Family Upset Over Soldier's Body Arriving As Freight
What your Brownwood Talking Heads are not talking about !
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Bodies Sent To Families On Commercial Airliners
POSTED: 4:46 pm PST December 9, 2005
UPDATED: 10:19 am PST December 12, 2005
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SAN DIEGO -- There's controversy over how the military is transporting the bodies of service members killed overseas, 10News reported.
A local family said fallen soldiers and Marines deserve better and that one would think our war heroes are being transported with dignity, care and respect. It said one would think upon arrival in their hometowns they are greeted with honor. But unfortunately, the family said that is just not the case.
Dead heroes are supposed to come home with their coffins draped with the American flag -- greeted by a color guard.
But in reality, many are arriving as freight on commercial airliners -- stuffed in the belly of a plane with suitcases and other cargo.
John Holley and his wife, Stacey, were stunned when they found out the body of their only child, Matthew John Holley, who died in Iraq last month, would be arriving at Lindbergh Field as freight.
Matthew was a medic with the 101st Airborne unit and died on Nov. 15.
"When someone dies in combat, they need to give them due respect they deserve for (the) sacrifice they made," said John Holley.
John and Stacey Holley, who were both in the Army, made some calls, and with the help of U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, Matthew was greeted with honor and respect.
"Our familiarity with military protocol and things of that sort allowed us to kind of put our foot down -- we're not sure other parents have that same knowledge," said Stacey Holley.
The Holleys now want to make sure every fallen hero gets the proper welcome.
The bodies of dead service members arrive at Dover Air Force Base.
From that point, they are sent to their families on commercial airliners.
Reporters from 10News called the Defense Department for an explanation. A representative said she did not know why this is happening.
source:http://www.10news.com/news/5504608/detail.html
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Family, Friends Mourn Local Soldier
Holley Killed In Iraq
POSTED: 2:50 pm PST December 2, 2005
UPDATED: 4:00 pm PST December 2, 2005
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SAN DIEGO -- Family and friends of a soldier from Chula Vista gathered Friday and paid tribute to the man during a memorial, 10News reported.
Matthew John Holley was killed Nov. 15 when his military vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Iraq.
The 21-year-old was born in Idaho, but grew up in Chula Vista. Holley enlisted into the Army following the footsteps of his parents.
He was remembered as an incredibly bright, talented and patriotic man. Holley was a three-time AAU national champion in karate and a medic with the 101st Airborne with a knack for art.
"(He had an) extremely artistic talent. No one will ever be able to know the extent of to which that talent could've gone. We're very proud of him," said Stacey Holley, Matthew Holley's mother.
"It made me very proud that he actually wanted to be like his dad," said John Holley, Matthew Holley's father.
Both his parents are veterans of the 101st Airborne.
Friday morning, his parents said goodbye to their only child.
Matthew Holley received full military honors, including three medals for his service.
Holley was known as "Doc" his fellow soldiers and was engaged to be married.
Days before he died, he asked his family to send him crayons so he could teach the Iraqi children how to draw.
source: http://www.10news.com/news/5454689/detail.html
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