Family, Friends Mourn Fallen Soldier's Life
By Mark Martin
CBN News Reporter
CBNNews.com - Thousands of mourners gathered in Cincinnati, Ohio to honor a hero.
Staff Sergeant Matt Maupin died in Iraq.
The captured soldier was missing for four years and his remains discovered last month.
More than 5,000 showed up at the memorial service for Maupin.
It was held at the baseball park of the Cincinnati Reds to make room for everyone.
"He was a good soldier. He was young, athletic, had a lot going for him," said Jeffrey Smith, Maupin's commander in Iraq.
Insurgents captured the 20-year-old in 2004, after attacking his fuel convoy near Baghdad.
One week later, his frightened face was seen around the world on Arab TV, surrounded by his captors.
It's a heart-wrenching goodbye.
For four years, Maupin's family believed their son would return home alive.
Finally, a tip from an Iraqi led the U.S. military to Matt's remains, and the long journey back to Ohio.
"It hurts. After you go through four years... almost four years of hope and then this is what happens," Maupin's mother, Carolyn, said.
Matt's father Keith even refused to shave his beard until he came home.
He still cannot do it.
"We still have three soldiers missing and 140,000 that need our help - as Americans we need to let em know there's people back here that care for them and that's what were going to do," Keith said.
After the memorial service, the fallen hero was buried in a private ceremony, attended by his family and close friends.
But memories of this courageous soldier will live on in the hearts of people not just in Ohio, but around the world.
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