Photo By Spc. Jacob Judge | CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq -- A tribute at the Division Chapel on Camp Liberty May 24 placed...... read more read more
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq " In an address several years ago to students at his alma mater, the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Lt. Col. Daniel Holland, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and one of 10 children of a career Soldier, said he grew up knowing he would be in the Army and also that he would be a veterinarian.
Holland, who attended OSU on an ROTC scholarship, described his commissioning in the Army as a dream come true and told his fellow alumni that the Army "has given me a good life," and that he intended to remain both a Soldier and a veterinarian for the rest of his career.
"Where else could a person swim with dolphins, jump out of airplanes, and help people in far away countries take better care of their animals," he quipped.
His brothers-in-arms filed solemnly into the Chapel at Camp Liberty May 24 to remember Holland, who died along with three other Soldiers and a civilian interpreter May 18 when an improvised-explosive device detonated near their humvee in Baghdad.
The mission that ultimately took his life was one that he saw as being vital to the successful future of Iraq, said Lt. Col. William Woods, Holland's commander at the 414th Civil Affairs Battalion. "He died trying to help Iraqi farmers with their livestock.
"A witness described the obvious dangers (of leaving the forward operating base on missions)," said Woods. "I recall someone saying "you're a colonel, you don't have to go out there." But some people can't see a solution and walk away. Dan couldn't â?¦ he didn't walk away. He did what the courageous do."
Echoing Holland's own philosophy, Woods continued 'the military is a calling. For Dan and too many Soldiers, that calling has come at the highest price " in lives ended and hopes destroyed. Dan has given all there is to give."
Maj. Bonnie Martin, who went through the mobilization process with Holland at Fort Bragg, N.C., prior to coming to Iraq, commented "I have known him for years as a fellow veterinary corps officer, but during the past four months he has become a very good friend. Many of you only met him recently but I am sure he impressed you too as an outspoken, opinionated, loud kind of lieutenant colonel, with a heart of gold.
"He was asked to come on this mission by the Vet Com commander," recalled Martin. "He didn't say "no," but he was reluctant because of his children; he told me that his children were now at an age when they were fun to be around, at 10 and 13 " they weren't yet teenagers, so they still liked to hang around with mom and dad. He didn't want to miss any of this golden period during his children's lives.
"He loved to spent time doing things with his kids, Rachel and Garrett (or Bubba, his nickname)," she continued. "While at Fort Bragg he took a week off to go home to move his family from Fort Hood to the San Antonio area which was to be his next assignment. He spent this time teaching his children about hunting, about woods, about life and treasuring it " that's what he talked about when we picked him up at the airport."
"He inspired many people in this audience, in the Army and in his home life " he leaves behind friends around the world. I hope your memories of him inspire you to love your families, strengthen your faith, take care of each other and improve life for others, like he did," said Martin.
Fellow veterinary services corps officer Capt. Kristin Bloink, recalled that her "first interaction with Col. Holland was via e-mail; he told me to spend as much time (before the deployment) with my family as possible.
"That quick e-mail exchange began a very rewarding 4-month mentorship. (He) had a wealth of knowledge about how to be a veterinarian, an officer and just a good person. He didn't always approach things by the book, but his heart was always in the right place â?¦ he took great joy in teaching those around him and making those around him more comfortable."
She recalled "many hours in pre-mob training at Fort Bragg where he also ran "Colonel Holland's taxi service." It didn't matter if you were a PFC or an O-6, he had a space for you in his car.
"I teased him several times about also having many sisters; he seemed to have particularly excellent skills coping with the nuances of women. He found himself surrounded by four fellow vet officers at Fort Bragg, all female, and took his role as the sole male in stride."
In particular, Bloink said, Holland excelled at making sure "all of the little simple things" were always taken care of for everyone else. "He was very adept at being available to those around him and he asked for so little in return.
"I felt very blessed to have become a friend, colleague, and "mentee" of Col. Holland. His loss is huge; it is huge to society, the U.S. Army, the veterinary corps and, most importantly, his family," Bloink concluded.
Col. Vernon Harris, commander, 354th Civil Affairs Brigade, Fort Bragg, N.C., said 'the legacy that he leaves behind with his fellow Soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines will be with us forever. Dan exemplified our Army values; we all loved him, but God loved him best."
He then read a letter from Brig. Gen. Michael Cates, chief, U.S. Army Veterinary Corps, noting that "Daniel was a tremendous Soldier, leader, colleague and friend. Veterinary service personnel all play a critical role and our missions take many of us into very dangerous places."
"That did not sway Daniel from his duty and he has set an extraordinary example in Iraq, just as he has done everywhere he has been, for all of us to follow."
Letters were also read from several colleagues of Holland's in the Veterinary Corps.
Col. Bob Walters, Department of Defense Veterinary Services deputy director and a close personal friend of Holland's, wrote his letter to "Daniel my friend," recalling that "we started out as casual acquaintances â?¦ our friendship blossomed, our paths crossed again." Confirming that Holland was a "Soldier's Soldier," Walters talked about 'the mud on our backs from PMCSing (preventive maintenance check and service) our humvees."
He also remembered "you were the first in line to interject veterinary support to Joint Task Force Katrina and first in line to support civil affairs when the mission came; you set the standards for service to the nation and belief in the veterinary mission.
"At every turn my respect for you grew. You influenced countless Soldiers (and) your legacy lives on through (them). We part again for a while, but you will remain a pillar to whom I will turn when I need to remind myself of why we do what we do " service to the nation," said Walters, concluding "Rest easy my friend. I'll see you on the high ground."
Col. Gary Vroegindewey, Director, DOD Veterinary Service, recalled in his letter that he worked with Holland when both were assigned to the 72nd Medical Detachment in Germany.
"Daniel was a "dirt Soldier," more comfortable in the field than behind a desk â?¦ knew his way around the arms room â?¦ and would trade his Class B's for BDU's any day," said Vroegindewey.
"He focused on Soldiers and worked tirelessly to train those he knew would some day perform in the field. He was instrumental in developing field training exercises and real-world experiences. As an Army brat, he grew up in the military and understood and lived Army values."
"(He was the) first to volunteer. Daniel was a "go to" officer who took on all missions with energy and enthusiasm. Daniel lived those things he loved most " Soldiering and spending time with his family. He lived every moment to the fullest and enjoyed the ride."
Col. Cliff Walker, Commander, U.S Army Veterinary Command, spoke of Holland as "a dependable, thorough, selfless and caring Soldier. He was a model officer and patriot. Daniel was a pleasure to work with, whether participating in ordinary daily routines or the most demanding military tasks.
"Daniel was respected by the Soldiers he led and was the most engaged district commander in the Veterinary Corps. He led from the front and a head-on frontal attack was his preferred method of solving problems," said Walker.
Holland is survived by his wife, Sheryl, and their two children, Rachel and Garrett.
The three Soldiers who died in the vehicle with Holland were from the from 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y. Memorial ceremonies will be held later this week for 1st. Lt. Robert A. Seidel III, 23, of Gettysburg, Pa., Sgt. Lonnie C. Allen Jr., 26, of Bellevue, Neb., and Pfc. Nicholas R. Cournoyer, 25, of Gilmanton, N.H.
| Date Taken: | 05.30.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 05.30.2006 09:50 |
| Story ID: | 6562 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 286 |
| Downloads: | 26 |
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