VIRGINIA BEACH -- A Marine reservist from Virginia Beach was killed in action in Afghanistan on Wednesday.
Major Samuel Griffith died a firefight.
According to the Virginian-Pilot, Griffith moved to Florida with his unit a while ago, but he still has a Virginia Beach address.
"Sam was always a special child and I know every mother says that, But he really was," said Kathi Bischoff, who lives in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Bischoff says her son wanted to be a fighter pilot and he joined the military 15 years ago. Griffith, 36, served two tours in Iraq and had been in Afghanistan for a month.
He leaves behind a wife and two sons, one of whom turns six today.
The family says his 7-year-old son wrote Griffith a letter asking him not to go on this tour, saying he'd be furious if he was killed in action.
