Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY) introduced a resolution in support of April 9, 2019, as National Yellow Ribbon Day. The designation of April 9 as National Yellow Ribbon Day is in honor of Sgt. Keith Matthew Maupin, a Clermont County native, who became the first prisoner of war during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After introducing the legislation, the representatives released the following statements:

“I am proud to support the National Yellow Ribbon Day to honor the life and memory of Sgt. Keith Matthew Maupin, and all those who have been held as prisoners of war. Though Matt is no longer with us, his memory will never perish. My prayers are with Matt’s parents as we approach the anniversary of his capture. I am grateful to the Maupin family for their sacrifice for this nation, and for all they have done to support our servicemembers and families through the Yellow Ribbon Support Center,” said Congressman Brad Wenstrup. 

“Our active duty service members and their families sacrifice much and risk everything to keep us safe. Expressing Congressional support for a Yellow Ribbon Day is a way to honor them for their bravery and thank them for their service as protectors of our freedom and our way of life. I am grateful to the many New Yorkers, including in our state legislature, for leading the way in recognition of Yellow Ribbon Day and I urge Congress to respond in kind and support this positive, bipartisan resolution,” said Congressman Paul Tonko.

Keith Maupin, father of Sgt. Keith Matthew Maupin offered the following statement:

“Thank you to Congressman Brad Wenstrup and Congressman Paul Tonko for introducing this resolution to honor Matt. The daily sacrifice of our servicemembers and their families is not often in the news, so we have made it our job to ensure their stories are told and never forgotten. The designation of National Yellow Ribbon Day will continue to honor those who give their all for our nation,” said Keith Maupin.

Congressman Wenstrup released a video on the National Yellow Ribbon Day resolution here.

Background:

Army Staff Sgt. Keith Matthew Maupin of Batavia, Ohio was a member of the 724^th Transportation Company, Bartonville, Ill. On April 9, 2004 while serving in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Maupin disappeared after his convoy was attacked. Following his disappearance, “Maupin’s parents, Keith and Carolyn, founded the Yellow Ribbon Support Center to provide support, care packages, college scholarships and encouragement to deployed troops and their families” (Military Times). Maupin’s remains were later identified north of Baghdad in 2008.