Loveland Magazine

Carolyn Maupin: “There was a Prisoner of Worry”

LOVELAND, OHIO – Gold Star mom, Carolyn Maupin was the guest speaker at Monday's Memorial Day service. Maupin's son Matt, was murdered in Iraq after being captured by insurgents. She spoke about finding out how many people didn't know what the terms, Blue Star, Gold Star, and POW/MIA was. She said that on finding out that her son had been captured, there was not only a Prisoner of War, “But there was a prisoner of Worry.”

A Blue Star Service Banner contains a blue star for each family member who is on active duty and in harm's way. The Gold Star Banner can be flown, displayed, or worn when a family member died during that service. The POW/MIA flag is an American flag designed as a symbol of citizen concern about United States military personnel taken as prisoners of war (POWs) or listed as missing in action (MIA).

Maupin's very short speech was full of personal emotion as she talked about the trials she has gone through during the time of her son being reported captured, and his return in a coffin last year. She waited for four years, “But, Matt didn't walk off that plane that day.”

She thanked the community for all of the prayers of support for her, and her son, and said, “Our troops haven't given up on us. So... let's not give up on them." She urged everyone to keep flying the American flag, and, “put out those yellow bows.”

She said, “God can get you through trials and tribulations that you would never dream you could go through.”

“God bless all of you, our troops, and America.”

Reds Sweep Astros

CINCINNATI, OHIO - Jay Bruce went 3-for-4 with two homers, a triple and four RBIs, against his hometown team, the Houston Astros, on Wednesday night in the Red's 6-1 win for a three-game series sweep. It was Bruce's 13th and 14th home runs of the season.

Bronson Arroyo threw his first complete game of the season. Now at 7-3, he leads the National league in wins. Arroyo gave up five hits, four singles and a double, with three strikeouts, and one walk.

The Reds now head into a seven-game road trip against the two teams ahead of them in the National League Central – first-place St. Louis Cardinals, and second-place, Milwaukee Brewers. The win put the Reds six games over .500, and are 17-9 in the Central.

The Reds are 1-½ games behind the Cardinals, and a half-game behind the Brewers. They play three games in Milwaukee, then four in St. Louis.

Career Transitioning Ministry May 26th Meeting

Key Tips for Financial Security During a Transition

The Career Transitioning Ministry (CTM) offers practical, personal and
spiritual support for individuals who have lost their jobs or are concerned
about losing their jobs. It is open to the public, free of charge and
requires no pre-registration to attend. This ministry is being offered
through Epiphany United Methodist Church and River Hills Christian Church.

Meetings are held each Tuesday from 7-8:30 PM. On the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays,
we will meet at Epiphany UMC (6635 Loveland Miamiville Rd.). The 2nd and 4th Tuesdays we will meet at RHCC (6300 Price Rd.).

May 26th Topic at RHCC:

Key Tips for Financial Security During a Transition

• Joseph P. Kuethe, Investment Representative with Edward Jones in Milford
• Steve Daniels, business owner with a history of senior executive management in banking..
• Marsha Byrum, CDPE, (Certified Distressed Property Expert)

We ask from those who have not shared our pain and suffering...

By Staff Sergeant Tom Vormwald,

All Americans should take the time to reflect what the Veterans of this great nation have sacrificed. If you like the freedoms you have today than take time from your busy schedule to thank a Veteran for them, or say a prayer for the families they left behind.

For he or she has done the job that you could not, or would not (because of religious beliefs or other reasons) have done.  It's part of who and what we are, those that did their time in the service of this great nation and paid for it with their sweat, blood and their tears.

On Memorial Day we honor those that have paid the supreme sacrifice so that this nation and its people would survive. We as Veterans are all bonded by many things, a place, or a time in history. On Memorial Day we honor our comrades that have left our ranks for the final muster.
We assemble many times a year to pay homage to our fallen comrades who have left our ranks. This is the burden we carry as survivors of the campaigns and battles to never ever forget the ultimate price they paid for the freedoms all Americans enjoy today.

Love for our country drives us to join the services, which guard our country and our way of life.

Pain and suffering with our brethren is our burden and our bane. We shall carry this burden as long as we trudge through this life on Earth.

We ask from those who have not shared our pain and suffering ---

Remember those we left behind on the fields of honor on this Memorial Day and every Memorial Day each year.

Never forget the sacrifices they made so that this great nation and its people could have the freedoms they enjoy.

Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)

Editor's Note:
Vormwald, a resident of Loveland, Ohio, enlisted in the US Marine Corps on 29 September 1980 and served with B Company 8th Tank Battalion reserves. He reenlisted 3 January 1983 on Active duty with C. Company 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC.  In 1983 He deployed multiple times overseas with the Battalion attached to infantry units.

Vormwald then went on to the 3rd Marine Division for a year with C. Company 1st Tracked Vehicle Battalion Okinawa, Japan and rotated back to the United States to Camp Pendleton, CA. He reenlisted at Camp Pendleton, CA and received orders back to Camp Lejeune, NC in 1986.  He said, “I spent 4-plus more years at Camp Lejeune, NC when I decided my Family meant more to me then my career.”

In 2006 his son Thomas served in Iraq with 3rd Battalion 8th Marines 2nd Marine Division, Ramadi, Iraq. “I decided it’s not right to send your sons to war when you still can do it. So... I now serve with the 123rd Air Control Squadron, Ohio Air National Guard.  Blue Ash. Ohio, as a Staff Sergeant, Computer Systems Operations Specialist.

Vormwald's son Matt will be deploying to Afghanistan in July. The elder Vormwald said, “So I do not know what will happen in the coming months.”