"My heart sinks, but I know they can't hurt him anymore"

SSG Keith "Matt" Maupin. Photo - AP.

Those were the words of Keith Maupin, Sergeant Matt Maupin's father upon learning from the Army on Sunday that his son's remains had been identified.

Maupin was captured on April 9, 2004 in an ambush on his fuel convoy west of Baghdad. He was assigned to the 724th Transportation Company based in Bartonville, IL.

[Maupin's father says] he doesn't hold the Army responsible for his son's death, but that he did hold the Army responsible for bringing his son home.

"I told them when we'd go up to the Pentagon, whether he walks off a plane or is carried off, you're not going to leave him in Iraq like you did those guys in Vietnam," Maupin said.

Rest in Peace, SSG Maupin. We look forward to welcoming you home.

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