[Graybeard58]

Matt Maupin from Union Twp.Ohio serves with the 724th. Transportation Company based in Bartonville, Illinois. After a year in Iraq some members of that company including my son Steve (Screen name: "smaagee") arrived back home on Thanksgiving day. It has been brought home to me that I am a fortunate parent in that I have my son back home. I feel that Matt Maupin is my son too and the son or brother of every member of Free Republic and a son or brother of every freedom loving American. Pray for Matt's safe return and pray for his family.

Please forgive the unsolicited pings. I want everybody who might be interested to know about Matt and to remember him.

More links about Matt and pictures may be found at:

http://www.cincinnati.com/news/maupin/

[Graybeard58]

Ping

[Graybeard58]

This should be a clickable link:

http://www.cincinnati.com/news/maupin/

[Graybeard58]

Ping

[MoJo2001]

Graybeard: Thank you for posting this article regarding Matt Maupin. God Bless you and your son, smaagee! The Canteen is so excited that he made it home safely.

I'm sure many of you on this thread may not realize this, but Graybeard's son wanted to help some of the Orphaned Iraqi children he met and thus, he began collecting items for those kids.

Ping Star, Mr.Tonkin, and Kathy!

[HairOfTheDog]

Good morning smaagee's dad, and thanks for the reminder about Matt's story. To remind everyone, he's with the same company in Iraq that smaagee was in. I know all in the hobbit hole will continue to pray for Matt's return home.

[Nosterrex]

My heart goes out to any of the loved ones of those that have wounded, missing, or killed ones in Iraq or Afghanistan. The terrorist hope to weaken America's resolve by taking prisoners or hostages, and the various news outlets serve the terrorists purposes by spreading such human interest stories. I hate to do anything that serves the interests of these terrorists.

[retrokitten]

Thanks for the ping. I had to stop reading several times so I wouldn't be a blubbering mess at my desk.

[tuckrdout]

Thank you so much for posting this thread. I shall pray for Matt and his family.

One can have faith that the boy will return! I hope the family has read "Escape in Iraq" by Thomas Hamill. It is full of hope.

[Wneighbor]

I feel that Matt Maupin is my son too and the son or brother of every member of Free Republic and a son or brother of every freedom loving American. Pray for Matt's safe return and pray for his family.

I feel that too Graybeard. On Thanksgiving Day as I sat with my son-in-law at the head of the table we were all so thankful that Tom was here with us this year. But, we had the sense that our prayer vigil must be stronger than ever for those who are still in danger.

Last year, Tom was in Baghdad. This year, he was at the head of the table with me, my daughter and their 4 children, and our prayer was for those still away from their families. For me, there was still a great sense of having children I missed in the war zone. I know it won't stop till Matt and all the others are home.

[Kitty Mittens]

Tearful Thank You for the Ping, Graybeard. I will be Praying on bended knee, with all my heart, that Matt comes back to the arms of his family.

[Former Military Chick]

One should never apologize for pinging to such an important article, Greybeard. It appears that many who replied care deeply of the condition of SPC Maupin.

As I said in a previous post on the thread, I had tried to find a way to have a MIA/POW bracelent and met with resistence. I frankly cannot understand why, there is every chance he is alive and waiting to be found, to know that there are many who wore his name, to not forget one of our FINEST would be an honor and to give to him when he returned what be the best, if anyone has any other ideas how to accomplish this, please let me know!

Here is an article I had posted a while back.

Maupin family holds out hope (we must NOT forget this fine soldier - please take time to read)

[endthematrix]

I won't forget!

[Graybeard58]

BTTT

Remember Matt.