California’s War Dead

    Darrell R. Griffin Jr.

    Darrell R. Griffin Jr., 36

    Army, Staff Sergeant
    Balad, Iraq
    Gender: Male
    Hometown: Alhambra
    He said that the people there really needed us and he felt it was the right place to be. He wished we didn't have to have wars, but since that's the way mankind is, he felt he was contributing an important part to his country.
    — Darrell Griffin Sr., father

    Griffin was awarded a Bronze Star with Valor in 2005 for his role in saving the lives of three U.S. soldiers and two Iraqi soldiers injured during battle. "Last Journey: A Father and Son in Wartime" a book co-written with his father, was released in 2009.
    Times obituary
    NPR: Interview with Darrel Griffin Sr. about the book he finished after his son died
    « Agustin Gutierrez, 03/29/2007
    John E. Allen, 03/17/2007 »
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    Four memories of Darrell R. Griffin Jr.

    These are the words of my beloved husband sent to me four days before his death... "Dearest Diana, Spartan women of Greece used to tell their husbands before they went into battle, to come back with their sheilds or laying on them, because they died honorably in battle, but if they did not return with them, this showed that they ran away from the battle, cowardice was not a Spartan virtue. Tell me you love me the same, by me coming back with my sheild or laying on it...I LOVE YOU MY SPARTAN WOMAN OF STRENGTH AND VIRTURE... Love, Darrell"...My husband a remarkable,intellectually brilliant Philosopher, the man who loved me beyond words...I will love him forever throughout eternity. "STRENGTH & HONOR" my love.

    — Diana Griffin
    May 22, 2009 at 2:58 p.m.
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    Gob bless this soldier!!

    — Doug
    July 15, 2011 at 9:23 a.m.
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    I bought a new KIA Braclet from RangerJoes.com, I recieved this Fallen Soldiers Name on my Braclet. I fought in Iraq and served in the Army for a while. I appreciate the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice. RIP Brother...

    — Carlos
    September 2, 2011 at 3:33 p.m.
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    THANK YOU!!!!!!! For your sacrifice, words do little to describe our sincere gratitude. However, There is a hope for a future where such wonderful people will not have to die in the wars of the world. ISAIAH 2:4 And he will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore....REV 21:3,4-"death will be no more"

    — krystal
    March 30, 2012 at 1:14 p.m.
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    California's War Dead is the Los Angeles Times' collection of stories about the 700 California servicemembers and 474 others based in California who died during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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