Remembering the Missing at Punchbowl National Cemetery

IN THESE GARDENS ARE RECORDED
THE NAMES OF AMERICANS
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY
AND WHOSE EARTHLY RESTING PLACE
IS KNOWN ONLY TO GOD

The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific - also known as Punchbowl National Cemetery - includes ten "Courts of the Missing". These garden courts are located on both sides of the stairway that leads to the sculpture of Columbia, the chapel and the information walls about WWII Pacific battles.

On the inside and outside of the walls in the 10 courtyard gardens are engraved the names of the 28,788 troops who went missing in the pacific theatre in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

It is a moving experience to walk into the courts and see all of the names and where they were lost. The majority were sailors lost in WWII, now united in granite with their shipmates.

While these men were never recovered, here they are never forgotten. And, thus, we lift their names to heaven.

To see more pictures of the Punchbowl National Cemetery, go here.

SSG "Matt" Maupin - MIA No Longer

SSG Keith Matthew "Matt" Maupin

Remains Identified

MIA No Longer

Farewell, and Walk with God, Matt

Maupin was a 20-year-old private first class when he was captured on April 9, 2004, west of Baghdad. A month later, he was promoted to the rank of specialist, and later to sergeant.

Nearly four years after his capture, his remains have been identified.

Carolyn and Keith Maupin

The official release has not yet been made, but Matt's parents have released the news.
Many of us held out hope that Matt would be found alive, yet we knew the chances were slim.
Today, let us hold the family and friends of Matt in our thoughts and prayers.

Previous Article on Matt: http://gazingattheflag.blogspot.com/2007/04/wednesday-hero-ssg-matt-maupin.html

Article on the ID: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23871813

Matt's Web Page - http://www.mattmaupin.us/
on the left you can click Guestbook and leave a message for his family.

Wednesday Hero ~ SPC Ahmed Qusai allTaayie

Ahmed Qusai al-Taayie
41 years old from Ann-Arbor, Michigan


Specialist Ahmed Qusai al-Taayie is a Iraqi American U.S. Army linguist soldier, from Ann-Arbor, Michigan who was kidnapped on October 23, 2006 in Baghdad and has not been seen since.

al-Taayie joined the Army in 2004 to help not only his country, the United States, but also his birthplace of Iraq and was deployed in 2005. On October 23, 2006 he was visiting his wife in the Karrada Shiite neighborhood in central Baghdad when he and his cousin were kidnapped by a group calling themselves Ahel al-Beit Brigades. His cousin was released shortly after. On November 2, 2006 al-Taayie's uncle received a ransom demand of $250,000 for his return. Along with the ransom came a grainy video that showed a man beaten up who was identified as al-Taayie. No more has been heard from al-Taayie or his captures.

For more information on Ahmed Qusai al-Taayie you can go here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives

so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday.

For that, I am proud to call them Hero.


This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll.

Wednesday Hero ~ SSG Matt Maupin

This Weeks Solider Was Summited By Lt. Schneider

SSgt. Keith "Matt" Maupin
24 years old from Batavia, Ohio
Army Reserves 724th Transportation Company
MIA Since April 9, 2004



Strength, perseverance and determination is how you would describe the family of SSgt. Keith Maupin. Because even though their son has been missing now for almost three years, his parents still haven't given up hope that he's still alive. Said his father, Keith Maupin, "I'm saying it ain't over till the fat lady sings and when she sings, I'm going to choke her. That's what I say. They're going to find Matt." His mother, Carolyn, was quoted as saying, "We're to keep our hope up. And praying until they can prove to us 100 percent either way. And that's what I'm going to do. And I realize we only have a 50/50 chance here, but I'm not going the low road. I'm going the high road"

SSGT Maupin, who was PFC. Maupin when he was captured and has since received two promotions, was reported MIA when his fuel convoy came under attack near the Baghdad International Airport. Along with Maupin was Sgt. Elmer Krause and seven employees of U.S. contractor Kellogg, Brown & Root. All of whom were either rescued or escaped. Seven days later, on April 16, Al-Jazeera aired a video tape of Maupin in which he was forced to admit that he was went to Iraq unwillingly. Then on June 28, 2004, Al-Jazerra reported that PFC. Maupin had been executed by a group calling themselves Persistent Power Against the Enemies of God and the Prophet. But no concrete proof has surfaced either way.

His parents have created a website called Yellow Ribbon Support Center if you would like to check it out. And while most in the media have forgotten Keith Maupin, Wednesday Hero hasn't.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday.

For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll.