Idaho town to celebrate soldier's release, despite backlash

HAILEY, Idaho (Reuters) - A hometown celebration of Bowe Bergdahl's release from five years of Taliban captivity in Afghanistan will go on this month as planned, despite a growing backlash over allegations the U.S. Army sergeant was a deserter, friends and supporters say.

Days after the small mountain community of Hailey, Idaho, erupted in elation over news that he had been freed in a prisoner exchange with the Taliban, the festive mood in town has been tempered by claims from former members of his combat unit that Bergdahl had deliberately abandoned his post.