Thousands Honor Matt Maupin

Posted By Laughing_Wolf

Soldier's Mom wrote me this weekend about the funeral of SSG Matt Maupin, letting me know that more than 4,000 people filled the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati for his funeral. He is home, he is honored, and his family knows that people truly care about him and -- most of all -- about them.

WLWT has a story and video here, the Enquirer an article here (and actually notes why the missing are important) and coverage of the funeral here, and WCPO has stories here.

Godspeed Matt. May the light shine down on your family, and they are blessed to know how many people truly care.

LW

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Comments

[Lands’nGrooves]

RIP SSG Maupin.

[dellbabe68]

Many, many candles were lit for Matt and his family. May
God be with them. I am so glad he's home.

[Steve O.]

Matt;

Rest in Peace, Hero....

You will never be forgotten.

[Mr.Sparkle]

RIP

[mindy1]

RIP and I am so sorry-thanks.

[NH Trooper]

God Bless SSG Maupin and his family. FWIW, I've heard FOX News and my local station (WMUR) both refer to SSG Maupin as being "taken hostage". Maybe I'm mitpicking here but he was "captured" in combat not swept out of his bed in the middle of the night.

[rick554]

Rest in Peace SSGT, and may God grant your Family comfort. Thank you for serving Matt
God bless our TROOPS!

[Ken]

I must have been living in the People's Republic of California too long. That ceremony and the accompanying news coverage was something I thought no longer existed in this country.

It is very heartwarming to see that there are places left in the US where a community can come together like that to honor a fallen soldier.

[AFSister]

Thanks for posting this, LW.
The Maupin family is incredible. Just incredible. I was honored to be there yesterday, and wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else in the world. Matt's date of death is known only to God at this point, but as far as the rest of us are concerned, it doesn't really matter: he's home.

Ken,
Southern Ohio has always been strong supporters of the military. I'm damn proud to live in a county that can publicly display yellow ribbons, flags, and signs like "God Bless Matt", and "Praying you home, Matt" for four straight years. The closest military base is Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, about 50 miles north, but the level of public support shown around here has stunned even Pentagon officials. No lie. Had one tell me that he's never been anywhere- including DC- that shows such public support of our military. It really is incredible.

[Soldier's Mom]

AFSister:

I lived in Fairborn for a LONG time before moving back to Texas. I was not surprised to see LTG (Retired) Campbell there -- he has been with the Maupins since day one. I was surprised to hear that LTG Stultz was there. He is commander of Army Reserve Command (where I work for a few more weeks before transferring) and I'll just leave it at that.

And you are right -- I've never been anywhere (and I'm a "brat")that shows as much patriotism and support for the military as SW Ohio.

I hope that now Carolyn and Keith and their other children can find some solace and peace in their hearts -- Matt is home with God. And I hope that everyone will go check out the Yellow Ribbon Center -- they intend to keep it going -- they are phenomenal people.

[AFSister]

Soldier's Mom-
Wright Patt, eh??
I was born there while my Dad was in Vietnam.

small world...

Having LTG Stultz present was HUGE. Our military and government was well represented Sunday. (except that our newly elected governor called Matt's sister "Luann" instead of "Leann" during his speech. I wish they would have had Portman or Schmidt speak on behalf of the government- they are MUCH more familiar with the family.)

[Soldier's Mom]

The Marine near the casket in most of the pictures is Matt's younger brother, SGT Micah Maupin. He just re-enlisted on 9 April -- the 4th anniversary of Matt's capture. I read somewhere that he is getting ready to go to Iraq -- I think he's stationed out at 29 sticks right now.

One thing I did notice when they would sweep the crowd in the video that I didn't see any Air Force -- probably just missed them. But, they played a huge part in Matt's homecoming -- a very dear friend of mine -- Karen Giles (Colonel, USAF Reserves) is director of the Port Mortuary at Dover -- she and her staff received Matt's remains and prepared them to go home to Ohio. She's a marvelous woman who cares deeply about all of our military.

[Mike in NY]

GOD BLESS. Safe Tour.

[Smittie]

I was serving in Kuwait when SSG Maupin's convoy was hit and he was captured. I've thought about him often and always hoped they'd find him alive somewhere. I'm sorry that wasn't the case. I'm glad he's finally coming home.

Welcome home, Staff Sergeant Maupin. Rest in peace.

Smittie