Posted on 04/09/2006 1:21:45 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
AP Photo/David Kohl
Carolyn Maupin, mother of captured Army Sgt. Matt Maupin, listens to a guest at the Yellow Ribbon Support Center, Saturday, April 1, 2006 near Batavia, Ohio. Nearly 30,000 pictures of Matt Maupin are circulating around Iraq, a loving effort by his parents to locate the only U.S. soldier still listed as missing since his capture two years ago.
BATAVIA, Ohio -- Nearly 30,000 pictures of Matt Maupin are circulating around Iraq, a loving effort by his parents to locate the only U.S. soldier still listed as missing since his capture two years ago.
Carolyn Maupin steadfastly hopes that someday, someone will recognize Matt, and he will come home.
She refuses to consider the alternative.
"I honestly thought he'd be back by now," she said. "I didn't think it would take this long.
Pictures of Matt are placed inside the boxes of goodies sent to troops in Iraq by the Maupins' Yellow Ribbon Support Center - a storefront operation near the Sam's Club where Matt used to work.
"We put 10 pictures inside each box with a little note asking them to please help us find him, and also thanking them for defending our freedom," Maupin said.
Sgt. Keith Matthew Maupin is known as Matt because Keith is also his father's name. He was a 20-year-old private first class in the Army Reserves when he was captured April 9, 2004, when his fuel convoy, part of the 724th Transportation Co., was ambushed west of Baghdad.
A week later, Arab television network Al-Jazeera aired a videotape showing Maupin sitting on the floor surrounded by five masked men holding automatic rifles.
That June, Al-Jazeera aired another tape purporting to show a U.S. soldier being shot. But the dark, grainy tape showed only the back of the victim's head and did not show the actual shooting.
The Army ruled it was inconclusive whether the soldier in the second tape was Maupin, and he has been promoted twice since his capture.
After a routine review a year ago, the adjutant general approved an Army board's recommendation to continue Maupin's status as "missing-captured." That has not changed, and there are no plans for another review, said Maj. Nathan Banks, an Army spokesman in Washington.
President Bush has met with Keith and Carolyn Maupin on trips to nearby Cincinnati, and they have been briefed at the Pentagon about efforts to find their son.
The Maupins have helped get computers to soldiers in Iraq to give them access to e-mail and college courses, and they hope to raise $100,000 at a dinner-dance Sunday to fund scholarships in the name of area soldiers who have died in Iraq.
"They have a great deal of courage," said Republican Rep. Jean Schmidt, an avid supporter who lives in Loveland near the Maupins' hometown. "They've kept the candle burning for Matt; they're also keeping it burning for every member of the military."
Carolyn Maupin, 56, says she has changed a lot since her son's capture.
"I talk more than I ever thought I would," she said "I used to be a lot like Matt - quiet."
The Maupins declined all interviews at first, then gradually began attending public ceremonies.
"I didn't carry on very well the first three or four months," Carolyn Maupin said. "Then one day I decided it was time for me to go back to work. And really, I think it's become my safe haven."
Magnetic yellow ribbons hang from cars all over southwest Ohio, and fabric ribbons are festooned on trees, poles and every parking meter on Batavia's Main Street.
Seeing those is the best part of visiting home for the Maupin's other son, Marine Cpl. Micah Maupin, 21, who is stationed in California.
"I'm excited that people haven't forgotten about him," he said. "They're still in the fight with him."
Micah Maupin won't be going to Iraq with his unit in June because of a neck injury he sustained in a motorcycle accident. He said his chances of ever going are "slim."
Despite the uncertainties she faces, Carolyn Maupin is sure of one thing about Matt:
"One day, he'll be back."
PING
Thanks FMC, for keeping this going.
God bless his family for their persistent search for their son. I only hope that more of our military have people who care about them that much.
Bump to the top
I thought of him and prayed for him and his parents at church this morning.
I saw his parents on Fox news the other day. They do their son honor. Until he comes home.....prayers for them all.
His parents..
I have to admit that I forget about Matt Maupin from time to time. Thanks to FreeRepublic I can remember and pray for him. Please God, give his marvelous parents some comfort.
Sergeant Maupin, You are not forgotten.
Tears and prayers for Matt and his family. Their hardship is heartbreaking. As doubtful as it may be, let us all pray for his safe return.
Prayers sent for Matt and his family.
"President Bush has met with Keith and Carolyn Maupin on trips to nearby Cincinnati, and they have been briefed at the Pentagon about efforts to find their son."
Really? Geeze. And President Bush wouldn't meet more than ONCE with Mother Sheehan? And she became a Media Star harrassing the President when he had IMPORTANT issues like this to deal with? *Snort*
This is the saddest story of the war. I can't believe that ANY of our troops could end up missing. After 20 years in service, I STILL "count noses" when I'm in a crowd. I feel like I'm part Border Collie, but it's the Army training of ALWAYS knowing where my troops are at all times. His Commander must be still beating himself up over this.
Thanks for keeping us updated. I hope there's a good outcome for this. Matt's Mom is a ROCK who spends a lot of time helping other Moms get through some dark days. She is one Class Act. :)
Matt is still in our thoughts and prayers, we all are hopeful for a positive outcome!
Giving another bump for Matt.
BTTT
Continuing to pray for Matt Maupin and his wonderful parents. God bless them.
I just returned home from the "Let Us Never Forget" dinner-dance to raise money for a special scholarship fund honoring Matt Maupin and 28 other OH, KY, and IN soldiers and Marines killed in action . . . an AWESOME event for an equally awesome group of families. May God continue to bless them all!
APRIL 9 SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Tonight's dinner-dance at the Oasis Country Club in Loveland is sold out, but the Yellow Ribbon Support Center is still seeking donations for its April 9 Scholarship Fund, a tribute to Matt Maupin and 28 Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana soldiers and Marines killed in action.
Checks made out to the April 9 Scholarship Fund can be deposited at any Fifth Third Bank or can be mailed to the Yellow Ribbon Support Center, 700 S, Eastgate Blvd., Suite 430, Cincinnati 45245.
Money raised for the scholarship fund will be divided 29 ways, with each family of a fallen soldier or Marine designating a school to administer the scholarship money.
For more information, call the Yellow Ribbon Support Center at (513) 752-4310.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060409/NEWS01/604090406
Thanks for the ping!
BTTT
Prayers always for Sgt. Maupin and his loved ones.
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