KANSAS CITY — The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is demanding the immediate release of U.S. Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi, who has now suffered 150 days in a Mexican jail.
VFW National Commander John Stroud is asking not only for the support of the 1.9 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliaries, but for the entire military and veteran community to rally for one of their own. VFW is asking all American veterans to take action by flooding the White House with calls and emails asking President Obama to secure Tahmooressi’s release, immediately. Call (202) 456-1111 and click here to send an email.
In addition, Stroud is asking veterans to voice their displeasure with the lack of a resolution directly to the Embassy of Mexico in Washington. Call (202) 728-1600 and click here to send an email.
In addition to social pressure, Stroud wants Mexico to feel the economic effects of its decision to keep the Marine jailed for nearly 5 months.
“We can no longer rely on our government to bring our Marine home. We’ve tried the politically polite route by twice asking President Obama to contact Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto to no avail,” said VFW National Commander John Stroud. “Now, the gloves are off. I’m calling on America’s nearly 22 million veterans to boycott all travel to Mexico and the purchase of its goods…a total boycott.”
The VFW has elected a new leadership team since first becoming involved in the issue, however, Tahmooressi’s release continues to be a VFW priority and a situation the VFW has monitored closely.
To circumvent the political bureaucracy involved with the U.S. State Department and America’s embassy in Mexico working the issue, VFW first wrote President Obama on June 6 of this year asking for his involvement. VFW requested President Obama simply speak with President Nieto on the issue. That conversation has yet to occur.
“At this point, it’s asinine that a government—especially that of our immediate neighboring country—and one we’ve had a historically good and mutually beneficial relationship with at that, has gone to such extremes over an honest mistake,” said Stroud. “I again, ask President Obama to levy sanctions against Mexico until our Marine comes home. Seems the least he can do at this point.”