Griffin Family Tribute – The Best is Yet to Come
We, the Griffin Family, have been moved to make another public statement to express our love and admiration for this community. It has been just over eleven
years since our son, Sgt Dale Griffin, was killed in Afghanistan by enemy forces. That was the last time that we went public with our gratitude for the overwhelming love and support that was given to our family during those trying times. You held and lifted us up, providing your sustaining love and hope, during our time of loss. Thanks again for that! We Will Never Forget!!
Since that time, we have been building the Griffin Bike Park, in partnership with the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department. The Park is a national- caliber riding area and recreational tourism destination for the Wabash Valley located in Vigo County. The 300-acre park is designed to provide riders from all backgrounds, ages, skills, and abilities with a wide range of exciting riding opportunities. The park is designed as a community hub and directly engages and inspires local youth, young adults, and families in a sport that promotes healthy, active, outdoor lifestyles and provides exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences. The World-Class Memorial park also honors and remembers our Military Heroes that have given their lives for our Freedom since 9/11.
So, we want to reach out again, feeling humbled and inspired, to express that our hearts are filled to overflowing, as we consider the many ways you have
“made a difference” in our lives. We have been so impacted by this Community’s overwhelming moral support, as well as the emotional, spiritual, and temporal
contributions they have bestowed upon us. What a journey it has been as we have come together to build this memorial park.
Thanks to the State of Indiana and Vigo County leaders like David Patterson, Director of Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau, then, Kara Kish and now Adam Grossman, Superintendents of the VCPRD; Rich Moore, Manager of Griffin Bike Park; Nat Lopes, designer of Hilride Progression Development Group; Blake
Griffin, trail builder of Brother Griffin Trail Solutions, LLC and Klaine Tanner with all the Friends of Griffin Bike Park; Shepherds of Griffin Bike Park, Inc.,
including more than 145 companies and families that have contributed over $2,250,000 with more than 25,000 volunteer hours donated by over 2,200
individuals. Please read the list below, realizing that it is an incomplete list at best. These are those who have been there to help us build this dream. Here’s one of the
truest statements made to date about this miracle park.
“The Griffin Bike Park is a model project – a true collaboration among state and local government and the community at large. It’s about tourism and economic
development, quality of place and quality of life, but perhaps most importantly, it’s also about honoring those servicemen and servicewomen who have fought and laid down their lives for the protection of our freedoms, our friends, and our families.” Lt. Governor, Suzanne Crouch Our hearts are pounding with Gratitude! Your
support came first from your compassion for our Loss and then moved to an effort of fostering a community cause to honor and remember the fallen.
None of this was motivated by a desire for accolade or applause, but rather from respect and concern for a family in your community. With this passion in effect,
we have witnessed the culmination of a resounding Legacy that will forever have an impact on those in the Wabash Valley.
Now, with purposeful collaboration with our stakeholders, along with plans in hand, we see the “Best is Yet to Come”. Soon to be revealed, is our 2025 Vision Plan that will take us to the next level with our efforts to maintain and expand the park’s ability to serve the community at large while continuing to honor those who have paid the ultimate price for freedom.
May we all push forward with Faith & Hope as we light the way to our 2025 Vision Plan. Your light has brightened our paths and paved the way to an illustrious
future. God Bless You All and Thanks to the Moon!
Click here for the Griffin Family Ad and donor list.
