Posted on 12/02/2004 8:10:36 AM PST by Graybeard58
They've never talked publicly about the day their son was taken hostage in Iraq, but now they're ready to break the silence.
The mother and father of captured Army Specialist Matt Maupin spoke candidly about their missing son.
Tuesday marked seven months since Carolyn and Keith Maupin's son was captured when his convoy came under attack in Iraq.
9News reporter Shannon Kettler sat down with Matt Maupin's parents as they shared what life has been like for them since their son was taken hostage. "Its tough," said Keith Maupin, "I don't know what else to say. You do one day at a time and try to get by."
Seven months ago Carolyn Maupin says she was a homemaker with four kids trying to get by when her life suddenly turned upside down.
She now talks about life without her son, the president, and the fear of the unknown.
It's when night falls, at the end of the day, Carolyn Maupin listens to a song sent by her a stranger about her missing son.
"I'll pray you home -- wherever you may be," goes the lyrics to the song.
Her mind drifts back to when she last saw her son.
"When he left he was so proud, so proud of what he was going to do and he's just a very strong individual -- very, very strong -- and that's what I'm counting on to stay strong," said Maupin.
Born on July 13, 1983, Keith Matthew Maupin was the third oldest sibling who grew up excelling in sports and in school.
"If he would get a 'B.' he would never like that because he always wanted the 'A's' in school," said Maupin.
After graduation Matt Maupin enrolled at UC's Clermont College.
His major was nutritional science. He joined the military to help pay for college.
"It turns out after he left, I get the letter to say he was on the Dean's list," said Carolyn Maupin. "He had 4 A's and a B and he doesn't even know that yet."
The Maupins would spend Christmas of 2003 together before Matt would leave to Fort McCoy.
They said their goodbyes at the airport.
"Then I had to watch him walk down," said Carolyn Maupin as she took a deep breath. "Who would have known that would be the last time I would waive at him?"
The next time Carolyn Maupin would see her son would be like the rest of American -- on television.
It was on Friday, April 9 that Matt's convoy came under attack by a rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire near Baghdad.
Carolyn Maupin also recalls on that Friday that, "I told a bus driver, I said I don't feel comfortable today. There is something not right."
"And the convoy was on the TV and I went to myself 'No, that isn't Matt's, but I kind of knew it was," said Maupin. "I just didn't want to face it, but I kind of knew it was Matt's."
A week later the Al-Jazeera television network broadcast a videotape showing Matt on the floor, surrounded by masked men holding rifles.
"I'm Keith Matthew Maupin," said the soldier in the video.
"It was a scary day to look at that, but to see Matt, he didn't seem to be frightened," said Carolyn Maupin.
The last seven months have now been a waiting game.
There has been little information available since Al-Jazeerah aired the videotape.
"I don't know if its the fear of the unknown, because I figured if he's captured he don't have to worry about a car bombing and they're not shooting at him," said Keith Maupin, his father. "All he has to worry about is staying alive."
"I usually -- when I get up right before I leave to go to work -- I go to his picture and I put my hand up and I pray for him every morning to start my day," said his mother, Carolyn Maupin, "to give him courage and strength for what he may have to do -- and for myself."
In late August Carolyn Maupin went back to her job at the Clermont County bus garage.
Every day she passes the fence that the community has dedicated to Matt's memory -- and for his return.
"The word I usually look at is "Believe" when I go through there, because that reminds me to believe that one day it is going to be a joyful day and that helps me," said Maupin.
Support has also come from the president.
"He tells me he's praying for us and praying for Matt, and they're doing everything they can to find him," said Carolyn Maupin, "and I believe that."
When asked how long is she prepared to wait for her son's return, Carolyn Maupin replied, "I think, myself at this moment, as long as it takes because I'm not going to give up."
"Even on my bracelet that I have, I picked out with one of the charms that says 'Never give up' and I look at that every now and then when I start thinking other things," said Maupin, "and I think 'No, I'm not going to give up,' and I'm going to hold onto my faith in God and hold onto that, and it helps get through the day."
9News also asked Matt's father, Keith Maupin, about what's being done at home to help find his son.
He told 9News about the one item he is keeping on hold that he says his son is looking forward to seeing when he returns home.
"Just waiting for Matt to come back," said Keith Maupin, "when he comes back he'll have a car to drive."
Inside the garage at the Maupin's home sits a shiny, red Ford Mustang.
His son Matt bought it with his own money just before being deployed to Iraq.
"He would always ask about the car, Pheebie his dog, and the cat -- in that order -- and then how everyone else is doing, which is okay," said Keith Maupin. "We told him his car is in good shape and its in my garage."
The Maupins get through each day at the Yellow Ribbon Support Center in Union Township.
Pictures of Matt are packaged there and sent to soldiers in Iraq with a request.
It says, "Hi, these are pictures of our captured soldier Spc. Keith Matt Maupin. Please help us find him. Our prayers are with you."
The Maupins are also encouraged by the outpouring of support from the community.
"When I go down any street, I notice every yellow ribbon and I think how great it is they have remembered not only Matt, but all of them," said Carolyn Maupin, "and each time I see them I say a prayer and it makes me feel good."
What makes Keith Maupin feel good is taking care of his son's car -- and the thought of one day seeing him back behind the wheel.
"It'll be here when he gets here."
On Wednesday morning Matt's parents will attend the dedication of a new exhibit at the Pentagon in the Washington, D.C. area.
The exhibit will honor the service and sacrifice of American soldiers, and Matt Maupin is included in the exhibit.
Please forgive the unsolicited pings. I want everybody who might be interested to know about Matt and to remember him.
More links about Matt and pictures may be found at:
http://www.cincinnati.com/news/maupin/
Ping
This should be a clickable link:
http://www.cincinnati.com/news/maupin/
Ping
Ping
Ping
Graybeard: Thank you for posting this article regarding Matt Maupin. God Bless you and your son, smaagee! The Canteen is so excited that he made it home safely.
I'm sure many of you on this thread may not realize this, but Graybeard's son wanted to help some of the Orphaned Iraqi children he met and thus, he began collecting items for those kids.
Ping Star, Mr.Tonkin, and Kathy!
Good morning smaagee's dad, and thanks for the reminder about Matt's story. To remind everyone, he's with the same company in Iraq that smaagee was in. I know all in the hobbit hole will continue to pray for Matt's return home.
Thanks for the ping. I had to stop reading several times so I wouldn't be a blubbering mess at my desk.
Huh?
It would be more of a travesty to just forget the people that put their lives on the line for us and their families who make sacrifices right along with them.
Graybeard - thank you for bringing this story to light once again. Contrary to what others think, it is *important* to remember *all* of those who lay it all on the line for us, even if it means reminders from time to time. We all become too engrossed in the daily stresses of our own lives and these stories are all too soon forgotten. Please thank your son for me, as well.
I do hope and pray he's okay, and they find him.
Thank God for hope and thank you for the post.
I will continue to pray for the family and for Matt.
Thank you so much for posting this thread. I shall pray for Matt and his family.
One can have faith that the boy will return! I hope the family has read "Escape in Iraq" by Thomas Hamill. It is full of hope.
I feel that too Graybeard. On Thanksgiving Day as I sat with my son-in-law at the head of the table we were all so thankful that Tom was here with us this year. But, we had the sense that our prayer vigil must be stronger than ever for those who are still in danger.
Last year, Tom was in Baghdad. This year, he was at the head of the table with me, my daughter and their 4 children, and our prayer was for those still away from their families. For me, there was still a great sense of having children I missed in the war zone. I know it won't stop till Matt and all the others are home.
Thank you for the ping, otherwise I would not have known. I hope and pray for Matt's return. He is a true hero.
Tearful Thank You for the Ping, Graybeard. I will be Praying on bended knee, with all my heart, that Matt comes back to the arms of his family.
PING
I had been following this story and posting a few articles when they were available.
I had even tried to have bracelets made but nobody will admit what his status is, and thereby, those that make the bracelets cannot make them. I am quite angry about it.
We only have one man missing and we are not doing anthing to keep him the minds of the American public.
When the Utahn disappeared that had a lot of buzz, still nothing for SPC Maupin.
My heart goes out to the family this holiday season and prayers that he is alive and is waiting for us to rescue him.
As I said in a previous post on the thread, I had tried to find a way to have a MIA/POW bracelent and met with resistence. I frankly cannot understand why, there is every chance he is alive and waiting to be found, to know that there are many who wore his name, to not forget one of our FINEST would be an honor and to give to him when he returned what be the best, if anyone has any other ideas how to accomplish this, please let me know!
Here is an article I had posted a while back.
Maupin family holds out hope (we must NOT forget this fine soldier - please take time to read)
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