Army Specialist Matthew J Holly was killed in action by a roadside bomb on November 15^th 2005.  When his remains were returned to San Diego, his coffin was unloaded from a commercial aircraft without any honors, and was unloaded with a fork lift by the airport ground crew.  His treatment was seen as a great dishonor and prompted a change by Congress that this would never happen again.

SPC Holly was buried at Glen Abbey Memorial Park in Bonita because there was no room for him at either Fort Rosecrans or Miramar National Cemetery.  The schedule has changed as of the 13th,  he will exhumed and placed in a van for transport on Thursday (22nd) and then transported to Miramar.  Our Color Guard will muster at Glen Abby at 10am and be part of the transporting of Spc Holly to Miramar. Check back often as the plans are in flux.  From the time he is exhumed to the time he is transported to Miramar, the San Diego Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will provide an Honor Guard for Specialist Holly.

ASPC Holly will be transported to Miramar National Cemetery with Military and Police escorts, with the Patriot Guards (Motorcycles) also providing escort.  All Chapter members are invited to attend the internment ceremony.

Now is the time that we can honor SPC Matthew J. Holly, U.S.A. for his sacrifice to our nation.

“To serve a cause greater than myself” was Matthew’s motto. The son and only child of John and Stacey Holley was a charismatic young man, gifted both athletically and artistically. By the age of 18 he was a three time U.S. national champion in Karate. He felt a conviction to do his part in serving our nation, and chose to become a Medic to help others. On November 15, 2005 while on patrol in Taji, Iraq Matthew along with three others were killed in action when the Humvee they were traveling in hit an IED. The price of freedom is never free, always and forever remembered!”

Duncan Campbell is leading the effort for the Honor Guard.  If you have any additional questions please contact Duncan at kf6ila@hotmail.com

Details of the action that cost Matthew is life.