Bob Jones

To the editor,

A call from Keith Maupin on Sunday carried a voice that was a bit sad,angry and confused. He had received a call from the Army stating that, ”The remains of your son were found and verified through DNA”. He had yet to let his wife know and had to call his other son who is a Marine stationed in California.

His son Matt was captured April 9, 2004 in Iraq and even though shown on all the networks as being held by al Quida terrorists, insurgents or whatever term is in use today, Matt was declared Missing-Captured, Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown. His protection under the Geneva Conventions for a captured American soldier was canceled with a simple change in terminology.

Maybe the time is right for a “Declaration Of War” on al Quida, Osama, terrorists, insurgents. Lets ALL go to war. We hear the term daily but what does it mean? If we declare war then we all shall know. I’m for it .. I’m against it! Lets declare it so as to feel it.

Sgt. Matt Maupin will receive (his family will) the POW Medal (plus others) BUT was never allowed to be known as a POW… Prisoner Of War.

ALL for the declaration, please raise your hand. Don’t see many out there ... BUT .. it’s for those son’s and daughters we SAY we care so much about.

Blessings and Comfort to the Maupin family.

Bob Jones

Northeast POW/MIA Network