Giffird's Hope
  • Home
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  • Hard Work
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  • Treasure Hunting
  • Coffee Mugs and Tea
  • Planning for Success
  • Stockyard Memories
  • Join the Military, Kid
  • The Billboard
  • The Marine Corps
  • You're In Hawaii
  • Angel Investor
  • Duty-Free Shopping
  • Hawaii's Tourism
  • Liberty House
  • Great America
  • Giffird's Dream
  • The Heritage Trail
  • The Message Light
  • Everything was Gone
  • The Park Bench
  • Guardian Security
  • J.C. Penney
  • Why Are You Homeless?
  • The Unicorn
  • Helping Those in Need
  • Hope Street
  • Apartment No. 1
  • Restoring Hope
  • Knock on the Door
  • Welcome Home
  • You're An Eagle
  • The Highway Patrol
  • The Letter
  • Home
  • In Search of Hope
  • The Spirit of Giving
  • The Unknown
  • Hard Work
  • Another Man's Treasure
  • Treasure Hunting
  • Coffee Mugs and Tea
  • Planning for Success
  • Stockyard Memories
  • Join the Military, Kid
  • The Billboard
  • The Marine Corps
  • You're In Hawaii
  • Angel Investor
  • Duty-Free Shopping
  • Hawaii's Tourism
  • Liberty House
  • Great America
  • Giffird's Dream
  • The Heritage Trail
  • The Message Light
  • Everything was Gone
  • The Park Bench
  • Guardian Security
  • J.C. Penney
  • Why Are You Homeless?
  • The Unicorn
  • Helping Those in Need
  • Hope Street
  • Apartment No. 1
  • Restoring Hope
  • Knock on the Door
  • Welcome Home
  • You're An Eagle
  • The Highway Patrol
  • The Letter
Giffird's Hope
The Marine Corps

When the day finally came for Giffird to go to Parris Island, South Carolina for boot camp, he was surprised at how many family members and friends from the Stockyards showed up at the Greyhound Bus Terminal to say goodbye.
Basic training was difficult and seemed like it was going to take forever, but Giffird finally graduated and headed to Camp Pendleton for Marine Combat Training. His favorite part of Oceanside, California was working part time in the evenings at the Flying Bridge Motor Inn and Restaurant for Mrs. Satin, the owner and general manager.

Eventually, Giffird received orders to report to Camp Courtney in Okinawa, Japan, where he would be stationed with the Third Marine Amphibious Force. From the very moment he and his fellow Marines arrived on the Island of Okinawa, training was tiring and intense. It began every morning at sunrise and lasted until sunset for three long weeks.

Finally, they were told they could have the next day off. Giffird crawled into his bunk at 11:00 pm and within minutes fell asleep.  At 3:00 am, he was awakened from a deep sleep and ordered to get his men ready to board a ship headed for the South Pacific. Marines throughout Okinawa were scrambling in full battle gear to board the ships waiting for them in Buckner Bay. After traveling for weeks at sea, the unexpected happened.
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