Public invited to pay their respects this weekend in Cincinnati

WASHINGTON, April 24, 2008—Army Staff Sgt. Keith Matthew Maupin’s funeral will be held this Sunday, April 27, at 1 p.m. at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, Ohio. The public is invited to pay their respects to the Maupin, the first soldier listed as “missing-in-action” in Iraq. AMVETS will be on hand Sunday to pay respects to Maupin and his family.

On Saturday, Maupin’s casket will be escorted by motorcade from Lunken Airport to Union Township Civic Center for a public visitation that will be open to the public between 11 a.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. Sunday. The route of procession to the visitation has already been lined with thousands of yellow ribbons as a tribute to Maupin and all who continue to serve overseas. Sunday’s public service at Great American Ballpark will be followed by a private ceremony at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Maupin’s final resting place.  

The Army’s 88th Regional Readiness Command is handling arrangements for the funeral, which is expected to draw thousands to the home of the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday afternoon.

Local media outlets in Cincinnati will broadcast the funeral live, foregoing scheduled programming, including the NBA and NHL playoffs.

Nearly four years ago, Maupin was captured on the streets of Baghdad. He appeared in a video aired on Al Jazeera shortly after his capture, surrounded by masked gunmen. In the years that have followed, Maupin’s family pleaded for their son’s safe return. His remains were discovered on March 20 in an area outside of Baghdad.

Two men have been brought to justice in connection with Maupin’s death, and the military continues to search for others involved.

As an advocate for prisoners of war and those missing in action, AMVETS remains committed to the safe return of all those sworn to defend this nation.

Three U.S. soldiers remain “missing in action” in Iraq:  Spc. Alex Jimenez, Pvt. Brian Fouty, and Spc. Ahmed Altaie. AMVETS urges the departments of State and Defense to renew their commitment to returning all those missing in action to the United States with the dignity and honor that they have earned.

Army Times Story: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/04/gns_maupin_captors_041608/