Missing soldier's family, friends release balloons amid food, games, music
By Christy Arnold
Enquirer staff writer
Carolyn and Keith Maupin received a new cargo van for their Yellow Ribbon Support Center Sunday. It will be used to help them mail packages.§
Red, white, blue and yellow balloons floated up, becoming tiny specks before disappearing against the gray clouds Sunday afternoon.
A red balloon left Carolyn Maupin's hands.
Keith Maupin let go of a white one.
Theirs were among 504 balloons released Sunday honoring the Maupins' son, U.S. Army Sgt. Matt Maupin, signifying the number of days the 22-year-old Union Township soldier has been missing since being captured in Iraq. "We're hanging in with each day," Carolyn Maupin said.
More than 250 people attended a service honoring Maupin on Sunday at American Legion Post 72 in Mount Carmel.
Maupin remains the only American soldier listed as captured after his convoy was attacked April 9, 2003, in Iraq.
The Maupins recently learned a $100,000 reward has been offered to Iraqis for information leading to his whereabouts and rescue, Carolyn Maupin said.
American soldiers also continue passing out photos across Iraq with hope of finding Maupin.
Sunday's celebratory rally-like atmosphere, complete with food, games and music, was far different than the scenes outside Crawford, Texas, where weekend protests pitted supporters of President Bush's Iraq policies against anti-war foes.
One soldier's mother, Cindy Sheehan, has captured national attention standing outside the president's ranch where other war protesters have joined her.
That's not how Carolyn Maupin copes.
"It doesn't serve any purpose protesting the war or the president," she told the attendees. "Please keep all the troops and Matt in your prayers."
Tears were shed
Many supporters began crying as Army Staff Sgt. Paul Brondhaver, dressed in fatigues, took the microphone and wept. The soldier was wounded in Iraq and was awarded two Purple Hearts.
"If you've never seen a soldier cry, that means you haven't heard me speak," Brondhaver said. "Whether you believe in this war or not, you must care about our men and women, boys and girls."
The service recognized the 30 local soldiers who have died in Iraq.
Edward Wright clutched the hand of his wife, Barbara, as their son's name was read out loud Sunday.
U.S. Army Spc. James C. Wright, 27, of Delhi, died Sept. 18, 2003.
"We're very proud of him," Edward Wright said. "We believe in what he was doing."
The Wrights came Sunday to support the Maupins, as did Congresswoman-elect Jean Schmidt.
The celebration also honored the Yellow Ribbon Support Center, which has sent 40 more computers for soldiers to use in Iraq, at what is now a computer lab named after Maupin.
The center also regularly sends gift packages, spending upwards of $1,000 a week around holidays in postage alone.
Mulberry Motors, of Milford, surprised the Maupins, who often used their own vehicles to mail packages, by donating a yellow-cargo van for the center.
"That is wild," Carolyn Maupin said. "I had no idea."
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