Doolittle Raider Tom Griffin Dies-- Part 3

At the ceremony for Raiders who have passed on, there will be a roll call.  When Griffin's name is called, Lt. Col. Richard Cole, 97, and oldest survivor, will give a report on Griffin.  At the end of the names, white-gloved cadets will pour cognac into the four remaining survivors' goblets and the toast, "To those who have gone" will be given.

The four remaining Raiders:

Lt. Col. Richard Cole of Comfort, Texas
Lt. Col. Robert Hite
Lt. Col. Edward Saylor of Puyallup, Washington
Master Sgt. David Thatcher of Missoula, Montana

Originally, the plan was to have the last two survivors toast, but with advancing age, it was decided to have it this reunion.

There will be another gathering later this year and a bottle of 1896 cognac will be opened.  That is the year in which Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle was born.

Tom Griffin was a native of Green Bay, Wisconsin and settled in Cincinnati after the war and opened an accounting business.  He was preceded in death by his wife and is survived by two sons.  Service will be March 9th at Green Township Veterans Park and there will be a B-25 flyover.

So Sad to be Losing Doolittle's Raiders.  --GreGen