Karen's Blog

Edward Rex Griggs with his brother Larry and his Mom and Leora Ruth Rollins Griggs (Grandma Ruth) at Ft. Lewis 1941. Ed turned 21 on December 8, 1941 - the day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. His Dad - Grandpa Rex - was out in the field when Daddy found him to tell him that he was going to be called up. He was already active in the Sunset Division National Guard.

Edward Rex Griggs and Larry Malcolm Griggs. Just thinking about all the emotion around these pictures and sending a boy off to war makes me teary.

According to the website http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/41in-bde.htm . . ."In 1940, the 41st Infantry Division was inducted into Federal service for WWII. It became the first American Division sent overseas after Pearl Harbor, the first American Division trained in Jungle Warfare. It spent 45 months overseas (longer than any other Division), and earned the title of "Jungleers".

I do know that Grandpa Dick (moms dad) and Grandpa Rex(Daddys dad) were both involved in an organization in town (Union, Oregon) that would speak whenever a "boy" or "girl" was lost during the war. That was extremely hard duty for both of them, as they each had someone serving.

The two grandpas were neighboring ranchers in Union, Oregon - and, although they didn't know it at the time, their children - Ed and Jean - would marry at the end of the war - July 7, 1946. And - 1 year and 6 days later "along came Karen" -that would be me!

Happy Birthday Daddy!! Thank you for all that you have taught me!!