Darren was one of our neighborhood kids. Of course, back then, (70s-80s), Kanab was the neighborhood. The kids would meet up early in the day, make plans for adventures, and spend the day turning their adventures into memories.
Darren decided, as a Junior at KHS, he wanted to be, “part of something bigger than myself.” So, he signed up for the National Guard. “I could spend my weekends with the guard and go to school during the week. Overtime I grew to like the camaraderie and being part of the team,” the day after he graduated, he was off to Fort Sills, Okla.
He spent nine years in the National Guard, took a break reupping in 2000. After 9/11 Darren was assigned to airport security for nine months. In 2003 he was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, then on to Fort Lewis, Wash. In 2005 he trained for deployment at Camp Shelby, Miss. and Fort Irwin, Calif. Then 12 months in Habbaniya and Ar Ramadi, Iraq, “Where we saw action every day.” In 2008 as a full timer, he worked in St. George, in 2018 he transferred to Army Reserve as Reserve Administrator.
Giff, as he is known to friends and patrons, served for 31 years, 16 of which were full-time. When Covid attacked he was given the option to get vaccinated or, be demoted, “taking me out of my leadership position in Civil Service,” with a reduction in pay and a black mark which would show on his record. In 2022 Darren chose to leave the military and his retirement behind, four years short of his retirement commitment.
In a quandary as what to do next, he and wife Carla saw there was an opportunity to purchase a food truck in Kanab. They took the leap and introduced Kanab to Giff’s Bar-B-Que. Giff’s BBQ truck could be seen around town for the next two years. It was about that time the Chuck Wagon Cook Outs space became available, Giff’s moved into the brick-and-mortar location at Little Hollywood, behind Gifts of the West.
Darren has a special place in his heart for those who serve. He has a dedicated wall to service members. Inviting families, or service members to bring in a 5”x7” photo of their service member with name, dates and branch of service. He acknowledges most service personnel won’t bring in their photos or ask for a military discount, “But we know their families are proud of their service. We would like you to bring in their photo, we will give you a 15 percent for the day,” He also offers an open-ended 15 percent discount to those who show their military ID. It’s Giff’s way of saying, “Thank you for your service.” He takes his gratitude a step farther by offering any first responder in uniform that same 15 percent discount.
