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Soldier Laid to Rest After 4 Years

Thousands pay tribute to Sgt. Matt Maupin in Ohio memorial services

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Apr 28, 2008 10:27 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Thousands attended emotional memorial services over the weekend for an Ohio Army reservist whose remains made the journey home 4 years after he was captured in Iraq. Ten thousand filed past Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin's casket, and 3,000 attended a ceremony at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati yesterday, before a private ceremony in which he was buried next to five others killed in Iraq.

The 20-year-old Maupin had been declared missing after insurgents attacked his convoy, leaving two comrades dead; his remains were found last month. The ballpark memorial included benedictions, readings of eulogies composed by Maupin's siblings, and speeches by Army personnel, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "At least he's home with his family," said one mourner.

Retired Lt. Gen. James Campbell, left, escorts Carolyn and Keith Maupin, as they follow the casket of son Army Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin during a memorial service at Great American Ball Park, Sunday, April 27, 2008 in Cincinnati.
Retired Lt. Gen. James Campbell, left, escorts Carolyn and Keith Maupin, as they follow the casket of son Army Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin during a memorial service at Great American Ball Park, Sunday, April...   (AP Photo/David Kohl)
Ed and Pam Baker of Cleves, Ohio hug each other after watching the body of Staff Sgt Matt Maupin taken into a hangar at Lunken Airport on Saturday, April 26, 2008.
Ed and Pam Baker of Cleves, Ohio hug each other after watching the body of Staff Sgt Matt Maupin taken into a hangar at Lunken Airport on Saturday, April 26, 2008.   (AP Photo/The Enquirer,Ernest Coleman)
A member of the U.S. Army Honor Guard salutes the casket of U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin on Saturday afternoon, April 26, 2008.
A member of the U.S. Army Honor Guard salutes the casket of U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin on Saturday afternoon, April 26, 2008.   (Associated Press)
The casket of Army Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin is placed inside a hangar after it's arrival at Lunken Airport Saturday, April 26, 2008 in Cincinnati.
The casket of Army Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin is placed inside a hangar after it's arrival at Lunken Airport Saturday, April 26, 2008 in Cincinnati.   (AP Photo/David Kohl,Pool)
This undated photo provided by his family shows Army Reserve Pfc. Keith M. Maupin, whose remains were found March 20, 2008, in a search of a dangerous swath northwest of Baghdad.
This undated photo provided by his family shows Army Reserve Pfc. Keith M. Maupin, whose remains were found March 20, 2008, in a search of a dangerous swath northwest of Baghdad.   (AP Photo)
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More on Sgt. Maupin's homecoming
Cincinnati Enquirer

More on tributes to Sgt. Maupin
The Oxford Press

Sgt. Maupin's parents create commemorative website
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