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4th Infantry Division Brigade Remembers Fallen Hero

By Sgt. Nelson Robles

4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

November 26, 2013

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Photo by Sgt. Nelson Robles, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

The family of Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Griffin unveil the memorial plaques in front of the newly christened Kevin James Griffin Memorial Building on Nov. 20, 2013, at Fort Carson, Colo. This ceremony ensured that Griffin would forever be remembered in the Mountain Warrior headquarters. (Photo by Sgt. Nelson Robles, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs)

What was once simply known as Building 9420 in the Wilderness Complex at Fort Carson, Colo., now stands in honor of one of 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division’s fallen heroes.

The building was dedicated during a ceremony Nov. 20.

Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Griffin, along with Maj. Thomas Kennedy, Maj. Walter Gray and USAID civilian Ragaei Abdelfattah, were killed in action while en route to a meeting with the governor of the Kunar province while deployed in Afghanistan on Aug. 8, 2012.

Griffin, a native of Riverton, Wyo., was the senior enlisted advisor to the 4th IBCT, 4th Infantry Division and the Mountain Warriors wanted to ensure that what he represented as a father, husband, Soldier and leader would never be forgotten.

Hundreds including family members, friends, and co-workers attended the dedication ceremony as Griffin’s family unveiled the plaques that would be installed on the building. These plaques will serve as a reminder to future Mountain Warriors of what a Soldier is and, more importantly, what a leader of Soldiers should be.

“You really can’t do enough to honor somebody like Command Sgt. Maj. Griffin but today was definitely a step in the right direction,” said Sgt. Andrew Mahoney who received a Silver Star Medal for actions during the attack on Aug. 8, 2013. “He was a great man and he was definitely a benefit to the Army, we would be better off if he was still in our ranks.”

Mahoney presented Griffin’s family with a memorial plaque to commemorate the occasion in front of the newly christened Kevin James Griffin Memorial Building.

“I can think of no higher tribute than to forever connect Command Sgt. Maj. Griffin with the Mountain Warrior Headquarters,” said Col. Brian Pearl, commander 4th IBCT, 4th Infantry Division. “I have no doubt he will watch over us and impact our Soldiers for years to come.”

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