Marine veteran, Jon Hammar, came into the spotlight during the Christmas season when images of him chained to a bed in a Mexican prison surfaced. His family and friends were calling for the 27-year-old's release from the Mexican jail. He had been arrested for bringing an antique shotgun that had belonged to his grandfather across the border to do some bird hunting after border authorities had said it was okay. His Bible helped him through the four-month ordeal.
"Hammar asked the U.S. agents how to follow the law, and he was told he just needed to fill out a permit and declare the gun to Mexican authorities. Hammar was arrested and thrown in prison anyway." – Fox News
Jon Hammar's Bible provided by American Consulate
When Hammar arrived at the prison initially, they tried to extort money from him. The American Consulate was contacted and Jon was locked away from the general prison population for his own protection. His cell was a supply closet with a bed. He was often only given one meal a day and for a short time was even chained to his bed. The days were long. He spent his time reading two books given to him by the American Consulate: The Last Stand of Fox Company and the Bible. In an O'Reilly Factor exclusive interview with Fox's Bill O'Reilly, Hammar said he read the whole Old Testament and most of the New Testament.
Doesn't harbor bitterness
By the time Hammar was released he was dehydrated and malnourished. "I had a lung infection and stomach issues," he told the O'Reilly Factor host.
It would be easy to hold a grudge after experiencing such hardship. Hammar was facing a possible 12-year sentence on trumped up charges, endured extortion attempts, violence, and neglect. Now that he is home he says that he doesn't harbor any bitterness against the Mexican people. "I think Mexico is a great place," he said, but add that he just wishes that, "everywhere could kind of get its act together."
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