Michelle Malkin » Thousands turn out for Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin’s homecoming

Thousands turn out for Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin’s homecoming

By Michelle Malkin • April 28, 2008 08:37 PM

At the end of March, I blogged about the discovery of missing Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin’s body in Iraq.

This weekend, thousands upon thousands of mourners turned out in Cincinnati to pay tribute to the fallen soldier:

Yes, there were many tears at Great American Ball Park on Sunday afternoon and later at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, as Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin was finally laid to rest.

But they were not all tears of sorrow.

Pride, love, appreciation for those who wear the uniform – those produced tears, too.

For the 3,502 who came through the turnstiles to pay their respects, for the 3,000 members of the Patriot Guard who remained outside, and for the small group of family and friends who buried him with military honors in a private ceremony later in the afternoon, the final chapter of the Clermont County soldier’s saga was about both healing and thanksgiving. It was for healing the hurt of a family that had endured a four-year nightmare, and for thanksgiving that such young men and women are willing to sacrifice all for their country.

They came to witness the final chapter of a story that gripped the hearts of thousands here and elsewhere around the country for nearly four years – the story of a 20-year-old Army Reservist, assigned to guard a convoy near the Baghdad airport in April 2004 when a brutal attack by Iraqi insurgents left two of his fellow soldiers dead and him a captive.

Next to nothing was known of his fate until his body was found last month by U.S. soldiers northwest of Baghdad.

“In his service, he became a son to all of Batavia and a son to all of Ohio,” Gov. Ted Strickland said. “The Maupins heard the prayers of people from across the state and across the world.”

Two of the monsters involved in his murder have been sentenced to death in Iraq: “Two men responsible for the death of Sergeant Matt Maupin are sentenced to the death penalty. The army reservist’s father says the two men were convicted of crimes against the Iraqi nation. The Maupins spent about an hour with Pentagon officials [last] Thursday afternoon.”

The President sent the following letter:

Reader Phil e-mails:

Although it is sad that Matt’s remains were finally discovered, at least maybe his family can now have closure and move on with their lives. I am a retired Army Major and have worked as a Defense contractor since retiring in 2004. I was attached to 1st Armored Division 2004-2006 and met the unit in Baghdad. Matt’s capture was
uppermost in everyone’s mind then. Each year on the date of Matt’s capture/disappearance, the 1AD Commanding General would ask for a moment’s quiet and remind everyone that Matt was still missing. We don’t forget our own and refuse to leave them on the field of battle – alive or dead! Some of us take the Ranger Creed to heart; maybe it is
because I started out in a Ranger Battalion.

~ For the latest breaking news, be sure to join Michelle's e-mail list ~

Posted in: Iraq

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Comments

#1

On April 28th, 2008 at 8:39 pm, Jeddite said:

God rest and God bless our fine young soldier.

RIP.
#2

On April 28th, 2008 at 8:49 pm, josetheguerilla said:

SSGT Maupin RIP. My prayers are with the Maupin family.
#3

On April 28th, 2008 at 8:54 pm, right_on said:

Rest In Peace, Sarge!
#4

On April 28th, 2008 at 8:55 pm, Billy Mays said:

Welcome home Matt.

Salute
#5

On April 28th, 2008 at 8:56 pm, rightisright said:

thank you for your service and protection…what a fine soldier and American.

R.I.P.
#6

On April 28th, 2008 at 8:59 pm, letget said:

I, as well as my husband, want to ask God to give comfort to the family of Sgt. Maupins. Our country is blessed to have such a wonderful military and family members. Thank you.
L
#7

On April 28th, 2008 at 9:04 pm, StephC said:

R.I.P

My prayers are with his family, and with all of our troops in harms way.
#8

On April 28th, 2008 at 9:22 pm, terristeelmagnolia said:

God bless Sgt. Maupin and his family.
#9

On April 28th, 2008 at 9:48 pm, Tennessee Dave said:

I have always believed this quote:

The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war. Douglas MacArthur

On this day, a man of honor, courage, dignity, and integrity has been laid to rest. He suffered the deepest wound and paid the ultimate price. May SSgt Matt Maupin rest in peace.
Tennessee Dave, MSgt
Tenn Air National Guard
#10

On April 28th, 2008 at 9:51 pm, zorro said:

May his Soul and all the Souls of the Faithfully departed Rest in Peace.
#11

On April 28th, 2008 at 9:53 pm, kevin45 said:

Michelle here is a video tribute for sgt maupin put together by a good friend of his family please watch and pass it on

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwGLEm4Bggk
#12

On April 28th, 2008 at 9:55 pm, DarkKnight said:

May God rest Matt Maupin’s soul. I pray for all of those soldiers who have served. They deserve our utmost gratitude and respect.
#13

On April 28th, 2008 at 10:21 pm, spo-con said:

Thank you young man, for standing on the wall for us………….
#14

On April 28th, 2008 at 10:29 pm, undrseige247 said:

The rule of God’s kingdom is perfect order, perfect supply, perfect love, perfect honesty, perfect obedience. There is no discord in God’s kingdom, only some things still unconquered in God’s children. May you find abundant peace and harmony in the Spirit of the Lord.
#15

On April 28th, 2008 at 10:34 pm, Trunk Monkey said:

The only way to honor him is to finish what we started in Iraq. These young men and women volenterred to do OUR work, the least we can do is give them the chance to succeed.
#16

On April 28th, 2008 at 10:36 pm, CFreiberg said:

As a Cincinnatian, I say I am proud of Matt Maupin and our community in how we supported the Maupin family (as well as other military families). The local tv stations cut into regular programming to air the funeral, which I was able to watch on tv.

It is refreshing for once to see something good come out of Cincinnati.
#17

On April 28th, 2008 at 11:07 pm, shooter said:

Matt Maupin and family,
We can never thank you enough.

Honorable men like Matt and families like yours keep this great country and the world free.
I thank you from, AND FOR, my family.
#18

On April 28th, 2008 at 11:27 pm, thefoundingfathers said:

God has a special place in heaven for souls like Matt, and a special place in hell for those who murdered him.
#19

On April 28th, 2008 at 11:35 pm, Little Ma said:

Rest in Peace in the arms of God, Matt. Thank you for your honorable service to our country. May God bless and comfort your family.

Lord, hear our prayer.
#20

On April 28th, 2008 at 11:40 pm, arabicspkr said:

as ive said before

tired of losing the best and brightest.

lets let them just win this freaking thing and get everyone home.

the gene pool keeps losing its best. no joke. we keep losing our bravest and strongest and we are left with the pansies in this nation and all over the collegiate system. its frustrating to see these ungrateful libs at school while our best are spilling their blood overseas.

what do you think happened to france? all their wars for 200 years, ending at ww2 tapped their population dry of all its brave men.
#21

On April 29th, 2008 at 12:17 am, mjtyson said:

“Not marble, nor the gilded monuments
Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme;
but you shall shine more bright in these contents
Than unswept stone, besmeared with sluttish time.
When wasteful war shall statues overturn,
And broils root out the work of masonry,
Nor Mars his sword nor war’s quick fire shall burn
The living record of your memory.
‘Gainst death and all-oblivious enmity
Shall you pace forth; your praise shall still find room
Even if the eyes of all posterity
That wear this world out to the ending doom.
So, till the judgment that yourself arise,
You live in this, and dwell in lovers’ eyes.”

RIP, SSGT Maupin
#22

On April 29th, 2008 at 12:27 am, lowandslow said:

.
#23

On April 29th, 2008 at 12:53 am, nyc123me said:

Godspeed.
#24

On April 29th, 2008 at 1:22 am, jaaakemm said:

“I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.”

– Abraham Lincoln on November 21, 1864, Letter to Lydia Bixby.

Garryowen.
#25

On April 29th, 2008 at 1:39 am, winemkr said:

God Damn America!

Don’t worry Matt, we have your back. The war now has two fronts, and we will fight on both fronts in your name and the name of all patriots who put their country above their personal desires.

Semper Fi doggy.
#26

On April 29th, 2008 at 7:57 am, GaMidnightRider said:

May God Bless and keep your family safe as you have paid the ultimate price keeping my family safe. May they never want for anything and if they need, I pray that I may be there to lend my heart, life and soul for yours as you have done for mine. Thank you for your service.
#27

On April 29th, 2008 at 8:00 am, 30 pcs of silver said:

SSGT Maupin – Rest in Peace. You are my hero.

The Maupin family, I pray that God blesses and keeps you.
#28

On April 29th, 2008 at 8:56 am, bjf182 said:

Living in Cincinnati, the celebration ceremony was carried live by several TV stations on Sunday. After the service concluded, my wife and I happened to catch the procession from GABP to the cemetery in person. The line of police escorts, Freedom Riders, and mourners was an impressive sight as the motorcade went north on I-71. The Maupin family have shown incredible strength during this ordeal, and have channeled their efforts into their Yellow Ribbon Support Center. Thank God for patriots like Matt.

http://www.yellowribbonsupportcenter.com/
#29

On April 29th, 2008 at 9:01 am, jrlingreenbay said:

God Bless You, Ssgt. Maupin, and your family. Rest in Peace, Soldier.

And thanks to my Ohio Patriot Guard Brethren – a presence of 3000? Outstanding!

Wisconsin PGR salutes you!
#30

On April 29th, 2008 at 9:35 am, DBNinKY said:

“…thousands upon thousands of mourners turned out in Cincinnati to pay tribute to the fallen soldier:”

The people in Cincinnati know how to show proper support for the troops. The condolences of all your neighbors across the mighty Ohio River, to everyone affected by this terrible loss of one so young.
#31

On April 29th, 2008 at 9:51 am, terrig said:

God Bless you SSGT Maupin and your parents. I was glad to see the turnout he received, it was wonderful.
I am happy he is finally home. I know there was always hope, but at least his family knows he is safe with God.
I had a professor in college whose father is still MIA from Viet Nam (an Air Force pilot) and she always said that she would just love to have a grave to visit, I am glad his family has that opportunity.
Isn’t it funny that the trolls never comment on threads like this? I know I have mentioned this before but it just reaffirms my belief that they have no love for those who serve, that they dispise them and that they don’t support them regardless of what they say or which uncle, etc. they claim that they love who served. They have the freedom to be keyboard warriors because of people like Matt.
Let’s not forget PFC Fouty, SGT Jimenez & SGT Altaie who are also still amongst the missing. Let us pray that their families are not forgotten either.
#32

On April 29th, 2008 at 10:20 am, maisy said:

I always wondered about this soldier…seemed to be forgotten by the press shortly after he disappeared……May he rest in PEACE!
#33

On April 29th, 2008 at 11:01 am, Sea_Dog said:

Though I walk through the valley of death, I fear no evil – Go with God Sgt. Maupin.
#34

On April 29th, 2008 at 11:10 am, emjem24 said:

My heart goes out to Staff Sgt. Maupin’s family. You were never forgotten in the family that is the Armed Forces. We never stopped trying to find you and, unfortunately, for your brave service to end like this is heartbreaking.

RIP, Staff Sgt. You will now be embraced by your brothers and sisters in arms in the Hall of Heroes in Heaven.
#35

On April 29th, 2008 at 4:26 pm, kevin45 said:

This is for you Matt God Bless

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iCz3BA-oNlY
#36

On April 29th, 2008 at 8:44 pm, NavyMom said:

With deepest love and gratitude from the Tate family in South Florida. May God comfort your family, Matt.
#37

On April 29th, 2008 at 9:21 pm, PatriotRider said:

Rest in peace and ride free, my brother. May God comfort your family. My next PGR mission will be dedicated to your memory.
#38

On April 30th, 2008 at 8:12 pm, ammo john said:

I took leave from Utah and flew home (Cincy area) just to honor Matt. My family and I gladly waited 2 hours in the cold night just to pay respect at the visitation. When we heard that visitation was extended, it made us happy knowing that more people were able to honor him.
My father-in-law let me borrow his motorcycle so my son and I could ride with fellow PGR members. To travel 21 miles up an empty interstate and seeing just about every overpass with people, flags, and banners really put tears in my eyes. My wife and daughter went to GABP for the services and she said it was really touching.