Parents of kidnapped soldier rely on faith, belief in son
The Times-Reporter
BATAVIA, Ohio (AP) The parents of a U.S. soldier missing since he was abducted in Iraq in April say faith in God and belief in their sonıs strength and determination have helped them cope with the ordeal.
³You become a lot more faithful with God and you hold on tight, because you just donıt know what the next thing is going to bring.² Carolyn Maupin, mother of Army Reserve Spc. Keith ³Matt² Maupin, told the Dayton Daily News for a story on Wednesday.
Matt Maupinıs father, Keith Maupin, said the family knows he will come home.
³Heıs very meticulous, intelligent, very responsible,² Maupin said of his son. ³If anybody can make it, Matt can make it.²
Carolyn Maupin, interviewed at her Clermont County home in southwest Ohio, said her family has received tremendous support from well-wishers throughout the country.
The Maupins say they have received more than 10,000 cards and letters of support.
³You see how everyone who cares about him is in there helping and praying,² Carolyn Maupin said.
Her home is filled with pictures of Matt, who turned 21 on July 13. There also are tiny yellow ribbons, photo buttons, American flags and posters of prayers, poems and shared, personal thoughts. A DVD contains photos of President Bushıs three visits with the Maupins since their son was captured.
The Maupins, who have rarely talked publicly since their sonıs capture, agreed to be interviewed Tuesday about the support they have received. They would not answer questions about where their son is or what the Army has told them.
The Army lists Maupin as captured, and the U.S. military continues to search for him. Reports on Arab TV that Maupinıs captors executed him are inconclusive, Army officials said two weeks ago.
Itıs an emotional roller coaster,² Keith Maupin said.
Carolyn Maupin said she constantly thinks about her sonıs bravery and her pride in him.
³He is our hero,² she said.
İ2004 The Repository