Sergeant Matt Maupin

Posted By Blackfive

Sergeant Matt Maupin is still missing (since April 9th, 2004) and believed to be held captive in Iraq.  This photo of Matt is from April 1st, 2004.

Sergeant Maupin's family recently donated 90 computers to open the Sgt. Matt Maupin Computer Center on September 19th in order to improve morale amongst the troops.  I'm amazed that they are as concerned for the troops as much as they are searching for Matt.

Soldiers salute while the national anthem plays at the dedication ceremony for the Sgt. Matt Maupin Computer Lab at Logistical Support Area Anaconda.             Photo by Sgt. Jason Mikeworth 207th MPAD.

(Left to right) Sgt. Maj. Mark Whade, Lt. Col. David B. Gaffney, Brig. Gen. Yves Fontaine and Sgt. Maj. Joseph R. Allen cut the ribbon to official open the Sgt. Matt Maupin Computer Lab, located inside the Education Center at Logistical Support Area Anaconda.            Photo by Sgt. Jason Mikeworth 207th MPAD

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» Remember Those Who Serve: Sergeant Matt Maupin from Area417
The Maupin family has donated 90 computers and opened the Maupin Computer Center to improve life for our troops. Meanwhile, their son is still missing after an attack on his convoy in April of 2004. One week later, his image [Read More]

Comments

[Marvin]

The Maupin family is incredible.
Supporting the troops, by providing more soldiers the means to stay in touch with their families.

[JCK]

Wow. What a great story of focus on the troops, even while the Maupin family could readily limit their support and concern to their missing son/family member. These are the people that earn the soldiers' respect and sacrifice.
I am non-military, and every time I see the incredible support that is given within that circle, I am filled with admiration.

[Maggie]

G-d bless this family! What a wonderful way to honor their son. How incredibly generous. Ms. Sheehan should take note.

[linda]

Ditto to Maggie's post! Can't imagine the pain and terror of not knowing where your child is.

[Don]

I'm sure the Gitmo lawyers and the ACLU are making filings right now in US Federal Court and the International Court at the Hague demanding access to SGT. Maupin. /sarcasm off.

[AFSister]

You know what makes me sad about this? None of the local tv stations or newspapers in Cincinnati have picked up on this story.
Sad, sad, sad.

[Dee]

I pray for this soldier each and every day...it is something, very dear to me..i keep thinking of the family and how they cope with this every day...I hold my prayers and vigil to him. My son is out there in Iraq..and so , I understand the constant thought of their percious son, :)

dee

ps- my dh is a Vietnam recon guy... all our family keeeps him in our thoughts ...daily...

Dee

[Kat in GA]

OMG that is beautiful...they are a wonderful family. To this day, I STILL wear my Matt Maupin button on my jacket (it's always cold in my office and in my classrooms @ college, so I always have it with me). I promised I would not remove it till he comes home!!!!!!

And every day...every single day...I pray for him and pray for his dear family as well.

Thanks for posting this.

[aguyiniraq]

the lab is an incredible thing. i remember going to the ed center before the donation, and it was pretty run down. it was completly revamped for the new computers. the gift itself is amazing. the donors are truly a class act.
someone mentioned the ohio papers didn't pick up the story. Actually, a lot of places grabed it off the AP wire but shelved it favor of the hurricane. The full story is available in the link part of this post.

[Michele San Pietro]

I think a hero like Matt should be released as soon as possible. Unfortunately, to fanatical antiamericans his life counts less than dog shit.

[devildog6771]

I wrote a poem for Matt recently. I would like to share it here. You will not offend me if you remove it but I intended it to honor him. I am not a good peom writer but here goes:

"Remember My Face"

It's been so long now I can't help but feel,
my life is all over, is this all really real;

I've been a prisoner for such a long time,
"no one left behind," was that just a line;

They beat and threaten my life with a shive,
name, rank, and serial number, that's all I give;

Does anyone even remember my name,
or am I a soldier and prisoner of little fame;

How much longer will I be held in this place,
my name is Matt, do you remember my face;

I'm an American soldier who willingly served,
I can't help but thinking this is so undeserved;

Have I been abandoned in this horrible place,
will I die and disappear without leaving a trace;

What about my buddies, who fought at my side,
are they still fighting, has the war turned the tide;

Will they come for me and free me from this fate,
or will I die in this place a victim of fanatical hate;

The country I love and served with such pride,
has it turned its back on me now, has it lied;

Please don't leave me behind, it would be a disgrace,
my name is Matt Maupin, please, remember my face?

by devildog6771

I pray often for Matt Naupin's return. I can't think of anything worse than to not know the fate of a son or daughter. The lack of closure would have destroyed many families. Yet Matt's family continues to hold faith and "support" our troops. God Bless Matt and his family.

A little known item of interest here that impacts Matt's fate. A bill signed by Senator Kerry and another well known Senator prevents Matt from being classified as MIA in the true Military sense. This law left our government's hands tied as far as what could be done to retrieve Matt or search for him. There are also other items about this law that I will not go into because they can have dangerous results for Matt if he is still alive.

I will continue to pray for Matt. I salute his family for their strength and character.

[Joanne Pijoan]

I have a candle burning in my front window for your son Matt. From the very first time the story broke about him being captured and now whereabouts unknown, I have never forgotten him. Please know that there are people who do think about him every day, even though we do not even know him.....

[P. Campbell]

I look at that soldier's face and think "that could be my son."
Prayers going up for Sgt. Maupin and his family.

[Ken Follis]

I was in Iraq April 9th and still remember that day when PFC Maupin was captured. My unit was headed near the place he was taken and I remember wondering if he'd survived and if we could just get to him and "leave none behind". I too pray for him. I pray for you, his family and friends. That Easter Sunday after his capture, I rolled into the ancient city of Babylon. I recall thinking of Matt as a captive like the biblical Daniel of the Babylonian Lion's Den fame. Daniel was delivered from the mouth of the lion and in like manner I pray Matt will be. There is a reason it was Good Friday he was taken. The Son of God was taken on that day. We must remember there was a Sunday for God's Son and there will soon be a Sunday for yours. Jesus, like Daniel was delivered from the Lion's den and you can expect the same. We all will have our Sunday.

[Ana Mendoza]

I received an e-mail from my brother, HM3 FMF Lopez 5th Battalion 14th Marines, from Iraq 11/24/05. He wrote that he had just returned from a long mission called Task Force Maupin.To recover Sgt.Maupin who is MIA.Unfortunately Matt wasn't found but he is not forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with Matt and the Maupin family.

[A soldier's wife]

To the Maupin family, your nightmare is our worst nightmare. That the one we love will be taken from us and yet through that nightmare you have given love and kindness to so many. Just a quick word gets so many of us through week upon utter week. You have strong kind hearts. You are an inspiration to many. I am apart of a larger online group of army wives...your son is never forgotten by any of us. We still pray for his safe return and that your hearts be healed. I truely hope and pray that he will be returned to you soon. May God keep you and yours in the palm of His hands.

[A soldier's wife]

To the Maupin family, your nightmare is our worst nightmare. That the one we love will be taken from us and yet through that nightmare you have given love and kindness to so many. Just a quick word gets so many of us through week upon utter week. You have strong kind hearts. You are an inspiration to many. I am apart of a larger online group of army wives...your son is never forgotten by any of us. We still pray for his safe return and that your hearts be healed. I truely hope and pray that he will be returned to you soon. May God keep you and yours in the palm of His hands.

[Dwayne Goodwin]

Dear Maupin Family, not a day has gone by that I have not thought about you and, most especially, of your son Matt. I have a POW/MIA bracelet bearing his name and I will wear it until he is finally home. I am doing work for our POW's and MIA' from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and for your son. I am keeping the pressure on the Defense Department, the president, and congress to do more to bring our missing servicemen home once and for all. Until that great day comes, when you are reunited with your belove Matt, I promise to raise awareness to your sons cause, keep up the pressure on our government, and wear your sons bracelet. God bless you all and know that I am praying for Matt and for all of you! May all of our POW's and MIA's be home soon!

[Derek]

Good bless the Maupin family!

[Tracie]

I own a Online Radio Station.. And I have Adopt platoons over in Iraq.and Soldiers. When I heard about your Son I Posted his picture up on the Site.. It will remain there until he returns home..
I have your Son and Family in my prayers and thoughs.

Tracie k.

[Armywife]

I am so touched and humbled by the spirit of the Maupin family. As the wife of a soldier and the mother of son, my heart goes out to them. They are truly an asset to this nation. I pray for Matt's safe return and for his family to continue to have the strength and courage they have displayed all along.

[Kevin Askren]

I was in Iraq on 9 April 2004 with 269th MP Co. We ran a few missions on the MSR (main supply route) just west of Baghdad shortly after the 9th. This route was littered with at least 12 to 15 burned out vehilces, several of them being Army fuel trucks. This may have been site of your son's capture. It appeared that some of these fuel trucks had been lit up and were on fire as the soldiers were trying to get out of the "zone" (you could tell by tracks the burning tires left on the payment). Most of the trucks were able to drop their tankers, a few were not (evidently the fuel in these tankers will burn for several days). You could tell there was a huge firefight as there were empty shell casings (.50 cal, mk 19, 16s and saws, a large crater in the middle of the road) along a five mile stretch. As a MP I thought I had one of tougher jobs in Iraq, our BN had suffered over hundred wounded or killed, that was until I drove by the remains of that convoy. Those transportation soldiers, especially the tanker drivers, are some the most heroic people I will ever know. Occasionally I will look at the photos I took of the carnage on that route and am reminded just how couragious they are. My heart and prayers goes out to Maupin family everyday. I will continue to pray for your son's safe return. Your son is a true hero, just like all the other transportation people that did one of the most thankless and dangerous jobs in Iraq. God Bless You All!

[heather]

i just wanted to let matt and his family know that where ever he is, his name is remembered. last summer i took my 5 year old son to the vet wall at UD, there was a memorial for matt there and my son asked about him, i told him he was missing in battle and thats why his picture was there. recently in tne car, out of the blue he asked me if matt maupin had come home yet, i told him not yet but hopefully soon. he told me he was probably busy saving people and wasnt ready to come home yet. i couldnt believe that he remembered his name, someone hes never met before, but i guess just hearing about him and seeing his face made hime unforgateable, even to a 5 year old. i just wanted to share my story to the family, so they know we are all thinking of him and wish him home soon

[HESNAOI]

I was at Abu Ghraib on 4/9/04 as a Guard with my national guard unit. We saw the plumes of smoke and drove by the ambush site many times. I continue to pray for Ryans return home. I never met him, but feel a connection because we were so close to the site of the ambush. Keep praying.....

[josh]

This man is not a sgt. he is a pfc

[Blackfive]

He's a Sergeant. Google it.

The Army saw fit to keep promoting him until it confirms that he was KIA or found alive instead of MIA.

[Mary Ann]

I just want Matt's family to know that i've also been praying for him and for them. May he soon be reunited with all who love him. God bless all who remember them. God bless all our service men and women.

[EMG]

My 14 year old son and I wear Matt's POW bracelet everyday. We trade weeks so that he is constanly in our thoughts. Matt is a true hero and so is his family who have so gracefully endured this hardship.

[Neil...AKA...Neil Cotter]

I had the pleasure of meeting and later escorting Mr. and Mrs Maupin to the pentagon two years ago at Rolling Thunders Ride For Freedom. Not only has Rolling Thunder not forgotten Sgt. Matt Maupin but neither have the STAR Vets of STAR Touring And Riding. I still have the photo and ribbon his dad gave me two years ago and I still wear it today. In fact I wore it today to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for Rolling Thunders POW/MIA ride in New Jersey. Keep the faith, we are.

[Melanie Hinojosa]

God Bless the Maupin family. Never give up hope. My nephew AJ Aguilar passed away in April 06 in Iraq.. and we pray for Matt's return.

[SGT Barba]

SGT MAUPIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You know what you got to do...when you see that chance...Take it...Until then...We'll be waiting for your return...Hooah!

[Mindy Abraham]

I'm embarresed to say it but I had forgotten about him bout I will not make that mistake again.

[Mindy Abraham]

What I meant to say was i'm ashamed to admit it but I had forgotten about him, but I will not make that mistake again.

[Unknown]

Matt is one of my best friends. All of his friends here have not forgotten nor will we ever forget the loss we've been made to suffer from his disappearance. Keith, Matt's dad, is one of the most solid people I have ever met, and matt's mom is just your typical 'never say never' mothers. Though most people seem to have forgotten, there are still signs around town with praise to Matt, or yellow ribbons. Every time i drive by our old high school i see the mural to Matt on the bus garage fence my cheat tightens up. Matt may have been a 6'3" solid slab of muscle but his laugh reminded me so much of Goofy from the disney channel and his sense of humor was what made him shine the most. He is the most humble, caring, and friendly people i've ever had the privilege of calling friend. We miss him more than words.

[Lu Eddy]

My prayers are with Matt's family..I spoke with his Dad today and what an incredible man he is..I support ALL our troops and just want to remind them and all who may read this that you are all HERO's in every sense of the word..My grandchildren will grow up in a better place because you fought the enemy over there instead of here..I salute you all and you are in my prayers dailey..You are all Great Americans and should be proud as hell of the job your doing..
Hugs and prayers from Ohio

[Libby Lanser]

Wow.
I'm only 14 and throught research and all, I just found out about Matt when a POW network sent me a POW bracelet with his name on it. I'm happy they did because now I have read all of this... I'm honestly at a lose for words. This is all amazing, beautiful, sad, wonderful. May God protect Matt and bring him home to his stedfast -hope I spelled that right- mother and father, city, friends and country.

Libby

[Keith Maupin]

To all of those that still remember Matt, know that we appreciate you. And for those that don't know about Matt, that is because you haven't met me yet. We stiil have faith in Matt and believe that Army is and will do all they can to get Matt home. There are thousands of soldiers that have looked for Matt with no results. WE believe that Matt is still alive and when Matt's job is complete he will be home will all of us. Thank you for your continued support and prayers for Matt.

God Bless American, the troops and Matt.

Till they all come home,

Keith Maupin

[Tammy]

I have prayed for Keith "Matt" Maupin for literally years. I will continue to lift his name up to our Dear Lord each and every day until he is returned to his home soil. I also pray for Carolyn and Keith his parents, my son was born in Dec of 1983 and I can't imagine not knowing where he is. The Lord will sustain you with hope until your son is returned. God Bless You! Tammy

[Jennifer]

I am an military wife...and a mother. I can only begin to imagine the strength and courage that your family must have every single day! I pray that you continue to have faith, and not lose hope that one day soon, you will see your son again.
God Bless You and your entire family!
Jennifer

[R. Marcantonio]

April 11th 2007 and Matt is still not home yet. Do not forget this hero and ask yourself what can you do to bring attention to his plight (no matter how small a gesture). Make a sign & stick it in town, or take 2 minutes and post to a website, tell a friend, etc.

It may not seem like much of a contribution but a wise man once said "even the longest journey starts with a single step" TAKE THAT STEP and spread the word.

Thank you

[Cynthia Gregg]

To the Maupin family, God bless you, Your Strength and Stamina is amazing. I am sorry to say I had not heard of the computer Lab until I came across this web site. Shame on the News stations for not showing the the rest of the world what an increadible family you are even during the worst of times for any parent with a child serving their country. Instead they will not hesitate to give Cindy Sheehan unlimited time in front of a camera that I am sure her deceased son would be ashamed of if he were still alive. I find it apalling.
I found this web site because I was ordering my pow braclet with Matts name and I wanted to be sure I had all his information correct before I ordered it.
Matt has been in my prayers since he went missing as well as your family. I pray the three soldiers that went missing this weekend will be found together with Matt. With Faith, all things are possible.

God Bless you all,
Cynthia Gregg
Misawa Japan

PS If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. I work for AAFES and did a volunteer deployment 2002 to 2003. I still adopt soldiers to send goodie bags to especially during the holidays to those that don't get mail from home. And, I have kept in touch with a few I met while I was deployed and have one on his way to Iraq very soon. I don't have kids, so they are my adopted family. I saw many desert countries except Iraq and lived in a tent for a year and loved every minute of it. I wish I could afford to do more for them now.
I will keep an eye on the family web page for any updates. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. Matt is an adopted son too.

[Tarah]

Dear Maupin Family,

I am keeping a POW/MIA bracelet on for his safe return. He went missing a day after my son was born (8 Apr 04). So I don't know if it's coinicidence or whatever... but I find it interesting. Anyway, I do pray for your family and hope for his safe return.

I'm a veteran and a mom, so I understand your pain. Please keep faith close in your heart.

Freedom isn't Free!

Tarah

[lorlabrown915]

matt maupin has the best family to be so supportive of the military in their search for their son, and it's good to be on here and see so many supportive people.
pray for you guys all the time.
love you,
lora