Jack

A Crusader For The

Common Veteran

In Honor Of

MSG. Jack Griffin

June 25th 1944 to June 1st 2001

~~~~~~~

He was getting weaker and

more tired,

and his mood was falling fast,

And he sat around the

keyboard telling stories

of the past.

Of a war that he had fought

in and the

Deeds that had been Done,

In his exploits with his

buddies-- they were

heroes, every one .

And though sometimes to his neighbors,

his tales became a joke,

All his chatroom Buddies listened,

for they knew where of he

spoke. But we'll hear his

voice no longer,

for Jack has Passed Away,

And the worlds a little Poorer,

for a Soldier Died today.

He was just a common

Soldier, and his ranks are growing

thin, But his presence should remind us ,

We may need his likes again.

For when Countries are in conflict, then we find the

Soldier's part,

Is to clean up all the troubles

that others ,often start.

If our Country couldn't

give him Justice,

While he was here to listen

to the praise,

Then at least let's give him

honor, at the ending of

his days.

Perhaps a simple notice on

the Internet today,

" Our Country is in

mourning, cause a

Soldier Passed Away."

~~~~~~~~~~

From your fellow Nam-Vets and friends

on the internet,

Fordman, Budlite, Mac, Darby,

Hillbilly, Cavegirl, Doc,

And all their families.

"Reflections" is the speech my husband Henry gave at the closing ceremonies of 'The Moving Wall Experience' on Veteran's Day 2003 in Birmingham, Alabama at Elmwood Cemetary. I hope you like it....

~~Reflections~~

Veteran’s Day 2003 ~ Birmingham, Alabama

Perhaps the most memorable thing to those who visit “The Wall” on any given day is the reflections……It’s reflections

have made it famous almost since day one.

There’s alot of people that will never actually realize the powers of those reflections like another Vietnam Vet. It’s

pretty hard to even begin to explain it……

To say the least…

Some things just cannot be put into words.

I think perhaps the best way to say it from

a Vietnam Veterans point of view is…..

Standing before that massive list of

names on that granite wall & seeing my reflection

in it’s polished surface connects me back to those

who paid the ultimate price……

When I look at my own reflection on its face I feel

that we are all together once again…..

Thousands of men & women forever bound

within the same reflection with no difference made

by which one made it home & which one didn’t……

My own reflection silently whispers back to me……

We will forever be all one……

Soldiers, brothers who fought in Vietnam….

For some unknown reasons I was lucky & I made the

journey home, altho differently than the names

etched in stone…..Forever I’ll wonder exactly why…..

But while I’m wondering what the reason may be I’ve

been trying to spend my time helping others who

made it back like me , together we will go on fighting whichever war we must, & every time I see my own

reflection upon that granite wall I’ll whisper back …..

& know that I am heard because there are no barrier’s

there when I look into the wall…… We are simply…..

All the soldiers that are forever bound by Vietnam.…..

I can sense every Vietnam Veteran that sees their own reflection there upon its face is connected just the

same as I …..

It’s not something that we exchange in words,

it’s in their look or a simple ……“Welcome Home”.

Those of us that did make it home from Vietnam ….

Many of us came home with other battles that we

have continuously fought for over 30 years…..

Some of us have lost those battles or we have lost

more buddies right here in our own country

& we still do. For that reason I hope that you have

taken a few minutes to visit Jennie LeFevre

& The Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange

“Quilt Of Tears” display. Just as clearly as you feel

the connections to “The Wall” I think you can connect

to the Agent Orange “Quilt Of Tears”…

You are not alone there either ….

Just like the “Wall” I am sure you will see some

more reflections……there upon these quilts……

We are all forever bound by Vietnam……

Thank you & Welcome Home!

Master Sergeant Jack F. Griffin

lost his life to Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, Peripheral Neuropathy,

& Diabetes on June 1st, 2001

All were illnesses directly associated

to his exposure of Agent Orange while serving his tour with the United States Army in Vietnam.

I've created this Memorial Page as a

tribute to my husband's buddy Jack Griffin in hopes that he knows how much his friendship meant to Henry & all the others that shared thru both the good times & bad.

Your suffering is over my friend but we will miss you always.

May you rest in peace among the angels, you earned it by living as

a true American hero & devoted friend to all.

Jack....

It's odd the way I never got to meet you in person or got to give you a hug, but you were a huge part of my life for quite a long time just the same. Oh, the hours that you & Henry would sit & talk (voice chat) on the computer! I can't even begin to count them!

When it was quiet in our house I knew that you were back in the hospital once again, I could also see it in Henry's face.

I remember the day you bought your dream fishing boat so well! You were like a little boy & so happy! It made me laugh just listening to you & Henry talk about the fishing you would do. I also remember how you returned the boat soon after you got it because the cancer took a turn for the worse & you were