Teen campaigns for U.S. prisoner of war in Afghanistan

Michael Geer was shocked when he learned that many people were unaware a U.S. soldier has been held captive by the Taliban for several years.

The St. Francis High School freshman, 14, started a campaign to get the word out. He secured a banner on a main intersection in La Cañada Flintridge and attracted the attention of Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank).

Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was captured in 2009 in Afghanistan. Michael said that when he read articles about the 27-year-old from Idaho, he was inspired to begin an outreach effort.

The Facebook page he created, Bring Bowe Back, garners more than 1,000 views on each post, he said. The teenager also sells bracelets to raise awareness.

“The response has been crazy,” he said. “It’s unimaginable how many people have responded to Bowe being gone.”

He tapped the Allen Lund Company to display a banner promoting awareness about Bergdahl on the outside of their headquarters on Angeles Crest Highway near Foothill Boulevard. The banner, which reads “No One Left Behind,” was hung last month. The “No” in the banner fades into the background, leaving behind a message about Bergdahl.

Schiff said he was impressed after meeting the teenager in La Cañada on Veterans Day and viewing the banner.

“It shows what one young person can do when they’re motivated,” he said.

Schiff agreed that many people are unaware of Bergdahl’s capture and said he will help amplify the message on his office’s social media accounts.

“I’ll continue to stay in touch with State and Defense progress and check in about his release,” he added.

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Follow Tiffany Kelly on Google+ and on Twitter: @LATiffanyKelly.

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