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March 30, 2008
Sgt Keith Matthew "Matt" Maupin
On April 9, 2004, terrorists kidnapped then PFC Keith "Matt" Maupin, assigned to the Army Reserve 724th Transportation Company, when his convoy of fuel trucks was ambushed while enroute from Camp Anaconda to Baghdad International Airport. He had been in Iraq for six weeks.
A week later, Al Jazeera aired a video that included Maupin giving his name, rank and serial number, indicating that he was being held by a group known as the "Sharp Sword Against the Enemies of God and His Prophet". The group indicated that they would be willing to trade Maupin for prisoners being held by the U.S.
Two months later, another video showed a man in desert camouflage, sitting in front of a hole in the ground. The man, identified as Maupin, was shown only from the back...and then, apparently, was shot in the head. A statement released with the video claimed that Maupin had been killed because the U.S. refused to negotiate the release of Iraqi prisoners.
The figure sitting in the dirt was only shown from behind, so there was no proof that it was Maupin. Despite thousands of tips, an Arabic-language commercial aired several hundred times in Iraq, and a $200,000 reward for the return or recovery of Maupin, the trail grew cold. Matt was not considered “missing in action” and he was not considered a “prisoner of war” either. He was just… gone. We hoped... and we prayed.... and we waited...
And now, almost four years later, Matt Maupin is coming home:
His resting place shall be in the Garden of Eden.
Therefore, the Master of mercy will care for him
under the protection of His wings for all time
And bind his soul in the bond of everlasting life.
God is his inheritance and he will rest in peace
and let us say Amen.
Maupins Confirm D-N-A is from Body of Son, Missing Soldier Matt Maupin
(UNION TOWNSHIP, OH) -- Keith Maupin confirmed this afternoon that the remains of his son, Matt Maupin, have been identified by the army in Iraq.
In a statement Keith said "We are proud of the continued efforts of the military and the army to return Matt to us. We must now work on efforts to return Matt.'
"Please keep the military and our family in your prayers."
Carolyn Maupin, Matt's mother said, "Thanks to everyone for their prayers and continued strength of the family."
"It hurts after four years of hope and this is what happens it is like a let down for me and I'm trying to get thru that right now."
"Pray. This is going to be very difficult and stay by our side in support."
Keith says that the family was informed this afternoon about 1p-m by a three star general. The body was identified by the D-N-A remains.
Please, take a moment today, visit Matt's parents' website, sign the guestbook, and let his family know that you care.
Posted by LindaSoG at March 30, 2008 08:05 PM
Comments
I'm so very sorry. This breaks my heart in two.
Thanks for the heads up LindaSoG. Bless the family, Dear Lord.
Posted by: Stepperg at March 30, 2008 09:11 PM
I can imagine how they feel, but it's not the same thing. However they believe, God be with them.
Posted by: Firehand at April 1, 2008 12:19 PM
I'm glad SSG Maupin is finally home, although this is not the way I wanted.
Posted by: Kevin K. at April 1, 2008 10:46 PM