Wabash Valley says goodbye to soldier

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - For the past two weeks, the family and friends of Sgt. Dale Griffin had prepared themselves to say goodbye and on Wednesday a fallen hero, son and friend was laid to rest.

Sgt. Griffin was killed in Afghanistan on Oct. 27. Within days of his passing, Sgt. Griffin's death caught national attention. His casket was even brought before President Barack Obama at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

Sgt. Griffin's parents were the first to allow full media coverage of a returning fallen soldier, since it was banned during the first Gulf War.

Nearly two weeks after arriving back in the United States, Sgt. Griffin made his final trip home to Terre Haute. His close family and friends held each other as they watched his flag-draped coffin come off the plane and loaded into the hearse.

Tuesday, hundreds poured in to pay their respects at a visitation at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Then on Wednesday, thousands lined the streets for the Veterans Day procession to pay their respects to a fallen soldier. Many of those who lined the streets then filed into the Terre Haute South Vigo High School gymnasium for the funeral.