“(We’re) really surprised at the people who are calling — they are hate calls, they’re not just people voicing an opinion,” she said. “The girls just don’t even… we’re all just absolutely in shock, we don’t know how to respond to that to tell you quite truthfully.”

For its part, the Army has sent mixed messages by first saying they were promoting Bergdahl — who was never declared AWOL — but then announcing on Tuesday that they could still pursue an investigation against Bergdahl for leaving his post.

The mayor of Hailey has asked people to reserve judgement.

Mayor Fritz Haemmerle released a written statement saying the city has been inundated with phone calls and emails.

The mayor said the negative comments raise some important points, but he asked that people not pre-judge Bergdahl, and instead wait for any investigation to unfold.