I was taking a photo of the Huey Helo flying through an explosion. I took the photo from Hill 327 in 1970. I don't know how the Marine got in the photo. For many years I was unsure who he was.
At the 50th Reunion of our Basic Marine Officer class I reconnected with my friend and we determined it was him. Notice the halo over his head. He was that kind of guy. The photo is untouched.
Semper Fi
Touched up photo below:
March 3, 1945 ~ August 12, 2021 (age 76)
OBITUARY
Judge Marlin Woodrow Griffin, Jr., Virginia 8th Judicial District, 76, of Wake Forest formerly of Hampton, Virginia, passed away Thursday evening, August 12, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born in Suffolk, Virginia to the late Marlin W. Griffin, Sr. and Edith Mae Nelms Griffin.
Marlin, known to most as “Woody”, graduated from Old Dominion University in 1968, Complete OCS with the United States Marine Corps and served in Vietnam 1968-1971 achieving the rank of Captain. Received Juris Doctorate from the University of Memphis School of Law 1974, Served as Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney 1976 - 1980. Practiced law privately from 1980-2009. Served as General District Court Judge 2009-2015. Woody was a caring and compassionate man who strove to serve his country and community to the best of his ability.
A service to celebrate Judge Griffin’s Life will be held at 3 o’clock, Friday, August 20, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church, 514 S. Armistead Avenue, Hampton VA 23669. Inurnment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Judge Griffin is survived by his wife of 26 years, Karen Johnson Griffin; children, Jessica Frederick(Fred) of Wake Forest, Brian Massie(Angel) of Chesapeake, VA, Matthew Griffin(Marisa) of Hanceville, AL and Shiloh Davidson(Bill) of Wake Forest; grandchildren, Michael(Heather), Maria(Carlos), Amber, Amaya, Amara, Britton(Hailey), Evelyn, Lillian, Ethan, Vivian, Gwendlyn, Adalyn, Bryce and Benjamin; great-grandchildren, Milo, Quinn, Estrella, Yareli, Yazmin, Erabella and Yajayra; sister, Marjorie Griffin of Williamsburg, VA, Barbara O’Neil(David) of Powhatan, VA and Jenny Austin of Suffolk, VA; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First Presbyterian Church, 514 S. Armistead Avenue, Hampton VA 23669.
The paintings and sketches of Marlin Woodrow Griffin were painted by Dr.John Michelman, inspired by the photograph above.
I took this photo in Vietnam in 1970. I was taking a shot of a Huey helicopter flying through smoke from an explosion north of Hill 327 near Danang, Vietnam. I don't know how the young Marine got into the photo. The photo is unedited taken with a small simple camera.
The photo is reflective of the pensive sadness and loss and confusion of the Vietnam War. How we were young and together for a short time and then were lost to each other. And how memories fade.
The Marine in the photo looked ethereal. I only recently noticed the halo over his head.
The definition of ethereal is someone or something that is light, airy or heavenly.
I thought the Marine might be a friend of mine, Marlin Woodrow Griffin, who I trained with in Quantico, VA and who went to Vietnam the same time I did. He and I met up several times in Vietnam. We had similar jobs - he in the 1st Marine Division and I in the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. We took our Marines to China Beach one day for a little fun in the sun.
I tried to find him over the years but never succeeded. Then, last year at our first ever reunion which was also our fifty year reunion of our Lieutenant Basic School Class at Quantico, VA, basicschool.us, my friend and I reconnected. My wife Beth and I met Marlin Woodruff Griffin, his wife Karen and his son Matt.
I shared the photo with them and all of us agreed that he was the Marine in the photo. His family was thrilled to get the photo. He had gone on to a very distinguished career as an Attorney and Judge.
Dr John Michelman is a good friend and neighbor. I showed him the photograph and he was inspired to draw and paint the studies and paintings in this blog and to share it with Woodrow and Karen and Matt. Thank you very much, John. Lovely work.
March 3, 1945 ~ August 12, 2021 (age 76)
OBITUARY
Judge Marlin Woodrow Griffin, Jr., Virginia 8th Judicial District, 76, of Wake Forest formerly of Hampton, Virginia, passed away Thursday evening, August 12, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born in Suffolk, Virginia to the late Marlin W. Griffin, Sr. and Edith Mae Nelms Griffin.
Marlin, known to most as “Woody”, graduated from Old Dominion University in 1968, Complete OCS with the United States Marine Corps and served in Vietnam 1968-1971 achieving the rank of Captain. Received Juris Doctorate from the University of Memphis School of Law 1974, Served as Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney 1976 - 1980. Practiced law privately from 1980-2009. Served as General District Court Judge 2009-2015. Woody was a caring and compassionate man who strove to serve his country and community to the best of his ability.
A service to celebrate Judge Griffin’s Life will be held at 3 o’clock, Friday, August 20, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church, 514 S. Armistead Avenue, Hampton VA 23669. Inurnment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Judge Griffin is survived by his wife of 26 years, Karen Johnson Griffin; children, Jessica Frederick(Fred) of Wake Forest, Brian Massie(Angel) of Chesapeake, VA, Matthew Griffin(Marisa) of Hanceville, AL and Shiloh Davidson(Bill) of Wake Forest; grandchildren, Michael(Heather), Maria(Carlos), Amber, Amaya, Amara, Britton(Hailey), Evelyn, Lillian, Ethan, Vivian, Gwendlyn, Adalyn, Bryce and Benjamin; great-grandchildren, Milo, Quinn, Estrella, Yareli, Yazmin, Erabella and Yajayra; sister, Marjorie Griffin of Williamsburg, VA, Barbara O’Neil(David) of Powhatan, VA and Jenny Austin of Suffolk, VA; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First Presbyterian Church, 514 S. Armistead Avenue, Hampton VA 23669.
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June 7, 2019 Basic School Reunion Photos
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Hk2dxxUPQVxYsqPq6
Photos From the Movie at the Marine Museum
https://photos.app.goo.gl/dt3RNA1VJQ4emsyD6
https://basicschoolphotos.blogspot.com/
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facebook.com/basicschoolhotelcompany69
https://slideshowbasicschool.blogspot.com/
Slide Show Photos
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