Jon Hammar, an Afghanistan and Iraq veteran and former U.S. Marine, was imprisoned in Mexico since August after being arrested for possession of a disassembled shotgun. He was reportedly chained to a bed under deplorable conditions, but the State Department confirms he was finally released this morning.
https://twitter.com/ARTEMISALULO/status/282161516470484992
GOP Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen has been at the forefront of the movement to bring Jon Hammar home. When few in politics and the media were interested, Ros-Lehtinen worked tirelessly to highlight his plight and secure his freedom.
BREAKING: Mexican Embassy confirms #JonHammar will be freed from #Mexico jail 2day! Unjust and brutal incarceration since August! # Marine
— Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (@RosLehtinen) December 21, 2012
#JonHammarHome4Christmas Thx 2 all 4 help: u did it! Jon's Mom called our Cong office 2 let us know! #Marine jailed in Mexico: WILL B FREE!
— Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (@RosLehtinen) December 21, 2012
Thx 2 prayers + work #JonHammarHome4Christmas You did it! Jon's Mom called us earlier w/the blessed news! #Marine jailed in #Mexico 2 b free
— Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (@RosLehtinen) December 21, 2012
Twitter users thanked her for her attention to Hammar’s situation and celebrated news of his forthcoming return to the U.S.
@joseph_m_pharesYou are right! Thank you > @RosLehtinen For your diligence in getting Cpl John Hammar Released.
— Jo Anne moretti (@JoAnneMoretti) December 21, 2012
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http://t.co/OV7w9IBN Such great news. Congrats to @RosLehtinen for being a tireless advocate for the people she represents.
— Paul Hernandez (@PaulBHernandez) December 21, 2012
@RosLehtinen thank you for all that you have done in bringing Jonny Hammar home! #HAMMARisFREE
— Cameron M. Cabrera (@CamCabz) December 21, 2012
@RosLehtinen. Thank you for your commitment to bringing Jon Hammar HOME!
— Semper Fi Sisters (@SemperFiSister1) December 21, 2012
Others are thanking Fox News and its anchors for shining the spotlight on Hammar’s incarceration.
@oreillyfactor Thank you for your continued pressure, strong voice and Fox News for refusing to let Jon Hammar rot in that Mexican jail!
— Terry Hawtin (@FiftyandFit10) December 21, 2012
https://twitter.com/HeyLookItsKev/status/282185873443921920
@oreillyfactor thank you for all you did to help get Marine Jon Hammar released so he and fam can have a Merry Christmas.
— Oathkeeper Ex-GOP (@TomTwiljr) December 21, 2012
RT @Notmypresident0: Thank you @FoxNews for getting Jon Hammar released. The other networks don't even know who he is.
— Kelly (@KLSouth) December 21, 2012
* * *
Update: Hammar arrived on American soil late tonight.
JOHN HAMMAR ON U S SOIL
THANK YOU GOD— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) December 22, 2012
#JonHammar is in the US!!! His mom cried tears of joy. A strong woman looking forward to spending Christmas with her family! @CBSMiami
— Lauren Pastrana CBS4 (@LaurenPastrana) December 22, 2012
#JonHammar's family can confirm: Jon has been released + is back on US soil! Thx 2 all 4 your efforts http://t.co/MBscQILT
— Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (@RosLehtinen) December 22, 2012