Medals, Flags and Memories

by John Holley, Stacey Holley

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.*Winner of Military Writers Society of America's prestigious Founder's Award

180 pages, Paperback

First published June 14, 2011

Reviews

[Jeff Wombold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to praise the Holley's for coming forth and telling their side of the story. I have felt grief in my life, but not the type that they must've felt . My mother must've felt some of the same anguish when I first joined the Navy during Vietnam. I was appalled to learn that our fallen heroes were only treated as common freight. I spent 10 years in the Navy in a dangerous job and I would hate to think that I was just placed amongst the rest of the freight. I know how it was after Vietnam; how we were just baby killers and didn't get any respect. I thank God for the Holley provision and other things being done nowadays to honor our soldiers. Thank you John and Stacey

[Rick Decorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book that opened my eyes to a few things. A must read for veterans, parents of military personnel, and anyone who knows someone who is serving our great country. This book touched home for me for several reasons. First, John went to the same high school as me, although a few years after I. Secondly, John and his wife are veterans, just like me. And thirdly, we both had a child in the Army. So, I recommended this book very much.

[Patricia Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I enjoyed this book. my son was an Army Medic and served a year over there. I'm not the writer, I'm not good at writing reviews but all I know and can say is that this was a really good book