MAF is Proud to Honor Hero
September 28, 2014 was Gold Star Mother’s Day, a day our nation proudly express’s our love, sorrow, and reverence towards Gold Star Mothers and their families. Move America Forward has had the honor to work directly with so many amazing Gold Star families over the years, we thought it would be a great time to share some of these courageous stories.
Today we bring you the story of Matthew J. Holley, a combat medic in the 101st Airborne whose parents John and Stacey Holley fought for all military families to make sure all of our fallen warriors return home with the honor and respect they deserve.
John Holley was one of the Gold Star Parents we were able to take with us to Iraq in 2006. A trip he credits with helping him honor his son and move forward in his life. We have had the pleasure of working with John and Stacey Holley ever since and are so grateful for all they have done for other military families. Please take the time to read the story below and learn about their son.
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.
When Matthew made the decision to become a soldier he was following in the footsteps of four generations of family members before him, including both John and Stacey. He was driven by a few valued lessons in life that he was raised on. The first to know and respect “that to whom much is given much is expected” and second that whenever the opportunity availed itself “to take his eyes off of himself and to put them on to others.”
Etched on SPC Matthew Holley’s gravestone are the following words, “To Serve a Cause Greater Then Myself”. Profound words spoken by a profound young man to his mother and father for his reason to join the United States Army and become a Medic. Matthew’s zest for life was to apply those valued lessons handed down to him and in doing so share a little of that freedom so many in our nation take for granted, or a little of that free spirit we all have.
Like so many who feel called to serve our nation, Matthew loved the Red, White and Blue. He loved the freedom it exudes and offers anyone who lives in the United States of America. As many in our generation, most will always remember that fateful Tuesday in 2001 when the towers fell. Matthew was just one week short of his 17th birthday, but as his mother reflects back, she believes that day was as much a catalyst for his decision to serve our nation as any. It was on that day that he saw the cause for freedom and all he had been raised to believe in challenged, and he expressed that “if there was one thing worse than dying, it was being alive and not being free.”
Even in the midst of their grief, John and Stacey knew that they were not the only parents who would face such a crisis. They were not the only American family destined to hear the ringing of a doorbell, or to learn the news of a loved one’s ultimate sacrifice from the lips of complete strangers.
Unbeknownst to them John and Stacey’s sorrow would quickly turn to horror when they discovered that Matthew’s casket would return to San Diego’s Lindbergh Field as common freight.
There would be no honor guard to welcome their fallen hero back to his hometown.
Instead, Matthew Holley’s remains would be carted around by forklifts and baggage handlers, like a crate of auto parts. Determined to welcome their son home with honors befitting his sacrifice to our nation, the Holley’s embarked on a quest to challenge the law, and to begin a journey of healing that would touch the lives of Gold Star families across our nation.
In 2011 the Holley’s released their co-authored book, Medals, Flags and Memories. In the book they share the story of their struggle in the weeks and months following Matthew’s death, as they fought to enact the law known today as “The Holley Provision” or as some have come to refer to them as “Angel Flights.” John and Stacey chose not to write simply a memoir of grief and loss.
Rather their desire was to share a journal of personal transformation, a guidebook for anyone who finds themselves struggling in the storm of their lives. It’s a journey of faith, love, and ultimate perseverance. But beyond all of these things, it’s an unmistakable demonstration of the American ideal in action.
Today each fallen heroes casket is met by honor guards in white gloves and crisp uniforms, instead of baggage handlers with forklifts. The legislation, was signed into law by President George W. Bush in October 2006, and enacted by the Pentagon in January 2007.
Faced with the entrenched bureaucracy of our government, the Holley’s proved that an ordinary family can tip the scales of American justice. And, in an age where many people feel alienated and powerless, the Holley’s have shown how ordinary citizens can impact the change in federal law, and transform the world we live in.
In a sense, one world ended for John and Stacey Holley in November 2005, when Matthew died to preserve the American dream. But another world opened up, as the Holley’s discovered the power of prayer, determination and belief in the values that our great country was founded on. John and Stacey have honored Matthew’s death by reminding us that his sacrifice and the sacrifice of all those who serve our great nation is not in vain or without the honor due. That the American dream is still very much alive and well, and it is within the grasp of each citizen who dares to reach out and claim it.
Copies of Medal’s Flags and Memories can be
purchased online through www.amazon.com
LLTB may be an acronym that people post on FB pages; it stands for Long Live the Brotherhood. Most Americans will never experience or be able to comprehend the depth of love and bond that exists with those brothers in arms.
My son Marc tried to explain that to me before he died. I could comprehend that you get really close to them as you train for combat and then deploy to the combat zone. He told me they were like brothers to him. I reminded him I didn’t birth them so they really couldn’t be brothers.
The week Marc died we had 5 of them in our home and I saw how much they loved Marc and that they were hurting just as much as we were. It was at that moment that the light went on and my eyes were opened to that unique bond and relationship that these young men shared and that they were Marc’s brothers. Since those were Marc’s brothers I knew I had adopted/inherited a bunch of new sons.
The ultimate proof of that bond, that love, was that the day Marc died he gave his life for them, giving the gift of life to his brothers.
I have been blessed for this past 8 years to develop a mutual love and relationship with “my boys,” some amazing men. The week Marc died they started calling me MommaLee, and it is a name I cherish
It’s been fun to watch them marry and attend the dress rehearsals and weddings, just like family, or to visit them for vacations, and attend change of command, promotion or retirement ceremonies. There have been many family dinners and gatherings on my trips to San Diego.
Next came the exciting phone calls and birth announcements. “Hey MommaLee we’re pregnant!” Invites to baby showers, phone calls moments after the little bundle arrives, and the first pictures sent via text. I feel a little like the fairy tale of the old woman in the shoe, she has so many children she didn’t know what to do? I have 9 biological grandchildren, and over 30 “adopted grandkids.”
This past week I was able to meet another one of the little girls God has blessed me with and hold her and play with her. Children are such a gift from the LORD.
On Sept 2nd I received another one of those texts letting me know that Leif, another one of “my boys” was in the hospital with his wife Jenna and that her water had broke and that “the big day had arrived.”
I was so excited, this was the first baby for Leif and Jenna, and they chose not to know the sex before the little bundle arrived. I received texts throughout the day keeping me posted of her progress. They had to induce and still the progress was slow. I continued to pray and anxiously waited for the next text or phone call. I chuckled at one of the texts that came close to the end of the day in true Navy SEAL fashion “Making some movement towards extract.”
Finally at 2:23 am ET I received this text.
Tears began to trickle down my cheek, what an honor that they would name their little boy after “my little boy,” who grew all too quickly to become a Navy SEAL who would give the gift of life to Leif and so many other teammates; a hero who would defend us and sacrifice everything for our freedoms in America.
After I put the phone back on my nightstand I put my head back on my pillow and tried to balance my mixed emotions. I was so excited for the new life, and honored that they named him after Marc, knowing that Marc’s sacrifice allowed Leif to become a Father. Again the tears flowed wishing Marc was here to share this moment and so many others of life.
I thought back to his wise words that ended his last letter home, to my family and friends, pass on the love, the kindness, the precious gift of human life.” This is exactly what Marc was talking about, and on Sept 3rd in the wee hours of the morning we were able to experience another precious gift of human life.
May we never take for granted the precious gifts we are given!
Congratulations to Jenna Lee and Leif Babin with your precious new gift of Brian Marc Babin. I am deeply touched by the love and support of the “Brotherhood.” LLTB!
Rally for Marine Andrew Tahmooressi Sends a Message to CA Governor Brown, President Obama and Mexican President Nieto
We just wanted to share a few pictures with you from the big rally we had on August 26, 2014 to support Andrew Tahmooressi! It was a great event with an estimated 150 – 200 attendees. We had reporters from all across Northern California and as far away as Los Angeles. With the signs, chants, and press coverage, we are sent a strong message to President Obama, Governor Brown, and Mexican President Nieto.
Great job everyone who showed up and thank you for taking time out of your day to stand up for Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi!
We are SCARING Up Some
FOR OUR TROOPS!
As the air begins to take on a bite of Fall and the leaves turn to gold and red here at home our thoughts turn to childhood fun like legions of little ghosts and goblins hitting the streets to Trick or Treat.
We wanted to bring a small bit of that celebration to our troops serving so far away. So starting in October, our packages will include yummy colorful candy corn, pumpkin spiced coffee, special orange cream filled Oreo cookies as a reminder to our troops that even though they can’t be here to celebrate with their own kids, and raid their Halloween candy stash, they can still get a little treat from the folks back home who haven’t forgotten their service.
Soldiers often see a nice bump in packages during the Christmas season, but that is still two months away and some of these brave men and women never see packages from home. Why don’t you take a moment to send a package now, and we will include the candy corn along with our regular goodies like gourmet Rogers Family coffee, beef jerky and soldier friendly field towels from Ohh Ahhs and many other treats and necessary items.
Thanks from
Force Guardians!
It’s October already! So Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. This is such a busy and fun filled time for many Americans here at home, but it’s also a special time to remember our troops serving in harm’s way that won’t have a chance to celebrate these special days with their friends and loved ones.
Move America Forward is happy to offers a special Holiday Trio promotion that gives you the chance to have a automatically send a package from you each month for October, November and December along with your special note of thanks to celebrate these special holidays.
Our Halloween and Thanksgiving packages will be packed with our regular treats but will also include special holiday treats like candy corn to add a touch from home and our Christmas package will have extra treats like soft peppermints, a fleecy red and white Christmas stocking and hot chocolate as well.
Just click here to contact Lisa Baron, our Director of our Troop Support, and she will get your information and set you up for this special 3 month promotion. It’s easy to set up and Lisa will take care of everything for you so you don’t have to worry about finding the time to order packages for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Did You Know…?
October 1, 1946 – The International War Crimes Tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany sentenced a dozen high-ranking Nazi war criminals to death including Hermann Goering, founder of the Gestapo and chief of the German air force
October 3, 1863 – President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation designating the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day.
October 8, 1918 – During World War I, U.S. Sergeant Alvin York single-handedly took out a German machine-gun battalion, killing over a dozen and capturing 132. He was later awarded the Medal of Honor and the French Croix de Guerre.
October 13, 1775 – The United States Navy was born after the Second Continental Congress authorized the acquisition of a fleet of ships.
October 17-25, 1944 – The Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle in history, took place off the Philippine Islands, during World War II in the Pacific. The battle involved 216 U.S. warships and 64 Japanese ships and resulted in the destruction of the Japanese Navy including the Japanese Battleship Musashi, one of the largest ever built.
October 23, 1983 – A truck loaded with explosives was driven into the U.S. and French headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon by terrorists, exploding it and killing 241 U.S. Marines and 58 French paratroopers.
October 24, 1945 – The United Nations was founded.
Calling all Troops!
Signing up to receive packages is easy!
If you are deployed or have the address of a deployed military member, you can click here for our Military Sign Up Center to sign them up to receive one of our great care packages loaded with plenty of the TLC our soldiers need to remind them that people back home support their mission.
If you prefer, copy this link and e-mail it to your soldier so they can sign up themselves. (http://www.moveamericaforward.org/soldier-sign-up/) Once the soldier has registered they’ll be eligible to receive packages and messages of support from caring Americans like you
Monthly Smiles Needs YOU!
Life can get tough, and sometimes for budget or other reasons even as simple as having your credit card expire we have experienced a drop off in our Monthly Smiles Program.
With Thanksgiving and Christmas still months away we at Move America Forward are seeing a spike in package requests from our soldiers. We are trying our very best to leave none of these troops empty handed. That is why we are asking for help in considering our Monthly Smiles program.
Monthly Smiles is a vital part of successfully supporting our troops during their deployments. Support has dropped off creating a hole in our Monthly Smiles Program which compromises our ability of fulfilling all the package requests we receive. We hate to say no to our troops or leave them empty handed, that’s where you come in.
If you would consider joining our monthly smiles program we would love to have you and we make it so easy to get a regularly scheduled 100% tax deductible Monthly Smiles Package out on your behalf, including a personal message from you. Just fill out the Monthly Smiles Form and we will contact you regarding payment method and budget.
If you have a question or would like additional information, contact Lisa Baron, our Monthly Smiles Director at LisaBaron@MoveAmericaForward.org.
Check Out Our Moving Tribute for September 11, 2001
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