Thousands pay their respects to Maupin
By Richard Wilson
UNION TWP. ÑAs hundreds of people stood in line to pay their respects to the Maupin family, a military awards ceremony was held for their fallen son, Army Staff Sgt. Keith "Matt" Maupin.
Keith and Carolyn Maupin received several of their son's military decorations, presented posthumously at his funeral visitation today, April 26, at the Union Twp. Civic Center.
Those awards include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Prisoner of War Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and "as a member of the U.S. Army Transportation Corps" the Ancient Order of St. Christopher award, according to Army spokeswoman Maj. Annmarie Daneker.
High ranking officers and about 70 soldiers from Matt Maupin's company, the Illinois-based Army Reserves 724th Transportation Company, attended the ceremony inside the civic center, Daneker said.
"Everyone wanted to see him walk off the plane. But he came home. It lives up to one of the Army's highest values, to never leave a fallen comrade behind," said Maj. Jeffrey Smith, the former commander of Matt's company when he was taken hostage by insurgents in 2004.
The doors opened to the public at around noon. Hundreds of those wanting to pay their respects stood in line between dozens of Patriot Guard Riders who held flags along the path. Inside the civic center, a path leading to the flag-draped casket split in two to allow visitors to stream past the casket. Dozens of photos of Matt Maupin, from infant portraits to candid scenes from Iraq, were displayed along the walls.
Keith and Carolyn Maupin were able to greet visitors if they wished in a small reception area near the casket, Daneker said.
A long, solemn funeral procession left Lunken Airport before 8 a.m., after the family spent time with the casket inside of a hangar shortly after its arrival. It was the first real connection with Matt in four years for the Maupins, Keith, Carolyn and their younger son, Micah.
The procession traveled slowly along the route that lead to the Union Twp. Civic Center, passing a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park on Clough Pike, where thousands of Clermont County residents lined up in the early overcast morning.
Among the dozen Patriot Guard Riders in the official procession was Paul Santiago, assistant captain for Ohio's chapter. Santiago estimated that 10,000 people holding flags, candles and signs lined up along the sidewalks, rural roads and front yards along the route.
At least three fire departments in different communities hung large flags from engine ladders, forming a patriotic arch for the procession to pass through. The Ohio State Highway Patrol and police in every jurisdiction provided escort and blocked roadways to other traffic.
Bringing up the rear of the procession were about 200 other bikers, from other veterans groups and outlaw motorcycle gangs, Santiago said.
The public visitation will continue until 7 a.m. Sunday, April 27. Shuttle service is available from Eastgate Mall and TQL Headquarters.
Sunday Funeral Services for Army Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin
Sunday, 7-8 a.m.: Private procession leaves the Union Twp. Civic Center to go to the Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
11 a.m.: Gates open at the Great American Ball Park.
1 to 2 p.m.: Memorial services are scheduled.
2 p.m.: The procession is scheduled to leave from Great American Ball Park and travel to the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 11000 Montgomery Road. The procession will follow the route from Main Street, to Second Street, to Interstate 71 North, to Interstate 275, to Montgomery Road. At the cemetery, the casket will be transferred to a horse-drawn caisson for the private internment.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: The Metro bus service will offer free shuttle rides to and from the ballpark. Stops are on the following route Ñ Sycamore Street from Central Parkway to Third Street; Third Street between Sycamore and Vine Street; Vine Street between Third and Fifth streets; Fifth Street between Fountain Square and Government Square; Main Street between Fifth and Central Parkway; Central Parkway between Main and Sycamore.
After the private internment at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Montgomery, a dinner is planned for friends and family at the First Baptist Church of Glen Este.
For more information, visit
yellowribbonsupportcenter.com.
© 2008 Middletown Journal, Middletown, Ohio, USA