Posted on 12/20/2012 3:49:37 PM PST by Steve Newton
Two steps forward and one back
CEO of the SSFOA Steve Newton, stated: We have contacted the Mexican Embassy in Washington and every Mexican consulate in the United States. (See bottom of page) We have also contacted the U.S. State Department and our Embassy in Mexico City. To be honest our State Department has been somewhat slow andunhelpful. We finally made a solid contact with our Consulate office in Matamoros who gives us up to- date information on Hammars condition and provided us an address to send him reading materials so we have made progress.
While some are engaged in big media events, the SSFOA has been working quietly with both U.S. and Mexican officials, Newton continued. It is probably a good thing the plight of Mr. Hammar has gotten out to the public because it might draw the attention of those in the government that can help. We have also been passing on information to the family through Hammars Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla office.
It is not our job to determine blame for the situation and we feel that any solution will be a compromise between Mexico and the United States and the people of both Nations. Our main concern is making sure Hammar is well treated, safe, and is at least fairly comfortable while we work to free him. We firmly believe that he will be released on January 17th, at his next court appearance. If that does not happen we will have to reevaluate the situation and take other action. And we are doing a few things we cant talk about at present.
We learned today our letter to the President of Mexico has finally been delivered. (Letter in full below) We will build on that and we will not rest until Hammar is home.
Dear Mr. Newton,
Thank you for your letter addressed to President Pena Nieto that you sent to the Ambassador regarding the imprisonment of Mr. Jon Hammar in Matamoros. The U.S. Embassy has forwarded your letter to the Government of Mexico per your request.
We appreciate your concern of fellow citizen Jon Hammar. Please know that U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulate General in Matamoros are working closely with high-level Mexican Officials to ensure that proper judicial proceedings are in place and encouraging a prompt resolution. Embassy and Consulate officials continue to monitor Mr. Hammars safety and well-being throughout his detention.
Sincerely,
Office of the Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs U.S. Embassy Mexico City
The Honorable Lic. Enrique Peña Nieto President of the United Mexican States In care of: U.S. Embassy and the Mexican Consulate
I would like to bring to your attention the mission of the Silver Star Families of America: to remember, honor and assist the wounded, ill, injured and dying of the American Armed Forces from all wars. We are an organization of thousands of members who respect the sacrifice of those who have stood for freedom. Intergral to our mission is the welfare and well-being of Jon Hammar, a United States Marine Corp veteran has been arrested and is presently incarcerated in CERESO de Matamoros Mr. Hammar suffers from post traumatic stress, a psychological and emotion illness caused by prolonged exposure to violence. Mr. Hammar was a soldier in Afghanistan and Iraq, and should be receiving therapy for his wounds, which is likely to become worse under the stress of his incarceration.
We have no wish to interfere with the Mexican judicial system, nor with any official negotiations between governments, but we would like to request that for humanitarian reasons, the honorable President Enrique Peña Nieto will consider using your considerable influence and power to prevail upon the Public Ministers to consider Mr. Hammar's condition and intention, reducing the charges to those that would allow him to leave prison and return to his own country. The Silver Stars Families of America is willing to pay whatever fines are assessed by the court. Our respect for the sovereignty of the Mexican state is absolute and our only concern is for Mr. Hammar's well-being.
If charges cannot be dropped or reduced to the minimum, we would ask that you consider having the criminal matter expedited, and grant Mr. Hammar amnesty as you are empowered to do in Article 89, XIV of the Political Constitution of the Mexican United States, or you request that the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Republic grant amnesty to Mr. Hammar under the powers granted the Legislature in Article 73, XIII.
Again, our only concern is to assume that Mr. Hammar receives the help he desperately needs. Our respect for the sovereignty of the Mexican state is absolute and our only wish is for an honorable settlement of this situation. A misunderstanding of Mexican customs regulations should not deprive a young wounded warrior of years of his life.
I appeal to you as a father and a Christian. Please let the good hearts of the Mexican people prevail and provide justice tempered with mercy. You know and I know this child should not suffer anymore than he already has.
I stand with you in justice and compassion,
Steve Newton CEO Silver Star Families of America
The Silver Star Families of America has one mission: To remember, honor and assist the wounded, ill, injured and dying of our Armed Forces from all wars. They can be contacted at: Silverstarfamilies.org Letter edited by a friend and dont know if he wants his name used. Thank you my friend. I also want to thank our interpreter. You know who you are.
Steve Newton The Silver Star Families of America 525 Cave Hollow Rd. Clever, MO. 65631 www.silverstarfamilies.org
Dear Mr. Newton:
This Consulate of Mexico in Kansas City, Missouri, acknowledges receipt of your letter dated December 10, 2012, regarding the situation of Jon Hammar, a United States Marine Corp, arrested and presently incarcerated in CERESO de Matamoros.
I inform you that your letter has been sent to the appropriate Mexican authorities for their attention.
Kind Regards,
Alicia kerber Palma Head Consul
We ARE trying folks. Other things coming soon.
Until then pray.
Steve, thank you for the update and for all you are doing. This is becoming a maddening merry-go-round. Still praying for release ASAP.
Thank you for your efforts on the behalf of this Marine. May God bless you in your efforts and free Jon Hammer soon.
Your very welcome.
Yes. I could tell you somethings. It is simply amazing to me the way the U.S. government operates. Or not operate. And I won’t go into other governments.
Yes indeed Prayers.
This matter MUST be taken care of on Friday, as the entire system stops and grinds to a halt, until the Wise Men come bearing gifts on Jan. 6th, and at that time gov´t workers, judges, and courts will be back to work.
If I were a reporter at a White House press conference I would ask Jay Carney “Jay, in light of recent statements by the Mexican ambassador do think Jon Hammar is being held by the Mexican government in retaliation for Operation Fast and Furious?”
I hope.
But I actually think it will be settled at his next court appearance. And thats on 17 January.
Smile
There are a lot of questions I would like to ask.
Well. At least we get daily updates now on his condition and we have already sent a package.
I wouldn’t ecpect much help from the State Department, they stood by and watched 4 of their own die and did nothing.
Now that Hillary is deathly ill from a concussion she didn’t even get medical help for (at least I haven’t read an article about her seeing a physician), there isn’t much going on at State.Not that there would be if she were there instead of sitting home with Huma.
Agreed
I never received a reply from Washington at all. 0
The contacts we finally made was through repeated appeals.
I wonder when we became their employees instead of them being ours?
a couple of the biggest mistake George Bush ever made was in not cleaning out the State department the day he went to the White House. Appointing his token Colon Powell was another.
In a better world at a different time Mexico wouldn’t try this because the President of the United States wouldn’t stand for it. In a better world, the President wouldn’t allow a valiant Marine veteran like Jon Hammar suffer surrounded by Mexican drug cartel and chained to a bed like an animal in a pi$$hole mexican prison.
Is Obama at war with the United States Marines now?
P.S. Keep up the good work Steve and prayers up for Jon’s release.
I’m praying for you guys. I want him home. Many people in America country love and care about him.
Maybe ask Gov. Perry to help. He’s pretty good at dealing with the Mexicans. Maybe he can do a deal. Perry is not beyond paying someone off and the Mexicans are not beyond being paid off.
I messed up on “American country”. I meant just America.
Thank you my FRiend. That means a lot.
And yes. I miss Reagan.
And Amen on the Prayers
Gov Perry?
Uh
Hummmmmmm
Another avenue. Thank you
Only thing is the Silver Star Families are on the hook for any “fines”
Smiles
When you guys go to Perry, I will write and ask for him to help. I live in Texas.
Outstanding
THANK YOU!
With all the Texans on this forum, I am sure if we asked, most every one of them would be willing to call/fax Governor Perry for the sake of our Marine. There are a couple who know him personally.
If you make contact with him, please let us know!
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