finding out what happened to him they believe is the least they can do.
"Our goal is to raise awareness and keep the candle burning for Scott because, until they can give us absolute proof, we're there for him," said Jensen.
Firefighters at Fire Station 10 on the Westside share that feeling. Many of them are veterans from the first and second Gulf War. They put bumper stickers and banners on their fire equipment, and throughout the city, to keep Scott Speicher in the public eye. They too have ridden this emotional roller coaster.
Jacksonville firefighter Mark Treglio says, "It's pretty discouraging, first we hear some good, positive, then something maybe not so positive and we thought this was the time, but then you feel stonewalled."
The answer this time may come in the form of a DNA test. First Coast News was told by several sources, remains are being tested to determine if they belong to Scott Speicher. We also know remains have been tested before, but there seems to be a stronger sense this time the mystery could be over. Sources say they also have information that convinces them Scott was held captive for some time before he died. That information is evoking strong emotions from his friends.
"It tears me up to think they had Scott for so long and we demand accountability. Whoever did that to Scott not only should they be held accountable and the people who made the miscalculations and miscommunications and mistakes in our own government need to be held accountable," says Jensen.
There are no further details available as to exactly where the remains were found, only to say not near the crash site. As to who found the remains, our sources are not telling us that. They also declined to tell us who is doing the testing. We contacted the U.S. Military. A spokesman tells us they are not involved. We've been told it could be weeks before we get results from the DNA tests.
We will continue to follow this developing story and bring you the latest as soon we learn anything new.