Some heroes in America are made from the tragedy of losing a loved one in combat or while serving this country. They make a difference in how we honor our fallen heroes. They are in the truest since of the word "American Heroes'......
Some Heroes are just ordinary everyday folks that see something wrong with the way we honor our military at their passing.
Families of our 'Fallen Heroes' and how they changed the system.......
John and Stacey Holley
Kojn and Stacey Holley
John and Stacey Holley
Their son, Specialist Matthew J. Holley, was killed by a roadside bomb in November, 2005
How they single handedly changed the system.....
When John and Stacey saw how their son was returned to them they were outraged. At the time, many of our fallen warriors were returned to their families in the cargo hold of commercial jets. No Honor guard, just dropped off in a warehouse. They single handedly changed the system to ensure that all of our fallen heroes are flown back home on private jets with an honor guard awaiting their arrival.
John and Stacey Holley have ensured that the loved ones of all future fallen heroes will be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Their son, Sergeant Eric McColley, was killed in a helicopter accident off the caost of Africa in February, 2006
How they turned the pain of losing their son into an incredible show of love for our fallen heroes.....
Wreaths on military graves
John and Nancy McColley started the tradition in North Carolina of placing wreaths at the grave sites of all military personnel . This tradition is spreading throughout the east coast. Christmas is one of the toughest times for families of loved ones killed while serving their country.
John and Nancy are also involved with assisting the families of other fallen heroes. They are also involved with sending care packages to military personnel stationed overseas.
How one man's outrage with the failure to play a live Taps at all military funerals changed a country.
In early 2000, Tom Day, discovered that many funerals of veterans were using recorded versions of 'Taps'. He felt, as many do, that any veteran being laid to rest deserves all the honors, including a live version of 'Taps', possible.
Tom Day single handedly took on the task of starting an organization called Bugles Across America . Tom Day searched America for volunteers from ages 15 to 90 that could play 'Taps' on the bugle. Today he has over 7,500 'Taps' volunteers. Bugles Across America has ensured that over 250,000 families of veterans were allowed to hear a live version of 'Taps' vice a recording.
