First Louisiana National Guard Soldier Killed In Blackhawk Helicopter Crash Returns Home [Video]

Chief Warrant Officer 4 George Wayne Griffin Jr., 37, arrived yesterday afternoon to the Louisiana National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility in Hammond. Griffin is one of four Louisiana National Guardsmen who perished in a helicopter crash earlier this month.

There will be a wake held today at Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home in Hammond. From 5pm to 6pm it will be for family only, then it will be open to the public.

Tomorrow, Griffin will be moved to here to Lafayette for internment with full military honors at the Fountain Memorial Cemetery off Pandora Street.

From WDSU.com -

"These are not ordinary men. They were extraordinary people, as well as amazing aviators and crew chiefs,” said Lt. Col. John L. Bonnette II, commander of the 1-244th during a news conference. "When I say they were heroes, I mean it many times over. They risked their lives under difficult conditions flying in combat and during national emergencies to ensure our security and help save thousands of people. I don’t have the words to sum up their lives in a few sentences. You just can’t."