Community... What Technology Can't Duplicate

Back in April 2004, Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin, from Batavia, OH just east of Cincinnati was captured while serving in Iraq. Over the next four years, the Cincinnati community rallied around him, his family and the phrase, "Love Never Loses Its Way Home." Although, not the only Tri-State soldier to make the ultimate sacrifice serving in Iraq, for many people Matt became the name and face of this war.

Although it wasn't a ticker tape parade, celebrating his safe return, the fact that his body was found and returned to his family is its own kind of miracle.

This weekend, Cincinnati got a chance to say goodbye to a native son and I think our city offered, a very fitting tribute (at least as is possible) for someone who made the ultimate sacrifice.

People lining the route from the airport to the visitation.

Yellow ribbons lined the route, from the airport to the visitation, roughly 10 miles.

Here comes a hero

A hero passes by

Crowd at Great American Ball Park

The funeral on the infield of Great American Ballpark

A Cincinnati boy, gets his name on the scoreboard.

Two flyovers took place including the missing man formation for the 4 years that Matt was missing.

Procession leaving the ballpark on the way to the cemetary.

Several hundred Patriot Guard Riders, who attend funerals across the country of fallen soldiers in order to ensure protestors don't disrupt and disrespect the ceremony, joined the procession to the cemetary. They just kept coming and coming, which was a site to behold.

Images are my shots of the procession from the airport including a yellow ribbon that lined the route every few feet to the visitation on Saturday April 26, 2008, which was a 20 hour vigil. In addition, are pictures of the funeral on Sunday, April 27, 2008 at Great American Ball Park.

For more info from the Cincinnati Enquirer click here.