thedrifter
03-19-06, 08:52 AM
Article published Mar 19, 2006
Marine's war action 'made Jackson proud'
Family, friends honor World War II hero at VFW memorial service
By TYRONE TONY REED JR.
ttreed@jacksonsun.com
Jeannie Sweat remembers her father, the late John Wisdom "Jack" Holland, as a humble, churchgoing man, not a decorated World War II hero who was wounded on Guadalcanal.
"He just didn't talk about it," Sweat said Saturday. "That's why it's hard for me to see daddy as a war hero in the Peleliu Islands."
But that's how Holland was remembered Saturday by family, friends and admirers who gathered at a memorial dedication ceremony at the VFW Post 1848, on Highway 45 North.
At the ceremony, area Marines led by the Marine Corps League Detachment of Jackson and supported by the Singleton Marine Corps League Detachment of Memphis conducted a Fallen Marine ceremony.
They also read from a resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly in Holland's honor.
The event was part of a push by area Marines to rename the Jackson Marine Corps League as The Jack Holland Detachment Marine Corps League, according to Holland's lifelong friend, Otto Melsa, a retired Marine colonel.
"It will be up to national MCL to approve the name change and make it legal," Melsa said in a telephone interview Saturday. "While we were serving overseas, he was just an average guy you could sit and talk with. He never let rank get in the way.''
Veteran entertainer Doris "Cousin Tuny" Freeman, who served as mistress of ceremonies at Saturday's event, said that Holland was very deserving of being recognized not only as a hometown hero, but an American hero.
"He was so modest," Freeman said. "He didn't let the spotlight blind him. He did what he did for the love of his country. Underneath it all, he was a hero. He made Jackson proud, he made his family and friends proud and he made God proud."
Holland was born and raised in Jackson, graduating as valedictorian from Jackson High School in 1936. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa at Davidson College in Davidson, N.C., where he graduated in 1940.
In 1941, Holland joined the Marines and served until December 1945.
While serving with the First Marine Division on Guadalcanal in 1942, he was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. The famous U.S. Navy Admiral W. F. "Bull" Halsey presented Holland with the Silver Star. After he recovered from his wounds, he also was promoted to captain.
Holland was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the Marine assault, landing and capture of Peleliu Island in the Pilaus in 1945.
After the war, Holland came home to Jackson and joined his family's retail store, Holland's. In 1967, Holland opened Bandbox in the Old Hickory Mall, successfully operating the store with his wife, Harriet, until he retired in 1980. Holland served in the Marine Corps Reserves, ultimately obtaining the rank of colonel.
Throughout his life, Holland was very active in his church, serving as the Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church on Highland.
Although Jerry Cullen, of Jackson, is now the teacher, the class is still called "The Jack Holland Class.
"He was a fine Christian man," Cullen said. "We're trying to continue to live by the ideals he believed in and stood for."
Outside of church, Holland held various positions in community organizations and received numerous awards.
He died in 1991, at the age of 71 and is buried in Hollywood Cemetery.
Sweat, who lives in Germantown, said that she was happy that her father finally received the recognition he deserved.
"It's been a long time coming, but he deserved it," Sweat said. "He would have been humbled, almost embarrassed, but he deserved it. Even though my mother, sister and brother couldn't be here, we are all very grateful. I'm sure my dad is looking down on this and thinking, 'This is awesome."
Visit jacksonsun.com and share your thoughts.
-Tyrone Tony Reed Jr.,
425-9758
Ellie
Marine's war action 'made Jackson proud'
Family, friends honor World War II hero at VFW memorial service
By TYRONE TONY REED JR.
ttreed@jacksonsun.com
Jeannie Sweat remembers her father, the late John Wisdom "Jack" Holland, as a humble, churchgoing man, not a decorated World War II hero who was wounded on Guadalcanal.
"He just didn't talk about it," Sweat said Saturday. "That's why it's hard for me to see daddy as a war hero in the Peleliu Islands."
But that's how Holland was remembered Saturday by family, friends and admirers who gathered at a memorial dedication ceremony at the VFW Post 1848, on Highway 45 North.
At the ceremony, area Marines led by the Marine Corps League Detachment of Jackson and supported by the Singleton Marine Corps League Detachment of Memphis conducted a Fallen Marine ceremony.
They also read from a resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly in Holland's honor.
The event was part of a push by area Marines to rename the Jackson Marine Corps League as The Jack Holland Detachment Marine Corps League, according to Holland's lifelong friend, Otto Melsa, a retired Marine colonel.
"It will be up to national MCL to approve the name change and make it legal," Melsa said in a telephone interview Saturday. "While we were serving overseas, he was just an average guy you could sit and talk with. He never let rank get in the way.''
Veteran entertainer Doris "Cousin Tuny" Freeman, who served as mistress of ceremonies at Saturday's event, said that Holland was very deserving of being recognized not only as a hometown hero, but an American hero.
"He was so modest," Freeman said. "He didn't let the spotlight blind him. He did what he did for the love of his country. Underneath it all, he was a hero. He made Jackson proud, he made his family and friends proud and he made God proud."
Holland was born and raised in Jackson, graduating as valedictorian from Jackson High School in 1936. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa at Davidson College in Davidson, N.C., where he graduated in 1940.
In 1941, Holland joined the Marines and served until December 1945.
While serving with the First Marine Division on Guadalcanal in 1942, he was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. The famous U.S. Navy Admiral W. F. "Bull" Halsey presented Holland with the Silver Star. After he recovered from his wounds, he also was promoted to captain.
Holland was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the Marine assault, landing and capture of Peleliu Island in the Pilaus in 1945.
After the war, Holland came home to Jackson and joined his family's retail store, Holland's. In 1967, Holland opened Bandbox in the Old Hickory Mall, successfully operating the store with his wife, Harriet, until he retired in 1980. Holland served in the Marine Corps Reserves, ultimately obtaining the rank of colonel.
Throughout his life, Holland was very active in his church, serving as the Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church on Highland.
Although Jerry Cullen, of Jackson, is now the teacher, the class is still called "The Jack Holland Class.
"He was a fine Christian man," Cullen said. "We're trying to continue to live by the ideals he believed in and stood for."
Outside of church, Holland held various positions in community organizations and received numerous awards.
He died in 1991, at the age of 71 and is buried in Hollywood Cemetery.
Sweat, who lives in Germantown, said that she was happy that her father finally received the recognition he deserved.
"It's been a long time coming, but he deserved it," Sweat said. "He would have been humbled, almost embarrassed, but he deserved it. Even though my mother, sister and brother couldn't be here, we are all very grateful. I'm sure my dad is looking down on this and thinking, 'This is awesome."
Visit jacksonsun.com and share your thoughts.
-Tyrone Tony Reed Jr.,
425-9758
Ellie