"Believe" -- a powerful word for the Maupin family
Reported by Shannon Kettler
She's never talked publicly about the day her son was taken hostage in Iraq, but now she's ready to break the silence.
The mother of captured Army Specialist Matt Maupin spoke candidly about her missing son.
Tuesday marks seven months since Carolyn Maupin's son was captured when his convoy came under attack in Iraq.
9News reporter Shannon Kettler sat down with Mrs. Maupin as she shared what life has been like for her since her son was taken hostage.
Seven months ago Carolyn Maupin says she was a homemaker with four kids trying to get by when her life suddenly turned upside down. She now talks about life without her son, the president, and the fear of the unknown. It's when night falls, at the end of the day, Carolyn Maupin listens to a song sent by her a stranger about her missing son.
"I'll pray you home -- wherever you may be," goes the lyrics to the song.
Her mind drifts back to when she last saw her son.
"When he left he was so proud, so proud of what he was going to do and he's just a very strong individual -- very, very strong -- and that's what I'm counting on to stay strong," said Maupin.
Born on July 13, 1983, Keith Matthew Maupin was the third oldest sibling who grew up excelling in sports and in school. "If he would get a 'B.' he would never like that because he always wanted the 'A's' in school," said Maupin. After graduation Matt Maupin enrolled at UC's Clermont College. His major was nutritional science. He joined the military to help pay for college.
"It turns out after he left, I get the letter to say he was on the Dean's list," said Maupin. "He had 4 A's and a B and he doesn't even know that yet."
The Maupins would spend Christmas of 2003 together before Matt would leave to Fort McCoy.
They said their goodbyes at the airport.
"Then I had to watch him walk down," said Maupin as she took a deep breath. "Who would have known that would be the last time I would waive at him?" The next time Carolyn Maupin would see her son would be like the rest of American -- on television. It was on Friday, April 9 that Matt's convoy came under attack by a rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire near Baghdad. Carolyn Maupin also recalls on that Friday that, "I told a bus driver, I said I don't feel comfortable today. There is something not right." "And the convoy was on the TV and I went to myself 'No, that isn't Matt's, but I kind of knew it was," said Maupin. "I just didn't want to face it, but I kind of knew it was Matt's."
A week later the Al-Jazeera television network broadcast a videotape showing Matt on the floor, surrounded by masked men holding rifles.
"I'm Keith Matthew Maupin," said the soldier in the video.
"It was a scary day to look at that, but to see Matt, he didn't seem to be frightened," said Carolyn Maupin. The last seven months have now been a waiting game.
"I usually -- when I get up right before I leave to go to work -- I go to his picture and I put my hand up and I pray for him every morning to start my day," said Maupin, "to give him courage and strength for what he may have to do -- and for myself."
In late August Carolyn Maupin went back to her job at the Clermont County bus garage. Every day she passes the fence that the community has dedicated to Matt's memory -- and for his return. "The word I usually look at is "Believe" when I go through there, because that reminds me to believe that one day it is going to be a joyful day and that helps me," said Maupin.
Support has also come from the president.
"He tells me he's praying for us and praying for Matt, and they're doing everything they can to find him," said Maupin, "and I believe that."
When asked how long is she prepared to wait for her son's return, Maupin replied, "I think, myself at this moment, as long as it takes because I'm not going to give up."
"Even on my bracelet that I have, I picked out with one of the charms that says 'Never give up' and I look at that every now and then when I start thinking other things," said Maupin, "and I think 'No, I'm not going to give up,' and I'm going to hold onto my faith in God and hold onto that, and it helps get through the day."
9News also spoke with Matt's father, Keith Maupin about what's being done at home to help find his son. He also told 9News about the one item he is keeping on hold that he says his son is looking forward to seeing when he returns home. Stay with WCPO.com and WCPO-TV for the interview with Keith Maupin on The Latest at 11 on Tuesday night.
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