From an
April 23, 2004 DOD briefing:
The Department of Defense announced today a change in the status of a soldier serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom from duty status - whereabouts unknown to captured.
Pfc. Keith M. Maupin, 20, of Batavia, Ohio, was declared captured on April 16.
On April 9, Maupin and Sgt. Elmer C. Krause, 40, of Greensboro, N.C., were categorized as duty status - whereabouts unknown when individuals using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire attacked their convoy. Both soldiers were assigned to the Army Reserve's 724th Transportation Company, from Bartonville, Ill.
That briefing came after Al-Jazeera broadcast a video showing him held hostage. As far as anyone knows, he is still being held hostage in Iraq
to this day
His father Keith:
Keith Maupin said aside from taking a moment to remember our servicemen and women, we should teach our children about the importance of the sacrifices they make.
On April 22nd:
With the lights dimmed and Pfc. Keith Matthew Maupin's picture projected on a screen above Wednesday evening, the captive soldier's father and younger brother walked to the front of First Baptist Church of Glen Este and lit a 6-foot-tall electric lantern as a symbol of hope for his safe return.
Then the lights rose in the cavernous church and an overflow crowd of nearly 1,300 people in the prayer service for the 20-year-old Glen Este High School graduate stood, waved American flags and sang "God Bless the U.S.A."
The nearly two-hour service was patriotic and spiritual, solemn and joyful as this tightly knit Clermont County community gathered for the third time in a week to pray for and show support for its native son, now held captive in Iraq.
Maupin's mother, Carolyn, gave a short address on videotape in her first public comments since her son was reported missing April 9.
"I want to sincerely express our family's gratitude for all of your support," she said. "It is truly amazing to see how everybody across the nation is sharing in prayer and support for Matt.
"Believe in that. Believe in the United States military. Believe in prayer."
Maupin's younger brother Micah, who returned last week from Marine training in Pensacola, Fla., and his father, Keith, switched on a lantern that will remain illuminated 24 hours a day to "light the way home" until Maupin returns from Iraq.
And the local community DID rally around the Maupin family. Many people wrote letters to them, offering their support. One letter from a sixth grader, particularly touched their heart:
Dear family of Matt Maupin,
I wrote you this letter to tell you that I am in deep sorrow and grief for your son. I wanted to let you know that I know that in my heart Matt will make it back perfectly safe. I've been keeping him in my mind and prayers, and Matt is a very brave and courageous person. I really hope that you all feel better and I'm sure that you pray for him, and just keep your faith in God. And if you do those things, you can definitely be sure that he is coming home soon.
Sincerely, Jacob Kelch (6th-grader at Glen Este)
M - Magnificent
A - Awesome
T - Truly brave
T - Trying hard to give Iraqis freedom
M - Marvelous
A - Always fighting hard in the war
U - Unwilling to give in to the terrorists
P - Patriotic
I - Into his country
N - Never going to give up
This young soldier's capture affects all of us:
Shortly after her 20-year-old son was sent to Iraq in February, Carolyn Maupin got in touch with Pfc. Keith Matthew Maupin's fourth-grade teacher at Willowville Elementary School.
Would you mind, she asked Pam Branham, having your fourth-graders write letters to Matt?
Branham, who taught Matt Maupin a decade ago, was more than willing. Shortly before their spring break, every fourth-grader in the class wrote to Matt, asked how he was doing, told him about the NCAA basketball tournament, thanked him for serving for his country.
Maupin never got the letters.
On the first day back, three days after Maupin was reported missing after an attack on his convoy near Baghdad on April 9, several students were waiting to meet Branham as she came into the classroom.
"Did you hear about our soldier?" they asked her.
Since then, these fourth-graders have learned how an international conflict half a world away can come right into their classroom. The war that seemed so abstract has been given a face - the smiling face of a former Glen Este High School football player who's become a symbol for all American troops at war.
"I was worried about the impact his capture would have on these kids," said Branham. "They invested their hearts in this, and that's always a risk. But this has given them an opportunity to think about and talk about some serious things.
"They want to know what's happening to Matt, and they want to know if he's coming back," Branham continued. "And all I can tell them is, 'I don't know.'"
This fourth-grade class of about 20 kids, who had also written letters to another former Willowville student serving in Iraq and to an entire Army platoon, has become the school's epicenter of patriotism and support for American troops.
Their classroom became a warehouse for toothbrushes and shampoo bottles, Pop-Tarts and playing cards, sunglasses and sunscreen. The school filled a minivan with toiletries and nonperishable food items, which will be sent to American troops through the armed forces support group, 4 The Troops.
"Kids can make a connection to this," said Mia Supe, co-president of 4 The Troops. "Writing letters to troops opens (kids') eyes. It connects them to the real soldiers and lets them know that war is terrible, but it's sometimes necessary."
Like any group of Americans, these fourth-graders have disparate feelings about the war.
"The reason we went to war is because we want to fight for freedom and to protect our country," said Josh Neff, 11.
"We also went to war because President Bush thought they had mass weapons of destruction (sic)," added 10-year-old Adam Porter.
No matter what, said Elizabeth Hollinden, 9, "the troops need to know that someone cares for them and appreciates what they're doing for our country."
Two local soldiers have written back to the class.
Sgt. Bobby Elliott sent Branham a letter and four bills of Iraqi money. Former Willowville student Chris Flinn wrote Branham that he learned patriotism during the school's annual Memorial Day parades.
Many of the students said they pray for Maupin's safe return and want to thank him in person for fighting for freedom.
Branham is praying, too.
"When you're teaching a kid in your class, they're your kid forever," said Branham, who is in her 31st year teaching at Willowville Elementary School. "Once they're in your heart, they always stay in your heart."
Branham has discussed Maupin's captivity delicately with her students, but she says they always want to talk about him.
"Kids are resilient," said Branham, whose 23-year-old son serves in the Army National Guard. "They took it OK when they learned about Matt."
She wiped away a tear.
"Probably better than their teacher took it."
If you want to read more messages of support for the Maupin family, or add one of your own, click here. Some of them will bring tears to your eyes.
George Bush? Never mentioned this soldier's name once, not even on Memorial Day. Rumsfeld? Same. Nothing for the Maupin family, not even a word of condolence.
This man has been in captivity in Iraq for over two months now. The only ones keeping this story alive are the bloggers and the Cincinnati local media. We need to do more to raise awareness about this!
Do you want to do something? You can do it, even if you're not from Ohio. Click on the link and send his Congressional representative, Ron Portman, an email.
Or if you prefer the old-fashioned way:
238 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3164
Fax: 202-225-1992
If you live near Cincinnati, call 513-791-0381.
Let's bring this soldier home!
Peace
-Soj