To encourage and fortify relationships between military service members, veterans, their families, their friends, and their Country; to nurture the path of communication for everyone, ensuring that no one is alone or left behind; and proving that we have not, are not, and will never forget the nobility of their sacrifices.

Monday, November 15, 2010

A Blue Star Mother Asks For Help For Her Son's Freedom


Today I was contacted through the local Susanville Soaring Eagle Blue Star Mom's asking for help. Lorina Moody's son, Nicholas Moody who served as a Corporal in the Nevada Army National Guard and who is a Veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan has been arrested in Abu Dhabi airport.  Moody was on his way home from Iraq, were he had been working for a private security company when he was arrested at the Abu Dhabi airport. According to his mother the charges against Moody are possession of accessories related to firearms. His mother says the items in his possession were pertinent to his job and not dangerous. Apparently the problem stems from a forced lay over Moody experienced while waiting for his return flight to the US. He was arrested when he attempted to board his plane home.

Moody's court date is November 29th.

Lawyers have assured Moody's Mother UAE government officials respond favorably to US officials concerns. Nicholas's case weigh heavily on getting US Representatives involved. The Moody family are asking for repeated, non-stop contact until this case is resolved. They are asking that you contact your State Representatives as well as Federal Agencies. Knowing the power of social media the family has started a facebook page you can join here. The family also encourages the word to be spread on facebook, twitter, email, and any other way you can think of.

Below is a sample letter you are free to copy and use as a guideline for your own letter. There is also the contact information for the top Federal Employees. To find your States Representatives visit http://www.contactingthecongress.org/ for phone, fax, and email contact information.


Sample Letter

Congressman XXXXXX

It has recently come to my attention that one of our own, Nicholas Moody, needs our immediate assistance. We need you to please look into this matter and ask questions.

On September 29th 2010, Nicholas Moody was returning from Iraq to the United States where he was working as a security guard with a private security company. Nicholas was arrested at the Abu Dhabi airport on charges of possession of accessories related to firearms. The items in his possession were pertinent to his job and not dangerous. This event occurred due to the layover time between flights. Mr. Moody had to stay overnight in Abu Dhabi in order to catch the connecting flight to the United States the following morning. When he went to catch his flight the next day he was arrested.

My concern is that this young man did nothing wrong. He is a veteran who is a corporal in the Nevada Army National Guard. Nicholas has served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has sacrificed for us and now desperately needs our support to get him out of this unfortunate situation.

It has come to my attention that the family has been informed that our government offers no assistance in regard to this situation. This is deplorable! Not just someone, but everyone involved in our global security should be concerned and asking questions about how this could have happened and how can we help resolve this situation and how we can keep this from happening again.

Our soldiers with our all-volunteer military deserve our support, whether they are on active duty or not. Nicholas Moody is an American citizen being detained in a foreign country due to a set of unfortunate events that he could not have foreseen or controlled. We need to get him home.

Nicholas has been sitting in Al Wathba Prison in Abu Dhabi for more than six weeks awaiting process of his case.

I am asking you as a taxpayer, as a voter and most importantly as a patriot of this great country, to involve yourself immediately. To ask questions and get answers about this case. 
Nicholas Moody has an Abu Dhabi court date of November 29th. We have heard that his case will be greatly impacted by United States interest.
PLEASE WE NEED YOU TO ACT NOW!
 President Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Fax 202-456-2461
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Vice President Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Fax 202-456-2461
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax 202-647-1579
202-647-4000
http://contact-us.state.gov/cgi-bin/state.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates
U.S. Department of Defense
1400 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1400
Fax 703-571-8951
703-571-3343
http://www.defense.gov/landing/siteform.aspx

Janet Napolitano
Secretary of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528
Operator Number: 202-282-8000
Comment Line: 202-282-8495
http://www.dhs.gov/xutil/contactus.shtm
 

2 comments:

Suzee Snedden said...

My heart aches for Nick and his family. We are part of his Army family here in Reno and we are anxiously awaiting his return home. It's a travesty that he was put in such a position. To be forced on a layover in a country/area that he had no knowledge of their laws, only to be imprisoned by them because of his possessions,(which btw were not illegal where he was intended to travel) is a huge injustice to Nick. I think our government officials need to do all they can to get this poor kid out of jail. He shouldn't have been detained in the first place. I really hope everyone contributes to the cause. Some of the links provided above are as simple as sending an email.
Nick, you are in our thoughts and prayers brother. Be strong...
Love,

The Sneddens

Anonymous said...

To whom it may concern, please help this young man Nick return home to his family. He is a loyal American and soldier and was on his way home carrying nothing but his holster and other item in his possession. There was no attempt on his part to cause harm or destruction to anyone. Therefore, he should have legal government council and found innocent of all accusations against him. As a member of Boquet-Breaux Post 7755 in Bourg, Louisiana I pray that you involve yourselves into seeing that that young man is legally counciled and returned to his home and family
Sincerely
Tunisia LeBouef