Matt Maupin Honored in Salem at Afghan/Iraq Freedom Memorial

The Patriot Guard Riders made a significant showing, vowing to not let this veteran pass without honor and respect.

Photos of event by Q. Madp, IraqWarHeroes.org

(SALEM, Ore.) - A soldier who was missing for years was honored over the weekend in Salem at a special event held at the city's Afghan/Iraq Freedom Memorial. Sgt. Keith Matthew Maupin's parents had vowed to never let the U.S. Army forget about finding their son. His remains were discovered in March.

Their efforts included trips to the Pentagon and even meeting with President Bush. The The Army has not told the family where in Iraq their son's remains were discovered. It has only been announced that the identification was made through DNA testing, the family told The AP. A shirt he may have been wearing at the time of his disappearance was also found.

Sunday a special memorial service in Salem honored Sgt. Keith Matthew Maupin from Cincinnati, Ohio, who was taken as Prisoner of War in 2004.

Q. Madp of IraqWarHeroes.org, says the Oregon State captain of the Patriot Guard Riders, Bryan Loun, "was persistent in putting this event together for our hero Keith Matthew Maupin."

Madp says 105 Motorcycles and 2 Trikes and a dozen Cages (car type vehicles) showed up for today's event at the Afghan-Iraqi Freedom Memorial located next to the Veterans Affairs building at 700 Summer Street NE in Salem, Oregon.

"It was beautiful. What else can I say, and I'm glad to have made it there to capture it." Madp is a person who sees the honor and sacrifice at these events regularly. His life is dedicated to honoring the fallen. There are links at the bottom of the story with more about Q. Madp and IraqWarHeroes.org.

He says there is not a doubt in the world that Oregon war veterans will honor people like this sergeant who was missing for four years, "Please remember Keith and all our other heroes. Keith will not be forgotten here."

The Afghan/Iraq Freedom Memorial was built from the wishes of Clay and M.J. Kesterson of Oregon, who lost their son Erik Kesterson in Iraq in 2004. Erik was an Army Blackhawk helicopter pilot who was shot down by enemy forces.

You can keep up on the latest opportunities to honor our war dead by visiting IraqWarHeroes.org and supporting Q. Madp's efforts to bring honor and dignity to each who pays the ultimate price for their country.

Mar-24-2008: Oregonian Travels Thousands of Miles to Honor our War Dead

Dec-16-2007: Wreaths Across America Honors Oregon Veterans

Jul-20-2007: Man Who Honors Fallen Receives Increasing Coverage

Jun-12-2007: Oregon Website Honoring War Dead has New Freeway Billboard in Washington

Oct-16-2006: The Mission of a Man Named Q