Loveland Magazine

Ohio Soldier's Remains Found in Iraq

News stories from around the world about Matt Maupin

Link: Ohio Soldier's Remains Found in Iraq - Examiner.com.

BATAVIA, Ohio (Map, News) - Sgt. Keith Matthew Maupin's parents vowed to never let the U.S. Army forget about finding their son.

Their efforts included trips to the Pentagon and even meeting with President Bush, but they ended in disappointment Sunday: An Army general told them the remains of Maupin, a soldier who had been listed as missing-captured in Iraq since 2004, had been found.

"My heart sinks, but I know they can't hurt him anymore," Keith Maupin said after receiving word about the remains of his son, who went by Matt.

Link: Nation & World | Ohio Soldier's Remains Found in Iraq | Seattle Times Newspaper.

Link: Remains of Ohio soldier missing since '04 found in Iraq - Examiner.com.

Link: The Associated Press: Ohio Soldier's Remains Found in Iraq.

Link: Body found of Ohio soldier missing in Iraq - CNN.com.

Link: Iraq War's First MIA Is Dead - TIME.

Link: World news Feed Article | World news |.

CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO - County Mourns Death of Army Staff Sergeant Matt Maupin

CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO - “Matt is coming home; he has completed his mission,” said Keith Maupin, outside the Yellow Ribbon Support Center in Eastgate.  “After years of prayer and hope, we learned today that Matt died while in captivity.  While this is not what we had hoped for, at least we know.” It was four years ago that Matt Maupin, a Glen Este High School graduate, was captured by Iraqi insurgents while he was stationed near Baghdad.  DNA testing on remains found recently has confirmed his death.

“Flags are flying at half staff on Clermont County government buildings as a tribute to Matt, our native son, our hero,” said Clermont County Commission President Bob Proud.

“As parents, we are deeply saddened and still letting it sink in,” said Keith Maupin in a prepared statement.  “As Americans, we are proud of the continued efforts made by our military to return Matt home to us.  With the nation’s continued support, we will make it through this and hope to find answers about what happened to Matt.”

“I want to thank everyone who searched for Matt,” said a tearful Carolyn Maupin, his mother.  “I also want to thank everyone who has kept Matt and us in their prayers over these four long years.”  She said it was only through all the prayers and support that she was able to keep going.  “It hurts,” she added.
While many questions remain surrounding Staff Sergeant Maupin’s death, Keith Maupin said he knew that the Army would stand by the Warrior Ethos to leave no comrade behind.  “It is not easy, but we have faith and know we will see Matt again.”  Funeral arrangements are not yet available.

We will Carolyn, we will.

If only we all had the strength of courage of Carolyn and Keith

by David Miller

I have seen Keith and Carolyn Maupin many times over the years since their son was reported missing in Iraq. Today, the family was informed that Matt's remains have been identified.

Last year I saw Carolyn twice in the Loveland area, the first was at the Oasis Conference center on the night of the “Let Us Never Forget” scholarship fundraiser, where thousands of dollars was raised to provide money to families who have lost a loved one. The money in turn is used in local high schools to provide college assistance. I also saw Carolyn at the Buffalo Rings and Rings in Loveland last year, there again to help raise money for veteran's causes. Last May, a few days before Memorial Day, Keith was at Loveland High School helping to send off local motorcyclists to their annual pilgrimage to the “Roaring Thunder” rally at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Each time, it was Carolyn and Keith in a role of parent, and comforting whomever they talked to. I especially remember Carolyn at the oasis event as she worked the room that night greeting everyone she could, and you could see that it was Carolyn in role as mother, consoler, and comforter to families and soldiers who were in pain with worry about a loved one, or in fact grieving over a lost son, husband, father, or fellow soldier.

Carolyn was engaging, and in obliviously deep, emotional, and personal conversations, in a role of pastor to her flock.

The news tonight about Matt leaves me personally deeply saddened and somewhat numb, as I try to understand what Carolyn and Keith, the “parents” to us all - are now going through. Of course, I cannot even begin to imagine...

To each of them I would say however, that I owe your son a great deal of gratitude for his service and his life giving sacrifice, and I owe the two of you my heartfelt thanks for showing me just how graceful, peaceful, and loving people can be, when faced with truly trying and horrible circumstances.

Carolyn said today, “"Pray.  This is going to be very difficult, and stay by our side in support."

We will Carolyn, we will.

A message to the Maupins can be left at the Yellow Ribbon Support Center by following this link.

Maupins Confirm D-N-A is from Body of Son, Missing Soldier Matt Maupin

"Stay by our side in support."

(UNION TOWNSHIP, OH) -- Keith Maupin confirmed this afternoon that the remains of his son, Matt Maupin, have been identified by the army in Iraq.

In a statement Keith said "We are proud of the continued efforts of the military and the army to return Matt to us.  We must now work on efforts to return Matt.'

"Please keep the military and our family in your prayers."

Carolyn Maupin, Matt's mother said, "Thanks to everyone for their prayers and continued strength of the family."

"It hurts after four years of hope and this is what happens it is like a let down for me and I'm trying to get thru that right now."

"Pray.  This is going to be very difficult and stay by our side in support."

Keith says that the family was informed this afternoon about 1p-m by a three star general.  The body was identified by the D-N-A remains.

Link: FOX19.com and FOX19 News, weather, traffic, and sports for Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky | Maupins Confirm D-N-A is from Body of Son, Missing Soldier Matt Maupin.

Openly carrying gun not a crime

        Everyone but felons

By Bill Bush THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

n the political tussle over Ohio's concealed-carry gun law, one fact seems to have been overlooked by many: You never needed a permit to carry a gun in public, and you still don't --- you just can't conceal it.

Read on... The Columbus Dispatch : Openly carrying gun not a crime.

MLK slaying helped spiral year into tumult

King assassination 40 years ago this Thursday

WASHINGTON -- "The nation is sick," Martin Luther King Jr. told the crowd in the Mason Temple in Memphis, Tenn., that evening of April 3 in 1968. "Trouble is in the land; confusion all around."

Just after 6 p.m. the next day, as King stood on his hotel balcony, a white gunman fired a single shot that struck him in the jaw. An hour later, King was pronounced dead; within hours, riots broke out in 70 cities and towns, leading to 46 deaths and 2,500 injuries. Thousands of National Guard troops were called out to restore order.

Read on... The Columbus Dispatch : MLK slaying helped spiral year into tumult.

The milkman's last run

        Prices force customer favorite out of the business

By Mike Harden

Peggy Kose watched a piece of history walk out her front door on Thursday and marveled, "His family has had a key to our house since 1950. If we were gone, they knew how much milk we needed and would put it in the refrigerator."

All of that ended Thursday when Pickerington milkman Gary Bocock ran his route for the last time.

LRead on... The Columbus Dispatch : Mike Harden commentary: The milkman's last run.

McCain campaign likes Rob Portman for V.P.

BY ROBERT NOVAK Sun-Times Columnist

While Sen. John McCain will not decide on a vice president for many months, Rob Portman gets the highest marks inside the Republican presidential candidate's organization.

Read on... McCain campaign likes ex-Ohio rep for V.P. :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Robert Novak.

This photo of an old barn was taken last Friday on Kings Mill Road in Fosters along the bank of the Little Miami River.

LOVELAND, OHIO - Granny's Gardening Classes

Learn from the experts how to become a Victory Gardener in your own back yard!

Granny is bringing in the gardening experts from Turner Farm to offer a three part series of basic gardening classes that will leave you feeling like a seasoned green thumb and ready to start your own garden, This series is for those who are new to gardening or those who would like to refresh their knowledge. Sign up for all three classes or just one class. Classes are $12 each. All classes are at the Loveland Primary School.  Registration is required; please call 561-7400.

Wednesday, April 2, 6-8 PM  -  The Basic Garden Plan - Come ready to dream about spring. In this class, we'll cover site selection, site preparation, how to determine the appropriate amount to plant, where to get seeds and plants, and other aspects to consider when beginning a garden.  We'll also discuss how to keep a vegetable garden from being considered an eyesore and gardening in containers.

Wednesday, April 16, 6-8 PM   -  Seed Starting  - We'll cover all of the basics of starting your own plants from seeds, including how to take care of your new babies. 

Wednesday, April 30, 6-8 PM  -  Soils and Compost - Bring some soil from your garden site. We'll do some simple soil tests and learn about ways of preparing the soil for the upcoming season. We'll also learn about the basics of composting. Finally, we'll discuss methods of planting and how to get free compost from Granny.

Granny's Garden School is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.  They partner with, but are not funded by the school system. They raise our own funds through private donations, grants and annual fundraising events.

Their mission: Our children are losing touch with the natural world.  Granny's Garden School uses the school grounds to help kids discover the nature in their own backyards, experience the satisfaction of growing and preparing their own food and the simple pleasure of picking a flower. We collaborate with the schools and the community to offer fun and imaginative, hands on learning opportunities that compliment and enhance the school curriculum.