Oregon Public Broadcasting

People in Hailey, Idaho are closely following the story of two U.S. sailors in Afghanistan. One has been killed, the other has not yet been found. The Seattle Times reports the missing servicemember is from Seattle. Hailey is the hometown of Bowe Bergdahl, the only American known to be held captive by the Taliban.

Doug Nadvornick / Northwest News Network

A yellow ribbon in honor of Hailey, Idaho native Bowe Bergdahl who has been held captive for 13 months by the Taliban.

Hailey resident Tim Marsano says the news of the sailors is on the mind -- and lips -- of people in the central Idaho resort town.

Tim Marsano: "People here are very connected to the situation with these servicemembers. They know what it's like for a community to undergo difficulty when a servicemember has been captured."

Marsano is the public affairs officer for the Idaho Army National Guard. He's also been acting as spokesperson for Bowe Bergdahl's parents.

They've kept a low public profile since they learned their son was taken hostage.

Tim Marsano: "The Bergdahl family have expressed their sympathy for the family of these individuals, having gone through a very difficult time over the last year."

Community members have kept Bergdahl's memory alive by flying yellow ribbons in his honor. The town recently marked the one-year anniversary of his capture by replacing old weathered ribbons with fresh new ones.