VSPA Members:

DoD Identifies Air Force Security Force Casualty Staff Sgt Travis L. Griffin 377th Security Forces Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M. The Department of Defense announced today the death of an airman who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sgt Travis L. Griffin, 28, of Dover, Del., died April 3 near Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 377th Security Forces Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M. SSgt Travis is the twelth KIA/LOD SFS Airmen in the terrorist war.

Please remember SSgt Travis L. Griffin and his family in your thoughts and prayers in the coming days.

Don Poss, VSPA Webmaster.

Commonwealth Journal
Published: April 10, 2008 07: 40 am 

Staff Sgt Travis Lee Griffin, 28, of Kirtland A.F.B. died Thursday, April 3, 2008, in Iraq.

He is survived by his wife, Krista; a son, Elijah; his parents, Christine and Donald Herwick III of Springboro, Ohio; and his father, Larry Griffin. Travis also leaves his two brothers, Donald Herwick IV, of Burlington, Wis., and SrA Jesse Herwick of Colorado Springs, Colo.; also his grandparents, Susan Miller of Melbourne, Fla., Agustus Campitelli of Fort Myers, Fla., Hilder Bauer of Bellville, Ill., and Donald Herwick Jr. of Hudson, Fla.

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 12, at 1 p.m. at the Clearcreek Christian Assembly of God.

Visitation will be Friday from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home, 40 North Main Street, Springboro, Ohio.

Burial with military honors in Springboro Cemetery.

This obituary information is a courtesy of Lake Cumberland Funeral Home.

The Funeral of SSgt Travis Lee Griffin -- Rick Adams, 823rd CSPS , Sun, Apr 13 2008, 7: 45: 31 PDT (MW-ESR1-208-102-177-212.fuse.net/208.102.177.212)
The Funeral of SSgt Travis Lee Griffin

The day was cool and damp, but the Patriot Riders were in force, at least 100, if not more. They provided an honor guard at the church, escort to the grave site and escorted the caisson. Well done ladies and gents.
The military presence was overwhelming. There was enough brass to equip a jungle full of male monkeys and more stripes than in a prison. Brig. Gen. Mary Hertog was there, along with another Brig. Gen. Several full Cols, some Lt. Cols, a Maj. or two, a lot of Capts. and some Lts. I counted 7 Chiefs, at least 5 Seniors, a smattering of Masters and Techs and a squadron of SSgts and lower. All in their best dress. It was to say the least a grand turnout.

Not to be outdone by the military, the civilian presence was quite large. The high Sheriff, a couple of local PD Chiefs, honor guards from the Sheriff, the State Police, the Mayor of Springboro and a US Congressman.

The services started at 1300 hrs and lasted until 1500 hrs. MSgt(r) Donald Herwick III, the step-father of SSgt Griffin, gave a very moving remembrance of Travis. A brother, a SF SrA. told stories of Travis. Another brother played a song for Travis, on a guitar given him by Travis’ wife that had belonged to Travis. A high school chum, who is in the Navy, told of his friendship with Travis. Brig. Gen. Hertog said some very kind words praising SSgt Griffin for his work. His squadron commander, at Kirkland, spoke of the work done by Travis at Kirkland AFB. An awards ceremony was then conducted and SSgt Griffin was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, a second AF Commendation and at least one more award. From the information given about SSgt Griffin, this was one top troop. His family can be very proud.

The procession left the church for the short drive to the cemetery led by the Patriot Guard with there flags waving in the breeze. Police escorts with lights flashing. The entire 2 mile route was lined with flags and people. It was a great showing of patriotism by the people of Springboro and quite moving.

At the grave site there was a bagpiper, 7 marksmen and the Wright-Patterson AFB honor guard. The casket had been placed on a caisson pulled by two large draft horses and transported to the grave site led by Brig. Gen. Hertog. The unit was followed by a large group of Patriot Guard riders and the military personnel. A full military ceremony was performed and was very well done. Flags and cases were presented to the wife, father and mother. The military Chaplin spoke and the services were ended.

I was able to talk to the family and presented a Challenge coin to the wife, father and mother. I also spoke to the 824th SFS troop from Moody AFB, who had escorted the SSgt Griffin home. I can tell you all, I am very impressed with these young troops. You just want to hug them and shake their hands and tell them how proud you are of them. All they want to do is protect their buddies. It makes me feel so proud that there are still people like them in this world. They are truly Great Americans. I then returned home feeling better for having spent a few hours in the presence of such fine people.

Rick

Airman Killed in Iraq
Courtesy of: https://www.sather.afnews.af.mil/news/story_print.htm?id=123093702

Airman Killed in Iraq: The Pentagon late on April 4 identified SSgt Travis L. Griffin, 28, of Dover, Del., as the US Air Force airman killed around noon Baghdad time April 3 when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. Griffin had deployed to the Multinational Force Division-Baghdad from the 377th Security Forces Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M. According to a Multinational Force-Iraq release, the airman was on patrol in Baghdad at the time of the IED attack.
4/4/2008

Fallen security forces Airman honored at Sather, Balad   SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq -- Airmen from Detachment 3 of the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, mourn the loss of their fallen comrade, Staff Sgt Travis Griffin who was killed in action while conducting a patrol in Baghdad April 3. Sergeant Griffin, a Springboro, Ohio, native, was a member of the Police Transition Team, and conducted training and transition operations with Iraqi Police forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt Amanda Callahan) by Tech. Sgt Amanda Callahan 447th Air Expeditionary Group 4/9/2008 - SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq -- Memorial services were held April 5 and 6 here and at Balad Air Base, Iraq, for Staff Sergeant Travis Griffin, a member of the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Detachment 3. Airmen, Soldiers and civilians of both bases gathered to pay their respects for Sergeant Griffin, who was killed in action April 3 while performing his duties as a truck commander with Shadow squad 3-1 on patrol in Baghdad, Iraq. His vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device, mortally wounding him and injuring his three fire-team members. Sergeant Griffin, a Springboro, Ohio, native, was a member of the Police Transition Team, conducting training and transition operations with Iraqi Police forces. The ceremonies began with a welcome and invocation by chaplains assigned to the bases. "Let me tell you about Sergeant Griffin," Tech. Sgt John Neal, 732 ESFS, DET-3, began during the ceremony here. "He was a leader; he was brave, and he was God-fearing. He did his job and he did it exceptionally well. You could not have asked for a better man for this job." There were many others who spoke about Sergeant Griffin's professionalism, dedication and exemplary performance. They also told of his shining personality and compassion for others. "As his commander, I knew Staff Sgt Griffin as one of the finest NCOs I've ever had the honor to work with," said Maj. Allan Fiel, the detachment's commander. "He led from the front and was always prepared. While he was one of the finest NCOs... he was an awesome friend." Major Fiel continued by telling of the flight he spent the evening talking with; the people who worked closely with Sergeant Griffin. He told the crowd of Airmen, Soldiers and civilians of the stories they shared in their grief; trying to remember the good times and work through this most difficult time. "While Sergeant Griffin's death dealt a deep blow to all of us, we can take comfort in knowing that he died doing what he loved to do," the major said. "He heard his nation's call and he shouldered the most difficult responsibilities so others didn't have to." Another speaker at the Sather ceremony, Staff Sgt Ryan Dornan, continued, "Travis, I want to tell you 'thanks,' with your leadership and training, our squad knew to react exactly the way you trained them in that situation. We tried everything we could to try to save you. You would've been proud of your squad, 'cause we were so very proud of you. Travis, you'll always be in our hearts and minds forever. We love you, brother." Emotions ran thick throughout the large tents where the ceremonies took place. Following the remarks at both locations, Sergeant Griffen's Bronze Star citation was read. It included a long list of brave and heroic acts. A flag was then folded somberly by the Sather AB honor guard, followed by the rifle volley. Taps could be heard throughout the small Air Base, and the attendees seemed to feel each note to their cores. "He'd be the first to say, 'the mission must go on,'" said Chaplain (Capt.) James Claggett, 447 AEG chapel, during the Sather AB ceremony. "We need to be ready to roll." "He would've laid down his life for any of you, and I know after talking to you, you would've done the same for him," the chaplain spoke to the members of Det. 3. "Know the love that he had for you, and the love you have for each other -- that is what will endure. Now is the time to watch out and care for each other. Find peace in the strength of conflict. When the time comes, you will find the strength to lead, and you will be ready to roll."

 

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