Medals, Flags, and Memories
Author's Summary
On November 15, 2005, John and Stacey Holley unwillingly became Gold Star Parents. Their son and only child, Matthew John Holley, was killed along with three other Soldiers when an IED exploded under their Humvee while on patrol in Iraq. Racked with grief over their son’s death, John and Stacey’s sorrow turned to outrage when they learned that Matthew’s casket would return to San Diego’s Lindbergh Field as common freight. There would be no honor guard to welcome this fallen hero back to the nation of his birth. Instead, Matthew Holley’s remains would be transferred by forklifts and baggage handlers, like a crate of auto parts. Determined to welcome their son home with honors befitting his sacrifice, the Holleys 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 the country.
MWSA Review
This fast reading book describes intimately how one family unwillingly joins the ranks of other Gold Star parents when their only son is killed while serving in Iraq; from the dreaded moment of the first door bell, to the sudden confusing chaos of life with no predictable order. The parents’ emotions are channeled into outrage when they realize their beloved son will be returned home as common freight, amongst pallets of auto parts.
Perhaps when their son, Matthew, asked to be “part of something greater”, this was not what was expected- and certainly not wanted- by the family. But the fact that Holley’s parents had also been military
warriors set the possibilities in motion to notice a “wrong”, and to have the fortitude to instinctively correct this wrong in short order all during an extremely stressful time.
Because of this family’s belief in the dignity of each individual soldier, the newly enacted “Holley Provision” now provides that our fallen soldiers are returned home with a military escort, and
handled by his/her military brothers, with the family in attendance.
The most poignant moments for this reader were the comments from the airport passerby’s who saw the returning ceremony for Spec. Matthew Holley take place as they paused in the hurry to board their own flights. We, as a society, and as individuals, need to bear witness to the sacrifices of those who serve us. Public witness to individual heroism enriches all of our lives- gives recognition and honor to those to whom it is due, and gives added appreciation to the witness for the daily life we lead. Kudos to the Holley’s for
insisting on this change for our military heroes, and as a benefit for our society.
The stunning title aptly describes that this family has exchanged its future generations for (hard) “Medals, (casket draped) Flags, and (powerful) Memories.” And that each “Gold Star” family in the United States throughout many wars has also made the same exchange. A must read for every Gold Star family, and for everyone who tries to understand human interactions in life (all of us?) despite one’s political or religious views of the necessity of war.
Reviewed by: Nancy Rial (November 10, 2011)