[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E951]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN HONOR OF CAPTAIN DON GRIGG

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 26, 2010

  Mr. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a good man who left 
this world much too soon. On May 7, 2010, our State and Nation lost a 
great patriot when decorated Vietnam War veteran, tireless veterans 
advocate and long-time congressional staffer Captain Don Grigg died at 
the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Little Rock. He was 71 years old.
  Captain Don Grigg was a proud Arkansan and an even prouder American. 
I had the privilege and honor to know and work alongside Captain Grigg 
for the last 10 years and I am a better person for having done so.
  There are few men in America like Captain Grigg. He was a true 
American hero, relentless veterans advocate, dedicated public servant 
with strong morals and an even stronger personality. With his passing, 
America has lost one of its biggest fans and veterans have lost one of 
their staunchest supporters.
  Captain Grigg served this country with bravery and honor in both the 
U.S. Marine Corps and the Army. He fought in the Vietnam War, earning a 
Silver Star for gallantry in action, a Bronze Star and two Purple 
Hearts for injuries he sustained in the line of duty.
  Captain Grigg has served veterans in Arkansas for many years in a 
number of capacities, including as a congressional aide to both former 
U.S. Congressman Jay Dickey and myself. Most recently, he served the 
people of Arkansas's Fourth Congressional District as senior district 
aide for military and veteran affairs in our Pine Bluff office. In this 
role, he worked around the clock to help veterans cut through the red 
tape and get the benefits they deserved. And, he was never shy about 
getting the information and help these veterans sought. When Don Grigg 
called, the VA office answered.
  In 2008, Governor Mike Beebe appointed Captain Grigg to the 
Governor's Commission on Veterans Affairs. Captain Grigg was also one 
of the originators of the Arkansas Vietnam Veterans Memorial and served 
on its executive committee, overseeing the memorial's design and 
construction. And, for more than 15 years, Captain Grigg served as the 
Coordinator of the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program of the Southeast 
Arkansas Economic Development District, devoting his time to help 
Vietnam veterans find jobs following the war.
  Above all, Captain Grigg was known for his love of country and faith 
in God. He is survived by his loving wife, Lisa; his two children, 
Grant Grigg and Danielle Pinney; his two grandchildren, Sam and Anna 
Marie; and, by numerous friends, family members and coworkers whose 
lives will be less rich because he is no longer in them, including 
mine. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this 
extraordinarily difficult time.
  Our Nation is better, safer and stronger because of heroes and 
patriots like Captain Grigg. As I honor him today in the U.S. House of 
Representatives, Captain Grigg is being laid to rest at Arlington 
National Cemetery alongside thousands of other American heroes.
  Today, I ask all Members of Congress to join me as we honor the life 
of Captain Don Grigg and his legacy, as well as each man and woman in 
our Armed Forces who gives the ultimate sacrifice in service to our 
great country.

                          ____________________