SSGT Matt Maupin
We would be remiss if we didn’t take a moment to join with the thousands who recalled the life of Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin, former Iraq war POW/MIA, over the past weekend. A little over a year ago, we posted a piece marking the third anniversary of Matt’s capture featuring a note from NH Blue Star Mother Sue Peterson. Among the words she wrote were these:
I had remembered slightly about a soldier that was captured and either a POW/MIA. This information was stored way in the back of my mind…I am sorry to say. After becoming a Blue Star Mom, I went to the National BSM’s website and clicked on POW/MIA and read about the numbers that are still missing. I went to the parents’ website and was moved to tears to think that as a Mom I could "forget" a son that was a POW/MIA. I emailed Keith, the father of Matt, and told him I was sorry and that I would never forget Matt or the others.
Just prior to would have been the fourth anniversary, Matt’s remains were found in Iraq, not far from where he was captured back on April 9th, 2004. He would be a POW/MIA soldier no longer. He would finally come home.
As reported by the AP via Google,
Military workers and supporters from across the country joined in memorials Sunday for a slain Army reservist who had become a poignant picture of the war in Iraq after he was captured by insurgents.
Officials estimated that about 10,000 people walked past Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin’s casket during a weekend visitation at a civic center in Clermont County, east of Cincinnati, where he grew up. Another 4,000 headed Sunday to Great American Ball Park, home of the Cincinnati Reds, for an afternoon memorial service billed as a celebration.
Indeed. Matt Maupin might be gone from this earth, but he is definitely not forgotten.
It’s a celebration because his death was just a transition into a new life," The Rev. Dale Ellens, an Army chaplain, said at the service. "Today marks a day of both sadness and joy."
[snip]
"Matt Maupin was the all-American kid," said retired Lt. Gen. James Campbell, representing the Army at the service. "We are so proud of you. You have served your country with honor and distinction."
[snip]
"In his service, he became a son to all of Batavia and a son to all of Ohio," said Gov. Ted Strickland. "The Maupins heard the prayers of people from across the state and across the world."
And we’ll continue to hold them in our prayers and promise we will do our small part to see that Matt’s sacrifice is neither forgotten, nor in vain… May God Bless the Maupin family in their time of grief.