Arlington, VA via bus and train for a burial and Memorial Service for the recently announced human remains from the Oct. 27th 2009 IED explosion that Dale was killed in while serving in Afghanistan. The Families of the those fallen soldiers were all informed, in a manner that was tragically similar to our initial meeting with Military officials to find out that Sgt Dale R. Griffin was KIA, that among the wreckage and shrapnel that has been gathered from that day's explosion there remained some human remains. The DNA is unidentifiable and would be buried in Arlington Cemetery under a grave marker with all the Soldiers' names on it. The memorial service was on Veteran's Day 2010, one year after our memorial for Dale here in Terre Haute, IN.
This photo is of all of us in Chicago just outside the train station. Family photos are not taken as often as we would like so the few moments when we are all in the same place are taken advantage of because we all often recall how delicate life is as well look back at photos of Dale. Photos that there won't be any more of nor opportunities to take photos with him.
Griffin Family, Again our heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your wonderful and heroic son Dale. Your family deserves all the recognition you have received and MORE. We admire you so much for the way you have dealt with your loss by celebrating his life and "showing up" for him in every conceivable way and protraying your-selves as a family that is loving and supportive of him in every way. We love and support you in every way. John and Wendy Ruppel
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