Father and Son in Wartime

U.S. troops withdrew from Iraqi cities at the end of June, transferring security responsibilities to Iraqi forces. Many of those troops are going on to fight in Afghanistan, others are returning home to their families.

One soldier’s father, Darrell Griffin, Sr., holds no hope for a reunion with his son. On March 21, 2007, Staff Sgt. Darrell "Skip" Griffin, Jr., was shot by a sniper in Iraq during his third tour of duty. Skip kept a journal and corresponded regularly with his father. They'd planned to co-write a book on Skip's return.

So Darrell Sr. completed their book instead. It’s called Last Journey: A Father and Son in Wartime. It’s a rare view of a rank and file soldier’s life, and an intimate portrait of what gets left behind when a soldier dies.

Last Journey reviewed by Anthony Swofford

The New York Times: Father’s Tribute, Fulfilling Son’s Wish

Excerpt from Last Journey: Chapter One

(Photo courtesy of Darrell Griffin, Sr.)