Remembering the Forgotten American Hostages: Jeffrey Ake
Jeffrey Ake was in Iraq to help the people of that country secure a safe water supply when, on
April 11th of this year, he was taken hostage. Days later a
video emerged of Ake. Jeffrey Ake has not been heard from since.
Former hostage Terry Anderson later recounted that realizing that the world was indifferent to the fate of Western hostages was nearly as bad as the torment administered on them daily.
We will not forget the fate of the hostages still held in Iraq. We urge you to keep them in your prayers.
Here is a little about Jeffrey Ake from the Indy Star:
The lack of attention on Jeffrey Ake baffles people here.
On April 11, when Ake was seized by gunmen outside Baghdad, the well-known and longtime LaPorte resident was national news. He was in Iraq doing business as the country rebuilds, helping to build a water bottling plant...
The townsfolk sprang to action the way people do in such a crisis: They tied ribbons around trees in their yards, they spelled out "Pray for Jeff Ake" on the signs at their businesses, they expressed fear and hope to the media that swarmed them, and they organized a candlelight vigil.
And then, suddenly, Ake was not news. The candlelight vigil was canceled. Ake's neighbors suddenly went silent.
Today, with the six-month anniversary of his disappearance coming Tuesday, Ake's whereabouts remain unknown. The equally nagging question beyond what happened to him is why folks in LaPorte are mum about it.
As it turns out, they're just trying to help.
"His wife asked us to have no comment, so that's what we're doing," said Mel Turner, who lives next door to the Ake family.
Liliana Ake asked everyone to keep quiet because the FBI, the agency investigating Ake's disappearance, recommended it.
Of course, the FBI's recommendation is inappropriate in Ake's case. If Ake is to be freed, it will not be because a ransom will be paid. So, why should it matter what his hostage takers ask?
Ake's only hope is that Coalition forces are tipped to his whereabouts and is freed, as Roy Hallums recently was. After six-months it should be clear that silence is not a winning strategy. Keeping Jeffrey Ake's name in the forefront of the news so that forces on the ground will keep an eye out for him, and so that local Iraqis know who they are looking for.
In the meantime, we pray for his speedy release.
Posted by: Rusty at
08:16 AM
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1
Yes Rusty a good idea. I'll keep an eye for his name.
Posted by: Howie at October 10, 2005 03:33 PM (gUlBw)
2
I'm glad to see you received my e-mail. I'm praying for Jeffrey Ake. I hope he's still alive and will be rescued by Delta Force or some special forces team. That's basically his only hope
Posted by: George Ramos at October 10, 2005 04:02 PM (hrpbg)
3
I'm glad to see you received my e-mail. I'm praying for Jeffrey Ake. I hope he's still alive and will be rescued by Delta Force or some special forces team. That's nasically his only hope
Posted by: George Ramos at October 10, 2005 04:02 PM (hrpbg)
4
I'm glad to see you received my e-mail. I'm praying for Jeffrey Ake. I hope he's still alive and will be rescued by Delta Force or some special forces team. That's basically his only hope
Posted by: George Ramos at October 10, 2005 04:03 PM (hrpbg)
5
Sorry for the triple posts. You can delete two of them if you want.
Posted by: George at October 10, 2005 04:06 PM (hrpbg)
6
Hi Rusty, I wanted to convey my prayers and sadness for the Ake family. I know exactly what they are going through and its absolutely horrible. Your emotions are so upset between the worry of your loved one and the enormous frustration of no information.It's so painful. I still strongly disagree that zero info should be given to the family. I am so happy to have Roy FREE. Our family will always remember our pain and suffering. I believe in prayer vigils ,I feel its in Gods hands, my public efforts instead of silent efforts got the attention of the wonderful Senator Feinstein . She called congressional meetings with all the govt agencies that pressed for MORE EFFORT. Roy thanked me for what we did the first night he was home. It meant the world to me for his appreciation, he said he thought it helped. Thats all I needed to hear. I would do it all again but I hope and pray it would never be necessary! God Bless... Thanks again, Rusty
Susan Hallums
Posted by: Susan Hallums at October 10, 2005 05:04 PM (/2rOr)
7
Thank God ! I was beginning to think that I was the only person in the US that remembered Jeffery Ake. I will continue to pray for him and that he gets back home soon.
Posted by: Margie at October 10, 2005 10:55 PM (mj4KR)
8
Why do those miserble coward wear the hoods over their heads are they afraid to show their dirty face in public knowing someone would probibly slit their throats if they knew
Posted by: sandpiper at October 11, 2005 01:48 PM (JyNSh)
9
I just wanted to check and see if anyone had anything new here. Will continue to pray - time has shown in some cases that these cowards give up and release the hostages. We can only hope and continue to pray that this is the case with Jeff.
Posted by: michelle at October 12, 2005 03:38 PM (WQZYa)
10
I have been doing a search on Jeffrey every week for months praying to see something about a safe return or atleast knowledge that he is still with us. I will keep praying.
Posted by: Steve at October 13, 2005 11:13 AM (rgkjI)
11
Jeff is constantly on my mind, I pray for his safe return, however the aggravated circumstances caused by our flim flam Govt. hastens his demise. I worked on a business deal with jeff back in the 80's, He is a great guy. I hope that he is still alive and that he returns to his loved ones.
Posted by: Steve at October 26, 2005 12:53 AM (r2NEm)
12
I am from Jeffrey ake's hometown and personally know his family. everybody here is still hush hush in the papers and most people i know are wondering as well. there are still signs up in town and will be until he's home. unfortunately what brings me to your site today is the rumor that jeff was confirmed dead heard by a few people by a local fox news station. if anyone else hears anything please post. god bless Jeff and Family
Posted by: dave at November 29, 2005 03:19 PM (SYNPl)
13
We can never let Jeffrey or anyone who has been taken or harmed leave our thoughts.. Lets dothe right thing and find this man and bring him home to his family...
Posted by: Scott at November 30, 2005 12:12 AM (e9lGr)
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