Family celebrates missing Soldier’s birthday (Pvt. Maupin's Birthday)

ARNEWS ^ | Staff Sgt. Michelle Johnson

[SandRat]

BATAVIA, Ohio (Army News Service, July 13, 2006) – Cake and ice cream, balloons, family, friends and presents – all ingredients for a birthday party held today in Batavia, Ohio.

But scores of yellow ribbons decorating nearly every light pole, house and business within city limits reminded attendees that the guest of honor was missing.

“It’s the third birthday he hasn’t been with us,” said Carolyn Maupin.

Carolyn is the mother of the only missing American Soldier still unaccounted for in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Keith "Matt" Maupin of the 724th Transportation Company was kidnapped just months before his 21st birthday, on April 9, 2004, when his fuel convoy was ambushed west of Baghdad.

He turns 23 today.

“For these occasions we always get together and have cake and ice cream and a gift,” said Carolyn, who said she finds no reason to break with tradition because he’s away. Her heart tells her he’s just doing his job, like the other 150,000 Soldiers deployed to the region. “It’s hard, sad.”

Maupin joined the Army Reserve for college money while studying aerospace engineering in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Despite their sadness, Carolyn and her husband Keith said they have no doubt their eldest son is still alive.

The Maupins have made second careers of supporting deployed Soldiers since their son’s capture. They run a storefront collection point for care-package goodies destined for Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.

For more information on Maupin, or to help his family support deployed service members, visit www.yellowribbonsupportcenter.com.

(Editor’s note: Staff Sgt. Michelle Johnson is a broadcaster with Soldiers, Radio & Television, Soldiers Media Center.)

[SandRat]

Prayer for Prisoners of War and Missing in Action

Lord, I bring before you now our servicemembers who have been captured or are missing in action, and ask that You would uphold them with Your right hand.

Be their rock in the midst of uncertainty and their light in the midst of darkness. Guard their hearts from fear and strengthen them according to Your Word. Cause them Lord, to lie down and sleep in peace for You alone are their safety.

Surround them Lord with Your favor as a shield. Soften the hearts of those who hold them and cause them to show compassion and mercy. Keep the hearts of our servicemembers filled with hope, and guard them from despair.Be near to them Lord, for Your nearness is their good, and bring them back safely to their families. In Jesus mighty name,

Amen.

[SandRat]

Happy Birthday Private!

[Graybeard58]

My tag line until Matt is found.

[tlj18]

It's a touching story, and I was aware that he was still missing, but in reality, I think the possibility that he is still alive is rather dismal. It's more probable that his body hasn't been found yet. I remember the guy from the USAF (I think) that went missing in 1991 in Iraq, and was never found. I believe he was recently reclassified as killed in action.

[SandRat]

USN Fighter Pilot Lt. Cdr. Speicter I believe was his name.

[Professional Engineer]

BUMP!

[tlj18]

Yes, that was his name.

[ishabibble]

Happy Birthday Keith! Prayers for you daily from this house.
We all await your return...now, that'll be a party!!!

God bless the Maupin family.

[hornetguy]

Pretty close, his name was Speicher. I was in VFA-106 at the same time he was an IP there, 1989 and 1990. I was a final checker/troubleshooter and interacted with the pilots on launches and recoveries. He seemed like a pretty good guy. He transferred to VFA-81 and the rest is history.

I wish they would figure out what happened to him, Matt Maupin also.

[libravoter]

But that man's body was just never found. He was never a POW like Maupin, right?

[tlj18]

As I remember, his plane was shot down, he ejected, and apparently survived. But his body was never found. People had reasons to believe that Saddam was holding him prisoner all these years, but the evidence just wasn't solid.

Situations like these must be hardest on married couples. Can they morally justify pursuing another relationship and moving on with their life, even when their spouse is still listed as missing? A very difficult situation. And painful.