Posted on 11/04/2005 1:45:17 PM PST by LadyShallott
I would like to start a holiday thread for Matt Maupin and his family. We have so many great memories of family during this time of year. I dont want this Buckeye to be forgotten. Please keep it current and bumped.
Born on July 13, 1983 in Batavia, Ohio, Maupin was a 3.5 grade-point-average student and football player at Glen Este High School in Union Township, Clermont County, Ohio. He graduated in 2001 and joined the U.S. Army Reserve and was assigned to the Army Reserve's 724th Transportation Company, from Bartonville, Illinois.
On April 9, 2004, Maupin's fuel convoy came under attack near the Baghdad International Airport. He was reported as disappeared (technically missing in action) along with Sgt. Elmer Krause and a small group of private military contractors from Kellogg, Brown and Root, which included hostage Thomas Hamill, who was later rescued.
On April 16, 2004, the face of Maupin was broadcast on a videotape by the Arabic-language TV network Al-Jazeera. The tape, reportedly delivered to the U.S. embassy in Doha, Qatar, raised hopes that Maupin was still alive. In the video, the soldier identified himself as "Private First Class Keith Matthew Maupin", a standard procedure followed by prisoners of war which protect their rights under the Third Geneva Convention. On June 28, 2004, Al-Jazeera reported that Maupin was executed by a group identifying itself as the Persistent Power Against the Enemies of God and the Prophet. The method of execution in the alleged report was a gunshot to the head.
Maupin has been promoted twice since he was declared missing in action, first from Private First Class to Specialist, and then to Sergeant. As of April 6, 2005 he is the only U.S. soldier unaccounted for in Iraq.
While April 9, 2006 is certainly not a holiday, it is Matt Maupin's 2nd anniversary as POW/MIA (not disappeared or whatever other name the government wants to attach). In any event, I am a member of Rolling Thunder, Inc., Chapter 1, CO. On Sunday, April 9th, we are sponsoring a vigil in Matt's honor in the town of Morrison, Colorado. What began as a small event has now mushroomed into a very large event. Currently we are guessing thousands will attend. We really won't know til Sunday, but that is the feedback we are getting. We have not forgotten and will never forget. Our prayers are with Matt and his family daily. Please keep praying for them and all of our service members.
Bob Graham
Matt..Its been some time since I posted on the thread. You have not been forgotten. May you come home and rest in peace.
I am sorry for the delay. How was the vigil? Please report the details. We would like to know. Thank you for all the hard work. It will never be forgotten.
Thanks for the bump. Prayers for Matt Maupin and his family.
BTTT
Continuing prayers for both Matt and Captain Michael Scott Speicher.
Holding them in our memory if not in our arms.
Prayer bump.
I join in these very worthy prayers.
Thinking of Matt. Prayers continue.
Matt is always with me....I am wearing an MIA/POW bracelet with his name on it...it will stay on my wrist until he is found.
Irish49
BUMP — I have mine too. I have the same determination.
Dear Lord,
Please comfort the Maupin family as
only You can do.
In Jesus’ name I pray this humble prayer.
Amen.
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