Rep. Schmidt Newsletter: "A Heartbreaking Homecoming"

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On Friday, April 9, 2004, our own Matt Maupin, then a Private First Class, was in a fuel tanker truck just outside Baghdad International Airport when his unit came under attack by insurgents. Matt was taken hostage and the nightmare for his family began.

We saw a single video clip of him as a hostage broadcast on Al Jazeera. Then absolutely nothing. The silence was excruciating.

His parents turned their pain into a force for good. As they awaited news on Matt, they began the Yellow Ribbon Support Center to assist our troops in harm’s way and their families here at home. They also made quite sure that the search for Matt did not abate.

I met the Maupin’s long before I even thought about running for Congress. One had to admire their strength given the pain that they were suffering. Keith, Matt’s father, decided he would let his beard grow until his son came home. Carolyn, his beautiful mother, organized.

Over the last four years I lost count of how many times they met with President Bush to get updates on the search for their son. They arranged countless meetings at the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill, constantly seeking news and making sure the Pentagon was doing all it could to find their son.

On my second trip to Iraq, I met privately with General Petraeus. I didn’t need to bring Matt up with the General because he beat me to it, and he gave me his word that they would never stop looking. It was also on this trip that I distributed pictures of Matt that Carolyn had given me to carry to Iraq.

In every meeting I have had with General Petraeus, “Matt Maupin” were the first words out of his mouth.

As a mother, I can only begin to understand the Maupin Family’s pain and torment over the last four years. I find myself frustrated that there is nothing I can do to lessen that pain even slightly. Instead, I do what so many of us do, I pray.

Matt Maupin was a patriot -- a true hometown hero. He volunteered to serve his country; and he gave her his ultimate sacrifice.

In the coming weeks Matt will finally come home, this time escorted by his brother, a young Marine. There is little doubt that our community will pay great tribute to Matt. That tribute is very well earned.

The Maupin’s torment has ended and been replaced with broken hearts. I hope each of us, in his or her own way, will wish them peace and comfort.

The Army has a creed. And within that creed there are four stanzas referred to as the warrior’s ethos. These are the standards by which all soldiers conduct themselves.

I will always place the mission first

I will never accept defeat

I will never quit

I will never leave a fallen comrade

As Matt’s father told me, “Matt is coming home. He has completed his mission.”

May God Bless the Maupin Family and may Matt Rest in Peace.