MISSION — Navy Veteran Mark Joseph Griffin was laid to rest Wednesday morning surrounded by fellow veterans and members of the community.
A burial ceremony was held for the unaccompanied veteran at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery where veterans from multiple branches of the military gathered to say goodbye to their brother in arms.
Pallbearers carry the coffin of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Joseph Griffin during an unaccompanied veteran burial at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])The remains of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Joseph Griffin rests on a funeral stand during a ceremony at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Robert Alvarez, Mission Fire Department assistant chief, accepts the flag that was placed over the coffin of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Joseph Griffin during burial at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])The body of of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Joseph Griffin rests in a hearse before the start of a ceremony of an unaccompanied veteran burial at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])A flag is folded after is was removed from the coffin of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Joseph Griffin during a ceremony of an unaccompanied veteran burial of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Joseph Griffin at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Taps is played through a bugle honor held by honor guard member Frank Albiar during a ceremony for U.S. Navy veteran Mark Joseph Griffin in an unaccompanied veteran burial of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Joseph Griffin at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Attendees salute as the flag is taken off the coffin of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Joseph Griffin and folded during a ceremony in an unaccompanied veteran burial at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Attendees stand and listen during a ceremony in an unaccompanied veteran burial of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Joseph Griffin at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Attendees salute during a ceremony in an unaccompanied veteran burial of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Joseph Griffin at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Veteran Omar Gallegos speaks during a ceremony in an unaccompanied veteran burial of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Joseph Griffin at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Attendees plant U.S. flags before the start of a ceremony in an unaccompanied veteran burial of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Joseph Griffin at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Flowers rest on the coffin of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Joseph Griffin after a ceremony in an unaccompanied veteran burial at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])A military attendee statutes the coffin of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Joseph Griffin before departing after a ceremony in an unaccompanied veteran burial at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Honor guard member Eric Albarez salutes during a ceremony in an unaccompanied veteran burial of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Joseph Griffin at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Honor guard members wait for the arrival of the body of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Joseph Griffin in an unaccompanied veteran burial at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])U.S. Army veteran Antonio Vela pays his respects to U.S. Navy veteran Mark Joseph Griffin after a ceremony before departing in an unaccompanied veteran burial at the Rio Grande State Valley Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Leticia Francis places a bouquet of flowers on the coffin of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Joseph Griffin in an unaccompanied veteran burial at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Workers prepare the coffin of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Joseph Griffin to be placed in the ground in an unaccompanied veteran burial at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])
