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Thousands attend Ballpark funeral held in Ohio for long-missing soldier (Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin)
MyWay ^ | 4/27/2008 | TERRY KINNEY

Posted on 04/27/2008 4:07:25 PM PDT by XR7

CINCINNATI (AP) - 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.

Thousands walked past Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin's casket during a daylong visitation at a civic center in Clermont County, east of Cincinnati, where he grew up. Many of them headed to Great American Ball Park, home of the Cincinnati Reds, for an afternoon memorial service.

The crowd occupied the lower portion of the 42,000-seat stadium, behind home plate, stretching from first base to third.

Maupin's flag-draped casket was on a platform in the area of the pitcher's mound. The only people on the field were members of the 338th Army band and about 100 family members, military representatives and dignitaries.

"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."

Maupin's remains were found in Iraq last month, nearly four years after he was captured when his fuel convoy was attacked near Baghdad on April 9, 2004. He became the face of the war for many Americans after the Arab television network Al-Jazeera aired a videotape in April 2004 showing him wearing camouflage and a floppy desert hat, sitting on a floor surrounded by five masked men holding automatic rifles.

Members of his unit, the Illinois-based 724th Transportation Co., were among those on the field Sunday.

"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."

Maupin, a 20-year-old private first class when he disappeared, was listed as missing-captured until a tip from local Iraqis led to the discovery of his remains on the outskirts of Baghdad, about 12 miles from where the convoy was ambushed.

The Army had promoted Maupin three times since his capture, to keep his military career on a par with his contemporaries in case he survived. At a private ceremony with his family on Saturday, the Army awarded Maupin the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, the POW Medal and other commendations.

Since his capture, the Yellow Ribbon Support Center founded by his parents, Keith and Carolyn Maupin, has sent nearly 10,000 packages of toiletries, magazines, snacks and games to soldiers. They have said that work will continue.

__

On the Net:

http://www.yellowribbonsupportcenter.com

http://www.mattmaupin.us/


TOPICS: Front Page News; US: Ohio; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: fallen; maupin; restinpeace; soldier

1 posted on 04/27/2008 4:07:25 PM PDT by XR7
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To: XR7

Please tell me that Phelps and his mob didn’t show up.


2 posted on 04/27/2008 4:08:28 PM PDT by Non-Sequitur
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To: Non-Sequitur

I doubt that Phelps and crew could escape with their lives if they had showed up for this funeral.


3 posted on 04/27/2008 4:11:00 PM PDT by Farmer Dean (168 grains of instant conflict resolution)
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To: XR7

Rest in peace, faithful patriot.


4 posted on 04/27/2008 4:12:58 PM PDT by Faith
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To: XR7


5 posted on 04/27/2008 4:18:01 PM PDT by Earthdweller (All reality is based on faith in something.)
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To: XR7
Deepest condolence to the family.

One of the original FR threads:

U.S. soldier captured in Iraq (17 April, 2004)

There are several other FR threads under the keyword: Maupin

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/maupin/

6 posted on 04/27/2008 4:18:16 PM PDT by TomGuy
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7 posted on 04/27/2008 4:20:21 PM PDT by HokieMom
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To: XR7

From another article at the site:

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.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080427/D90AGFU80.html

R.I.P. SSG Maupin
We will not forget you


8 posted on 04/27/2008 4:21:03 PM PDT by Just A Nobody (PISSANT for President '08 - NEVER AGAIN...Support our Troops! Beware the ENEMEDIA)
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To: All

Rest in peace Matt, May God bless you and your service!


9 posted on 04/27/2008 4:23:13 PM PDT by Poetgal26 (God bless the US Military and our vets! (RIP Sgt Matthew Maupin))
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To: XR7
Insurgents Execute U.S. Army Pfc. "Matt" Maupin?: Pro-Hanoi activism by Senators Kerry and McCain helped strip Pfc. Maupin of any protection under the 1949 Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War by Ted Sampley
10 posted on 04/27/2008 4:25:57 PM PDT by HokieMom
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To: XR7
Photobucket

Into the arms of God..

11 posted on 04/27/2008 4:29:11 PM PDT by MaxMax (It's not the politics I despise, It's the politicians for being so stupid..)
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To: XR7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNX900oEXD8


12 posted on 04/27/2008 5:04:29 PM PDT by mware (mware...killer of threads.)
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