Sussex Co. sailor welcomed home
SEAFORD, Del. – A Sussex County family welcomed their sailor home on Saturday after he was gone for almost a year.
“I think when you come home, moments like this, it definitely is worth it,” says Patrick Griffin, an undesignated Aviation Boatswain’s Mates-Handlers (ABH) in the U.S. Navy.
Patrick Griffin was welcomed home in Seaford after training in the Navy for a year.
“It was definitely a very sweet moment for me because I really haven’t laid eyes on him for like a year now,” says Tashanda Griffin, Patrick’s mother.
The 22-year-old finished two years of college before enlisting, an experience his family says shaped who he is today. “From being in uniform, how he acts and the different stuff he went through in boot camp and it made a positive impact on his life. I can definitely tell,” says Anyea Griffin, Patrick’s older sister.
“I feel like it’s rewarding to watch him because I feel like he went from a boy to a man real quick,” says Tashanda Griffin.
And like any military family, it’s not easy being apart. “It’s definitely hard. We grew up together so this is our first time being separated for so long,” says Anyea Griffin.
But Patrick feels his family’s support from almost 3-thousand miles away. “They call me almost every day telling me you know you’re doing good. You’re doing good out there. Just stay focused,” says Patrick.
It’s those words of encouragement that Patrick’s mom uses to remind her son that his sacrifices aren’t going unnoticed. “He’s serving our country for much more than just our family. So for that I’m very proud of him,” says Tashanda Griffin.
“It feels pretty good just to see all my family and just feel the love they’re giving me,” says Patrick.
And while he’s here, Patrick is making sure to pass that support on to his Woodbridge High School family. It’s a place he’s reminded about lately after Troy Hayne’s, a football player, recently lost his battle with cancer.
The Griffin family gathered on their porch Saturday to say, “We want to extend our condolences to the Hayne’s family. Live like four.” One military family taking the time to remind us all that we’re stronger together.
Patrick is home on leave for two weeks and says he’s excited to eat all of his favorite home cooked meals. From all of us at 47 ABC: Patrick, thank you for your service.
