Griffith addresses Biloxi National Cemetery observance





Lt. Gen. Clark Griffith speaks at the Biloxi National Cemetery this morning. To hear the program, click here.

The United States can’t afford to lose the war on terrorism, and politicians and citizens need to do their part to support the war effort, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Clark Griffith told hundreds on hand this morning for the annual Memorial Day observance at the Biloxi National Cemetery.

“If we don’t take this seriously and win this war, you can expect things like 9-11 to continue to happen,” said Griffith, whose 35-year Air Force career included piloting 280 combat missions and serving a five-year stint at the helm of Keesler Air Force Base. “Why wouldn’t it happen? That’s what happened over the years when we looked the other way, when we weren’t paying a lot of attention to terrorism.”

Griffith, speaking among 14,000 graves at the Biloxi National Cemetery, also said that the war should not be politicized, and citizens should remember that anti-war comments will be carried by newspapers in foreign lands. “Make sure to use our democratic system,” Griffith said, “but in doing that, make sure you support our troops. Once you do that, we will win this war.”

Mayor A.J. Holloway, who chose Griffith to speak at the city-sponsored ceremony, said the city was proud to sponsor the event, particularly as the country dedicates a World War II memorial in Washington and prepares to mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

To hear Griffith’s and Holloway’s comments and more from 20-plus-minute program, courtesy of www.getthepress.com, click here.