DaytonDailyNews.com

UNION TWP., Clermont County — Yellow ribbons shone like dandelions in the sun and American flags danced in the breeze as thousands paid solemn tribute to a local soldier's ultimate sacrifice.

It was a bittersweet homecoming for Army Staff Sgt. Keith Matthew "Matt" Maupin, whose funeral procession and visitation drew thousands of people to Clermont County on Saturday, April 26.

A long, solemn funeral procession left Lunken Airport before 8 a.m., after the family spent time with the casket inside 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 led 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.

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.

An emotional ride

Following the Maupin family and the U.S. Army Honor Guard were the Patriot Guard Riders and about 200 bikers, from other veterans groups and motorcycle clubs.

Paul Santiago, assistant captain for Ohio's chapter of the riders' group, estimated that 10,000 people holding flags, candles and signs lined up along the sidewalks, rural roads and front yards along the route.

Santiago and other riders said emotions overflowed for them as they rode in the procession. At Veterans Park, where thousands of white crosses serve as a memorial for Vietnam veterans, a local National Guard unit stood at attention as they passed by. Earlier, a soccer game was stopped and the two teams lined up to watch the procession.

"There were a lot of tears running down faces," Santiago said.

A day to remember

Joyla Givens of Union Twp. waited with her two young children and hundreds of others in the visitation line. The 33-year-old said she didn't know Matt, but went to the same high school, Glen Este. She said being there brought the war home for her.

"It's just very sad. And it's very honorable. I don't think we can begin to appreciate what the soldiers give up," Givens said. "I want my kids to know how important this is. I want this to be a day they can remember and one day know the significance of it all."

Wanda Crouse and Eve French are members of the First Baptist Church of Glen Este, where Matt Maupin was baptized as a teenager and where hundreds from the community gathered for a special Sunday service after he was captured in 2004. As they stood in line to pay their respects, the Union Twp. residents said the Clermont County community, where Matt was born and raised, was "100 percent united" when it came to bringing him home.

"I don't think this country will ever forget Matt Maupin," French said.

Crouse agreed, stating that Matt will be remembered for a long time for his sacrifice.

"He feels like a son. He feels like family," she said.

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 screen shots from the insurgents video, 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.

Roberta Krutka and JoAnne Abramsohn, who are among the core group of volunteers at the Yellow Ribbon Support Center, went through the visitation together.

Krutka said after this weekend, Keith, Carolyn and Micah will need a time for healing.

"When everybody goes home and the news media goes away, it's quiet. But that's when (the Maupins) need our prayers to lift them up and get them through this," Krutka said.

Abramsohn said she has made friends for life at the yellow ribbon center, where work will continue to support the troops and their families.

"There's still a lot of our boys over there, and I don't think the war will end any time soon," she said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2122

or rwilson@coxohio.com.

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