Words fail me. Staff Sgt. Keith Matthew Maupin had been missing in Iraq since April 9, 2004. Today the military can confirm that it has located his remains.

His father, Keith Maupin, said military officials informed the family Sunday afternoon that the remains of the 24-year-old Army reservist had been identified.

“Every parent knows the possibility exists that they may have to face the death of their child when they volunteer to go to war,” he said. “However, those who are fortunate make peace with that and support their soldier, because they enlisted at their own free will.”

A Defense Department official also confirmed the identification, saying the remains of the 24-year-old were found last week but DNA results just came in.

Maupin and another soldier, Sgt. Elmer Krause, were captured by insurgents April 9, 2004, after their convoy came under attack near Baghdad International Airport. A week later, Maupin was shown on a videotape, surrounded by several armed masked men.

A word from his father:

“Matt is coming home. He’s completed his mission,” his father, Keith Maupin, said.

Rest in peace, Sgt. Maupin. Rest in peace.