Have you ever wanted to honor a War Hero?  Now is your chance.

April 22, 2025

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.  Now he will be exhumed on the 21^st of May and buried at Fort Rosecrans on 1400 (2PM) on the 22^nd of May.  From the time he is exhumed to the time he is reburied, the San Diego Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will be leading the effort to provide a continuous Honor Guard for Specialist Holly.

We are looking for volunteers to take shifts starting at noon on the 21^st and continuing until about 1PM on the 22^nd  as we perform a Lying in Honor for SPC Holly.  Volunteers must be physically able to stand for ½ hour with a musket (at port arms) either in uniform or in business dress with any SAR Medals which the member has received.  Non SAR participants should wear a business suit, military or public service uniform.  The shifts are one-half hour per shift and multiple shifts may be stood by one person, though consecutive shifts are not encouraged. 

After the Lying in Honor, SPC 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.

We are asking that all chapter members start clearing their calendars so that they may both take a shift at the Lying in Honor of Specialist Holly and attend the internment ceremony.  Both Men and older boys (Over 16, accompanied by parent) are eligible to volunteer.

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 are willing to be part of the Honor Guard for one or more 30 minute shifts, please contact Duncan at kf6ila@hotmail.com

Details of the action that cost Matthew is life.

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