Sault tribe orders flags to half-mast tomorrow

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT STE. MARIE TRIBE OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS

************************* All Sault Tribe offices: Flags at half-staff all day on October 14, 2009

In honor of the life he gave up for his country, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians will fly its flags at half-staff on the day of Army Sergeant Christopher Griffin’s funeral, Wednesday, October 14, 2009.

Please join us in flying your flags at half staff in honor of the life he gave up October 3, 2009, while serving a grateful nation in Afghanistan.

He and eight fellow soldiers lost their lives in the battle when his combat outpost was attacked by enemy insurgents.

Christopher was born April 10, 1985, in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

Christopher grew up in Kincheloe, Mich. where he liked to spend time around the fire hall with his grandfather and father.

He was a 2004 graduate of Rudyard Area Schools where he was involved in varsity wrestling.

There was never any question about what Christopher would do after high school.

From the time he was a young boy, he talked about the military and enjoyed computer gaming.

Just three weeks after high school graduation, he began basic training in the United States Army at Fort Knox, Ky.

Christopher had served in South Korea, in Iraq in 2006-2007 and was most recently stationed out of Fort Carson, Colo.

Christopher was also a proud member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

Christopher is survived by his parents, Kerri and Mel Causley of Petoskey, Mich., and Rick and Kathy Baker-LaDuke of Kincheloe; sisters Melissa Giddis of Boyne Falls, Mich., and Darcie, Katie, and Megan Baker-LaDuke of Kincheloe; brother Derrick Baker-LaDuke of Kincheloe; and nephew Eli Giddis of Boyne Falls.

He is also survived by grandparents Cherryl Baker of Kincheloe, Tom and Maggie Balgenorth of Kincheloe, and Marcia Griffin of Goetzville, Mich., and many uncles, aunts and cousins who will miss him dearly.

Christopher was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Larry Baker and Kenneth Griffin.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 14 at 2 p.m. at the Rudyard Area Schools Gymnasium.

Contributions may be directed to Rudyard Area Schools for a Scholarship in Memory of Christopher at Rudyard Area Schools, P.O. Box 246, Rudyard, MI 49780. Reamer Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford, Michigan is serving the family.

Condolences may be sent to the family at this website.

************************* Earlier SooToday.com coverage of this story

Street to be named for fallen Kincheloe soldier