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Remains of US Contractors Found in Iraq

By MATT APUZZO,
AP
Posted: 2008-03-24 20:27:55
WASHINGTON (March 24) - Authorities have recovered the remains of two U.S. contractors who were kidnapped in Iraq more than a year ago, the FBI said Monday.

The men were among six Western contractors kidnapped in separate incidents. Their disappearance received new attention earlier this month when the severed fingers of several men were sent to the U.S. military in Iraq.

The FBI identified the contractors Monday as Ronald Withrow of Roaring Springs, Texas, and John Roy Young of Kansas City, Mo.

Withrow worked for JPI Worldwide when he was kidnapped in January 2007. Young worked for Crescent Security Group when he was kidnapped in November 2006.

The FBI said it had notified the families of the two men.

Withrow's mother, Barbara Alexander, said an FBI agent delivered news of her son's death Sunday night.

"You just can't really be prepared for any news like that, especially when you had hope that your son is alive," Alexander said by phone from her home in Afton, Texas. "I know he's safe from all harm now. We're bringing him home. That was what our main concern was. And that they're not going to hurt him anymore."

Alexander read from what she said was the final entry in a notebook in which she addressed her son directly.

"I know God has taken you home. I'm just someone that's taken care of you," Alexander said. "It's hard to believe that you're gone. But you're in a more peaceful place than here. I'll see you when I can. Wait for me at the gates of heaven."

Young's mother, Sharon DeBrabander, said Monday that she had heard the reports but then said her family had been told by the FBI not to comment. She said she may be able to respond in a day or two.

In a brief statement, FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said the kidnapping was under investigation. The statement offered no details about the other missing men.

The other men still missing are: Paul Reuben, of Minneapolis; Jonathon Cote, of Getzville, N.Y.; Joshua Munns, of Redding, Calif.; and Bert Nussbaumer, of Vienna, Austria. A finger from each was received by the military recently. Young was abducted with those men but none of his fingers was sent to the U.S. military.

Cote's father, Francis Cote, said he had spoken to the families of Withrow and Young.

"We feel very sad that this is how it turned out. We wish it turned out a better way," he said from his home in Getzville, near Buffalo, N.Y.

He said he was holding out hope that his son was still alive but the recent discovery had dampened those hopes.

"Let me say this, I'm not as optimistic as I was in the past," he said.

Associated Press writers Ben Dobbin in Rochester, N.Y., and Schuyler Dixon in Dallas contributed to this report.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2008-03-24 15:35:59
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Recent Comments

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423 comments

lugotz25 02:53:57 PM Mar 26 2008

THE ONLY GOOD BUSH SUPPORTER IS A DEAD BUSH SUPPORTER

dbuck18 08:11:48 AM Mar 25 2008

GUT-LESS AND DICK-LESS CHENEY SAYS GW-MORON-BUSH WILL BEAR BIGGEST BURDEN FOR WAR???REALLY ASK THE FAMILIES OF THIOSE CONTRACTORS-DICK-LESS SHOULD JUST CONCENTRATE ON HIS WAR PROFITEERING FOR HALIBURTO LIKE THE GOOD LITTLE FASCIST HE IS.

spuppymom 05:19:56 AM Mar 25 2008

and sciences, and humanistic inquiry and folklore and music, just as much as the Greeks, and the Chinese, and the Rennaisance Italians- the Japanese - the Native American Indians- and everybody - just everybody- the Hawaiians - the Polynesians- oh yes- and the Africans and Eg;yptians- right there at the very beginning. And yes, the Jewish people, including Jesus. And the Roman and
British Empires, and Swedes kind of made pathways to all and helped to make it all
one world if for the wrong reasons at the time. So, how many people die on the US freeways and roads every year? Is ti more than 4000? Yes, I think it is. And I do believe that not all those deaths are necessary - Why not research how many die each single year alone. How many? And not all of those are by drunk drivers, are they? So, a lot of people are being very careless to the point of negligent homicide true ? Then be more careful in your own life, true ? A lot of people on this nations's highways have caused a hell of a

spuppymom 04:27:28 AM Mar 25 2008

What a tragedy of misunderstandings in so many ways, including both US and Middle East factions - and probably some people worldwide. What the US is striving to do is to get away from oil dependence, and not to let this product rule the world as if it were supporting every tyrant in the world. In case nobody here has noticed - US auto manufacturers, ADM for agriculture and auto industry et al,are spending their own profits to encourage safe alternatives to oil dependence, and there are others. We need to help the MIid East oil nations wean themselves away from their own dependence on oil riches as the basis of all their wealth and power and self esteem - because - it is ruining this world! It is like a monumental addiction and erases every vestige of creativity and true human self esteem. I think some of the oil sheiks of the 20th century realize this - that it has been destroying the true character and image of their cultures which gave us mathematics, and arts, and architecture, a

coolman60046 02:57:52 AM Mar 25 2008

protestors of the war again, why don't you burn your bras again and go to hell again.

saltymike77 12:41:58 AM Mar 25 2008

How many lives have to die for oil,?
This are people that have to sacrifice their life, People with Family, Life
Is not right. United States What is going on here you people are planing to destroy this country with every one living here there is something going on, you guys sold America out you guys are ****** selling this country out .
Babylon-Babylon have fallen Babylon the great have fallen.

yankeedudejd 11:58:21 PM Mar 24 2008

Isn't this country democratic? Doesn't eveyone vote on things? The war is extremely unpopular, yet it is still happening against the will of the American population.
For all of you who complain should do something about it. You say that we should not be there in the first place, it was a stupid idea, etc. Yet, if you want to complaing sucessfully, you must do something about it. Take action. Unfortunatly that does not happen to much in this country.
Change this. *hint*

boyadj45 10:40:25 PM Mar 24 2008

bush is not a terrorists, he is just an idot, he may even be a very good person, but he is still an idiot.

republicanscourg 10:19:28 PM Mar 24 2008

"Many people post comments calling the president a terrorist. I have one question, had you rather have the terrorists attacking us here in the United States again?
"

======================
I see you have another one of those Bush platitudes ingrained in your head,

jembenz 09:58:34 PM Mar 24 2008

if bush wouls seal the borders like the airports are sealed,then we would not have to worry about terrorists coming in. the mexican border is wide open and drugs and gansters are coming through into this country.commiting crimes and going back to mexico. they are like yo yos back and forth. Up till a few years ago the canadian border was unguarded from 12:00 am till 8:00 am. wide open. home land security is a farce. Thank God we will have a new Democratic president in January.and he will clean house in Washington we hope. From top to bottom

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