MEDWAY – About 40 people from a local veterans group gathered Saturday to offer their support to Doug Borland of Grindstone, the father of one of the 24 crew members being held in China.

Cryptologic Technician Seaman Bradford Borland was among the crew on board the U.S. Navy spy plane that was forced to make an emergency landing a week ago on the island of Hainan after a Chinese jet fighter collided with it.

Top American officials report the crew members are in good health.

Recognizing the stress Doug Borland is under, anxiously watching the delicate talks between the United States and China and awaiting the safe return of his son, the local veterans group wanted to let the Grindstone man know he was not alone.

“This was a stress breaker for him just so he would know other people are hoping and praying along with him,” said Alwin Cox, the adjutant of the Medway DAV Bernard L. Coro Post Chapter 22.

Cox said Borland, a Marine veteran, is a life member of the DAV chapter. He said veterans all have a special common bond.

The veterans group, its ladies auxiliary and scouts opened the special gathering with a prayer for the safe return of Borland’s son and the other crew members. The group hopes to hold a special homecoming for Borland’s son in the future.