Two Hampton Roads families who lost their patriarch have had their mortgages paid in full by a nonprofit that aims to support Gold Star families and the families of fallen first responders.
Anna Griffin lost her husband, Christopher, a firefighter who spent about 10 years with Norfolk Fire-Rescue, in October 2021 at age 50. He had endured a long battle with glioblastoma brain cancer caused by smoke exposure, according to the International Association of Fire Fighters’ line of duty death database.
Aimee Nelson lost her husband, Caleb, a Navy SEAL, in October 2011 at age 26 when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while on a combat patrol in Afghanistan.
Tunnels to Towers Foundation
Caleb and Anna Nelson with their two sons. (Courtesy of Tunnels to Towers Foundation)
Both men were fathers. Griffin left behind one son, while Nelson left behind two. The Griffin family lives in Suffolk, the Nelson family in Virginia Beach.
In addition to paying the mortgages to Gold Star families and those who have lost first responders in the line of duty, Tunnels to Towers Foundation’s work includes providing mortgage-free homes and building modified homes for veterans and first responders with debilitating injuries. The foundation began in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Tunnels to Towers paid the mortgages of 30 Gold Star and fallen first responder families from all over the country to commemorate Independence Day.
Aimee Griffin said in a news release that Tunnels to Towers had “lifted the biggest financial burden we had.”
“It’s allowed us to be able to try to enjoy more fun things together and not have to worry so much,” Griffin said.
Anna Nelson said her husband “loved God and his country” and that he “understood his profession to be a duty.”
“It is an incredible blessing to have the weight of a monthly house payment relieved from the incredible cost of raising two very active boys,” Nelson said.
Caleb Nelson, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, was assigned to the Naval Special Warfare unit in Norfolk after he completed SEAL training in 2006, according to the Associated Press, and had earned the rank petty officer 1st class. He was one of 12 siblings, and after being inspired to join the military by his grandfather, he went on to receive many awards, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
The Associated Press reported at the time of his death that one of Nelson’s superiors, Capt. Tim Szymanski, commander of Naval Special Warfare Group Two, called him “a cherished teammate, a gifted SEAL operator and a loving husband and father.”
Griffin, a firefighter with the IAFF 4th District Local 68 in Norfolk, began his career with the Chinchilla Hose Company of South Abington Township before moving to Hampton Roads in 2008. He was described as someone who loved helping people and giving back to the community.
Tunnels to Towers is funded by both its corporate partners and individual donors.
“All things we can enjoy because of our brave first responders and military members who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe,” Frank Siller, chairman and CEO of Tunnels to Towers, said in a news release.
Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, [email protected]
