“On a cool autumn afternoon in November 2005 the world seemingly ended for John and Stacey Holley. With the ringing of the doorbell and the appearance of uniformed military strangers on the porch of their North Idaho home, their quiet lives were shattered by the news that their son and only child SPC. Matthew J. Holley had been killed along with three other soldiers by a roadside bomb while on patrol in Taji, Iraq. He was a Combat Medic with the 101st Airborne Division out of Ft. Campbell, Kentucky.” (From moveamericaforward.org)
After the unspeakable, heart-wrenching moment all parents of military personnel fear, the family heard even more bad news. Their son was to be transported back to the United States as cargo.
Cargo.
What the Holleys did next would impact thousands of families in the years to come, ensuring our fallen would be treated with respect and dignity when they came home. Through their efforts, legislation was passed that guaranteed a proper return for servicemen and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice. An excellent article about the Holley’s mission can be read by clicking here.
