Medals Flags and Memories John Holley Stacey Holley 9780983416821 Books
Download As PDF : Medals Flags and Memories John Holley Stacey Holley 9780983416821 Books
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
Medals Flags and Memories John Holley Stacey Holley 9780983416821 Books
Medals, Flags and Memories is a book written straight from the hearts of Gold Star parents - John and Stacey Holley. They relate a glimpse of the heart wrenching story of the life and death of their only child Matthew John Holley who was killed by an IED while on patrol in Iraq on November 5, 2005; no doubt these precious people cherish many more memories of their son that are not recorded in their book. We are told that the title was chosen by John Holley as a similar flowing title to John Denver's song "Prayers, Poems and Promises." From the beginning when John heard the doorbell and saw the uniformed men awaiting him to bear the news, "We regret to inform you," I was drawn into the intensity and read this book in three short sittings. As John Tolley told those who brought him the horrific news, "You've just killed me. You know you've just killed me." I wondered what I would have done if that had been my news. I am not certain I would have had the strength and courage that the Holleys manifested. Their story is an amazing one of grace, faith, endurance and love for each other, their son and their country.This book is much more than the heart wrenching story of a mother and father dealing with the loss of their only child. The book is not the story of only one hero. As others have written in their reviews, it is a story of three heroes - Matthew, Stacey and John Holley. After that tragic and horrific announcement in November 2005, the Holleys could have been content to resign themselves to bitterness and non-forgiveness for the rest of their days. When the Tolleys learned that their only son would be brought back to his country in the cargo area of a commercial jet, they were horrified, enraged and propelled to action. Their courage and determination that this not continue to be the accepted means of homecoming for America's best resulted in the "Holley Provision," a law that was passed in 2006 to ensure that America's fallen heroes are given the proper respect and honor due their sacrifice.
For their ultimate help, the Holleys turned to God. Of course there were questions but in the end they did not waver in their faith and in their belief in the healing power of God. As Stacey wrote, "So we keep stepping forward, keep carrying Matthew's flag, even when we can only manage a few inches at a time. And through it all, we've learned to put smiles on our faces." John noted that "It's fair to say that it's not an easy road that Stacey and I now travel, but it's because of our faith in God that we have the strength to make the journey." Even in his darkest hour, he noted: "I could never bring myself to be mad at God." There are many more inspirational examples of the Holley's faith throughout this book. Stacey's poetry and the tributes of Matthew's friends will bring insight to the reader of the character and integrity of Matthew and his parents.
In November 2006 John traveled to Iraq with other Gold Star parents. His documentation of the trip provided a glimpse into how the Iraqis appreciated and honored the service of the fallen and the sacrifice of the Gold Star parents. He noted that they are a "grateful people." As a skilled and gifted artist and gifted athlete (having been a three-time U.S. National champion in Karate) with the support of loving parents, Matthew could have pursued any professional path. However he chose to be a Soldier and not just a soldier but an Army Combat Medic. As John tells the reader this job was "a job that called for him to face the perils of combat - not to fight but to heal." He wanted "to bring comfort and healing in the midst of war." I highly recommend this book for anyone who has a family member, friend or loved one in the military and especially for those who have a fallen hero who still lives in your heart. I also highly recommend it to those facing the perils of needing to bring healing and forgiveness to their lives. In September 2012 the Holleys were awarded the "Founder's Award" for this book by the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA). It was a well-deserved award. Is there a way to give this book more than five stars?
Product details
|
Tags : Medals, Flags and Memories [John Holley, Stacey Holley] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. On November 15, 2005, John and Stacey Holley unwillingly became Gold Star Parents. Their son and only child,John Holley, Stacey Holley,Medals, Flags and Memories,Navigator Books,0983416826,Biography & Autobiography Personal Memoirs,Biography Autobiography,Memoirs,Personal Memoirs
People also read other books :
- Why Johnny Can't Read Write or Do 'Rithmetic Even With a College Degree eBook Professor Doom
- That A Wrap eBook Bettye Griffin
- Subjective Reality Are You In or Out? Dr Dara Fogel PhD 9780985926175 Books
- The Love Surprise A BWWM Billionaire Romance Contracted Ever After Book 3 edition by Izabella Brooks Literature Fiction eBooks
- Hawk Marie Powell 9781927400937 Books
Medals Flags and Memories John Holley Stacey Holley 9780983416821 Books Reviews
This book astounded me on numerous levels. When John and Stacey Holley became GOLD STAR PARENTS after thier son died fighting America's War on Terror, they did not wallow in their grief. They stepped up to make certain that grieving military families have a choice about the way their children's remains are returned and treated by our county. Thanks to the HOLLEY PROVISION--that has been accomplished--and has become law.
Writing from alternating points of view, MATTHEW HOLLEY's parents share their story of their profound loss. I don't think I have heard a doorbell ring once since I read this book last year, without thinking of John Holley's words, his heart-breaking experience....and his and Stacey's loss.
"Medals, Flags & Memories," lingers far beyond the final page. To me, that is the ultimate statement about every book's worth.
How I wish I had known Matthew Holley. His DNA is on my freedom...and I am eternally grateful.
"Medals, Flags and Memories" is the heart-wrenching, yet inspiring, story of parents who lost their only child to an IED explosion in Iraq. Gold Star Parents John and Stacey Holley alternate as each describes their agony and pain upon losing their 19-year-old son, U.S. Army Specialist Matthew John Holley.
Despite their almost incapacitating emotional pain, the Holleys have channeled their grief into honoring all of our fallen heroes by successfully campaigning to pass the landmark "Holley Provision," signed into law in 2006 by President Bush. This legislation ensures the respectful return of the remains of military personnel who die in the line of duty.
John and Stacey have continued honoring those who serve by reaching out to other parents who have lost a child, establishing scholarships, visiting wounded warriors, and speaking across the country to remind us that freedom isn't free. They live their lives guided by their strong faith and one of John's favorite quotes "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity." (Horace Mann)
I highly recommend this intimate telling of two parents' journey from despair to action and service.
It took me a long time to get up the courage to read this book, as I knew what it was about long before I read it. This is the saddest book you'll ever read, but I would urge anybody to read it anyway. This book is very well written, as the authors, John and Stacey Holley, walk you through the emotionally harrowing memories of losing their son, their only child. You'll feel like you know John and Stacey as you read of how they met as fellow soldiers, fell in love, and married. You'll read of their pride in their son, Matthew, who would make any family proud. The book also tells about how the Holleys made sure their son would be welcomed home as any war hero should be, with full military honors, rather than as cargo as was first authorized. Matthew died doing what he wanted to do, that is, serve his country and serve others less fortunate than himself. He died for what he and his parents (and I myself) believe to be a worthy cause. This book did more than just warm my heart at the family's love for their son, it also put back in my heart some faith in my country as the author explains why we were in Iraq. Thanks to John and Stacey Holley for writing this book.
Medals, Flags and Memories is a book written straight from the hearts of Gold Star parents - John and Stacey Holley. They relate a glimpse of the heart wrenching story of the life and death of their only child Matthew John Holley who was killed by an IED while on patrol in Iraq on November 5, 2005; no doubt these precious people cherish many more memories of their son that are not recorded in their book. We are told that the title was chosen by John Holley as a similar flowing title to John Denver's song "Prayers, Poems and Promises." From the beginning when John heard the doorbell and saw the uniformed men awaiting him to bear the news, "We regret to inform you," I was drawn into the intensity and read this book in three short sittings. As John Tolley told those who brought him the horrific news, "You've just killed me. You know you've just killed me." I wondered what I would have done if that had been my news. I am not certain I would have had the strength and courage that the Holleys manifested. Their story is an amazing one of grace, faith, endurance and love for each other, their son and their country.
This book is much more than the heart wrenching story of a mother and father dealing with the loss of their only child. The book is not the story of only one hero. As others have written in their reviews, it is a story of three heroes - Matthew, Stacey and John Holley. After that tragic and horrific announcement in November 2005, the Holleys could have been content to resign themselves to bitterness and non-forgiveness for the rest of their days. When the Tolleys learned that their only son would be brought back to his country in the cargo area of a commercial jet, they were horrified, enraged and propelled to action. Their courage and determination that this not continue to be the accepted means of homecoming for America's best resulted in the "Holley Provision," a law that was passed in 2006 to ensure that America's fallen heroes are given the proper respect and honor due their sacrifice.
For their ultimate help, the Holleys turned to God. Of course there were questions but in the end they did not waver in their faith and in their belief in the healing power of God. As Stacey wrote, "So we keep stepping forward, keep carrying Matthew's flag, even when we can only manage a few inches at a time. And through it all, we've learned to put smiles on our faces." John noted that "It's fair to say that it's not an easy road that Stacey and I now travel, but it's because of our faith in God that we have the strength to make the journey." Even in his darkest hour, he noted "I could never bring myself to be mad at God." There are many more inspirational examples of the Holley's faith throughout this book. Stacey's poetry and the tributes of Matthew's friends will bring insight to the reader of the character and integrity of Matthew and his parents.
In November 2006 John traveled to Iraq with other Gold Star parents. His documentation of the trip provided a glimpse into how the Iraqis appreciated and honored the service of the fallen and the sacrifice of the Gold Star parents. He noted that they are a "grateful people." As a skilled and gifted artist and gifted athlete (having been a three-time U.S. National champion in Karate) with the support of loving parents, Matthew could have pursued any professional path. However he chose to be a Soldier and not just a soldier but an Army Combat Medic. As John tells the reader this job was "a job that called for him to face the perils of combat - not to fight but to heal." He wanted "to bring comfort and healing in the midst of war." I highly recommend this book for anyone who has a family member, friend or loved one in the military and especially for those who have a fallen hero who still lives in your heart. I also highly recommend it to those facing the perils of needing to bring healing and forgiveness to their lives. In September 2012 the Holleys were awarded the "Founder's Award" for this book by the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA). It was a well-deserved award. Is there a way to give this book more than five stars?
0 Response to "[SW5]≡ Download Gratis Medals Flags and Memories John Holley Stacey Holley 9780983416821 Books"
Post a Comment