Body Identity Confirmed

Thu, 03/27/2008 – 15:44

The father of an Anderson High grad who was kidnapped in Iraq now knows for sure he will not see his son alive, but he says he will someday be reunited with his boy. The FBI now says there is no doubt Josh Munns is dead, more than a year after he was taken hostage with four other private security contractors in Iraq. Mark Munns, Josh’s father, got the call late Wednesday night. At first, he kept avoiding their calls, since he knew if he answered, all hope would be lost. He eventually took it and learned one of three bodies found in Iraq was Josh. One of Josh’s fellow captives, Paul Reuben of Minneapolis, was confirmed as a second victim. Tests are not finished on a third body. The remains of two others, John Young and Ronald Withrow, were identified on Sunday. He says that 16 months, the time Josh was missing, is not long enough to prepare a father for the crushing news. Mark and his wife are in Minnesota for a meeting with the families of the other hostages, which is set for Friday. Mark says that his dad and brother are starting to plan a funeral, but they do not know when Josh’s body will be returned to the family.  –kcra tv

Mark, Josh’s father, was a very good friend of my brothers growing up.

What’s not mentioned in this article is that Josh’s severed fingers were sent to the government.

I can’t imagine the pain, frustration and hurt the friends and family.  Please pray for their strength as they wait for their son to be returned to them…if he is.