In Awe

A MILBLOG

The Mudville Gazette is the on-line voice of an American warrior and his wife who stands by him. They prefer to see peaceful change render force of arms unnecessary. Until that day they stand fast with those who struggle for freedom, strike for reason, and pray for a better tomorrow.

VALOUR-IT

Prev | List | Random | Next Join Powered by RingSurf!

MORALE FUNDS

FEEDS

GROUND SUPPORT

The Fine Print Blah Blah Blah

The Mudville Gazette is written and produced by Greyhawk, the call sign of a real military guy currently serving somewhere in Iraq. Unless otherwise credited, the opinions expressed are those of the author, and nothing here is to be taken as representing the official position of or endorsement by the United States Department of Defense or any of its subordinate components. Furthermore, I will occasionally use satire or parody herein. The bottom line: it's my house.

I like having visitors to my house. I hope you are entertained. I fight for your right to free speech, and am thrilled when you exercise said rights here. Comments and e-mails are welcome, but all such communication is to be assumed to be 1)the original work of any who initiate said communication and 2)the property of the Mudville Gazette, with free use granted thereto for publication in electronic or written form. If you do NOT wish to have your message posted, write "CONFIDENTIAL" in the subject line of your email.

Original content copyright © 2003 - 2008 by Greyhawk. Fair, not-for-profit use of said material by others is encouraged, as long as acknowledgement and credit is given, to include the url of the original source post. Other arrangements can be made as needed.

Contact: greyhawk at mudvillegazette dot com

Greetings! You are reading an article from The Mudville Gazette. To reach the front page, with all the latest news and views, click the logo above or "main" below. Thanks for stopping by! « LTC Joseph Spadoni | Main | Mike Stokely Foundation makes changes in Yusifiyah »

May 26, 2008

In Awe

Greyhawk

An April, 2008 addition to our Memorial Day tribute...

How the Maupin family filled time while waiting for grim news:

The Maupins remained hopeful he was alive and kept busy at the Yellow Ribbon Support Center they started. It has sent thousands of gift boxes to troops overseas and awarded 180 scholarships in honor of fallen soldiers.

Matt's father says that the effort will continue:

"Even though Matt is coming home, we still have another mission," said Maupin. "Our first was to bring Matt home and the second was to support the troops and that's what we are going to do."

That response might be rare, but it's not unique. Robert Stokely began an effort in memory of his son Mike some time ago. In addition to funding scholarships, The Mike Stokely Foundation sends supplies to an Iraqi school in the area where Mike was killed.

Too bad the major media in this country can't spend one tenth the time they devoted to Cindy Sheehan on efforts like these. (Of course, Cindy had cash from millionaires to buy backing from various "activist" groups and PR firms - a bit out of reach for the budgets of those who are doing actual grassroots work...)

2008-04-01 13:24:41

Posted by Greyhawk at 10:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) |

Show Comments Here (2) |

Hide Comments

Each Gold Star family makes a choice when news no family wants to hear comes their way - either blame in bitterness, or REMEMBER WITH HONOR. It is a special privilege of sacrifice we bear, one we did not want, but then, if we do not bear it, who should we expect to bear it for us? I am proud of the Maupin family, for they have borne a burden that is hard for me to fathom - waiting, wondering, watching, hoping beyond all hope, yet they did not give up hope these three plus years their son was missing. The Maupin Family nightmare was one which I feared - the capture of a son by those who show no remorse for their barbaric acts, rather such thugs gloat.

The Maupin family did not get to choose whether their son lived or died. They did get to choose how they handled it. They have chosen wisely and now exhibit grace as they REMEMBER WITH HONOR.

proud dad SGT Mike Stokely
KIA 16 AUG 05 near Yusufiyah Iraq

Posted by robert stokely at April 2, 2008 03:19 AM

Each Gold Star family makes a choice when news no family wants to hear comes their way - either blame in bitterness, or REMEMBER WITH HONOR.

God bless the Maupin family, and the Stokely family, and every other family who sacrifices on our behalf. Even in the worst of times in their lives, the best of people will approach these horrible situations with grace and the memories of the best about their loved ones.

They all deserve our best efforts at support, our prayers, and our grateful thanks for placing their sons and daughters between us and an enemy who desperately wishes us dead. I have tried my best to live to be worthy of their sacrifice every day of my life. Because Lord knows Keith Maupin and Mike Stokely and their comrades did no less than that for us.

Thank you to the Maupins. Thanks Mr. Stokely. Never forget. Press on to Victory.

Subsunk

Posted by Subsunk at April 2, 2008 10:44 AM

Hide Comments | Show/Add Comments in Popup Window(2) | (Note: You must refresh main page to view newly posted comments here)

More Books Here

May 26, 2008

In Awe