Four-star Gen. Ronald Griffith was the featured speaker Wednesday morning for a Veterans Day program at LaFayette High School.

“May God bless our veterans and may He continue to keep His blessings on the United States of America,” Griffith, a north Georgia native, told the crowd.

He also asked them to remember the soldiers and civilians killed in the Fort Hood, Texas.

Guest speakers also included LaFayette mayor Neal Florence and Walker County commissioner Bebe Heiskell.

Florence said the country is better and more secure because of veterans’ sacrifice. He thanked the veterans’ families, which have had to endure the anxiousness of wanting their loved ones to return home.

Heiskell said it is with great pride that she salutes the veterans of Walker County and the nation. She gave a brief account of the history of Veterans Day and recalled her family members who have fought in wars.

General’s background

Griffith served as vice chief of staff of the U.S. Army from 1995-97.

He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army after graduating in 1960 from the University of Georgia with a bachelor of science degree.

Griffith, a Vietnam War veteran, served as an infantry unit advisor with the Army of the Republic of Vietnam from 1964-65 and later as executive o0fficer of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, from 1969-70.

Griffith's commands include 1st Battalion, 32nd Armor in Germany, 1st Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and 1st Armored Division, in which he led in the Gulf War.

Griffith’s staff positions at the Department of the Army level include executive officer to the deputy chief of staff of the Army for Operations and Plans, chief of the War Plans Division, deputy director of Operations, and the army inspector general.

Griffith also served as the chief of staff, and later as the assistant division commander of the 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas.

He retired from the Army on Nov. 1, 1997.

Griffith's decorations and awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star with “V” device and five oak leaf clusters, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, and Army Staff Identification Badge.

He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Shippensburg University. His military education includes the Armor Officer Advanced Course, the Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.

Following his retirement from the military, Griffith became executive vice president of Military Professional Resources and executive vice president of the L-3 Communications Government Services Group.

Griffith also sits on the board of directors of The Allied Defense Group and Geonex-Martel Inc. and on the board of visitors of the Virginia Military Institute. Griffith's wife, Hurdis M. Griffith, is dean emeritus of the College of Nursing at Rutgers University. They have two adult daughters and five grandchildren.