❤★☆★❤ World War II POW ❤★☆★❤
Beloved Cousin
Grady told me that this was his favorite quote for he felt the same sentiments: "In prison, I fell in love with my country. I had loved her before then, but like most young people, my affection was little more than a simple appreciation for the comforts and privileges most Americans enjoyed and took for granted. It wasn't until I had lost America for a time that I realized how much I loved her." ~ John McCain, 'Faith of My Fathers: A Family Memoir'
Thomas Grady Holland, 86, went to be with his Heavenly Father January 18, 2007 while a resident at the G V (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center Nursing Home Care Unit.
Services were January 22 at Lakewood Funeral Home in Jackson with burial in Lakewood Memorial Park.
Grady was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His church, family and friends were very dear to him. He had a wonderful gift for gab and never met a stranger.
He believed in truth, honesty and integrity, and he lived by the Golden Rule. There was nothing he couldn't build or repair. He was Mr Fix It. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word to all.
He was born April 18, 1920 to the late Henry Grady and Eddie Mae Savage Holland in Earle, Arkansas. He attended school in Tallahatchie County.
As a World War II veteran, Grady proudly served his state and country as a Sergeant in Company K, 3rd Battalion, 4th Regiment, US Marine Corps from June 1941 to May 1946. He was stationed at Cavite, Philippine Islands, and was captured as a prisoner of war during the surrender to the Japanese Imperial Army on Corregidor Island May 6, 1942.
As a special messenger to the major of Company K, Grady was ordered to notify Companies K and L of the proper procedure for throwing down arms and surrendering to the enemy. He is quoted as saying, "That was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life, especially knowing some of what was ahead of us."
Grady survived starvation, beri-beri, malaria, frostbite, cave-ins in the coal mines where they worked, and many other forms of cruel and unusual punishment at the hands of the Japanese.
During his four year POW interment, he was at Camp 1, Cabanatuan, Philippine Islands; Bilibid Prison - Nichols Field, Manila, Philippine Islands; Camp 17, Moji, Japan, and Omuta Camp 1, Fukuoka, Japan.
Back home, his family had been informed that he'd been KIA. That news nearly broke our family.
After returning to Mississippi, Grady began his thirty-five year tenure at the G V (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center in engineering services. He retired in May, 1981.
He was an active member of Midway Baptist Church for more than fifty years, where he served as a deacon and as a member of various church committees. He was also an active member of the Mississippi Chapter of Ex-Prisoners of War until his health began to decline in the late 1990s. He thoroughly enjoyed speaking at local schools about his POW experiences.
Grady was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Fennis G and Edgar Felton Holland; and sister, Lillian Ruth McAdams.
Survivors are his wife, Alice Luella Vanlandingham, of 60 years. He also is survived by two sons, six daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, sister, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws and their families.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of the ground-floor Nursing Home Care Unit, Dr Chere Peel and Dr Jo Harbour at the Jackson VAMC for the excellent care and compassion shown to Grady during his extended illness.
Grady is deeply loved and missed. ❤
Grady's younger brother, Kenneth, was a Korea and Vietnam veteran. Grady and Kenneth were very close all their lives.
"And When He Gets To Heaven,
To Saint Peter He Will Tell;
One More Marine Reporting Sir,
I've Served My Time In Hell"
Marine Grave inscription on Guadalcanal, 1942
Beloved Cousin
Grady told me that this was his favorite quote for he felt the same sentiments: "In prison, I fell in love with my country. I had loved her before then, but like most young people, my affection was little more than a simple appreciation for the comforts and privileges most Americans enjoyed and took for granted. It wasn't until I had lost America for a time that I realized how much I loved her." ~ John McCain, 'Faith of My Fathers: A Family Memoir'
Thomas Grady Holland, 86, went to be with his Heavenly Father January 18, 2007 while a resident at the G V (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center Nursing Home Care Unit.
Services were January 22 at Lakewood Funeral Home in Jackson with burial in Lakewood Memorial Park.
Grady was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His church, family and friends were very dear to him. He had a wonderful gift for gab and never met a stranger.
He believed in truth, honesty and integrity, and he lived by the Golden Rule. There was nothing he couldn't build or repair. He was Mr Fix It. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word to all.
He was born April 18, 1920 to the late Henry Grady and Eddie Mae Savage Holland in Earle, Arkansas. He attended school in Tallahatchie County.
As a World War II veteran, Grady proudly served his state and country as a Sergeant in Company K, 3rd Battalion, 4th Regiment, US Marine Corps from June 1941 to May 1946. He was stationed at Cavite, Philippine Islands, and was captured as a prisoner of war during the surrender to the Japanese Imperial Army on Corregidor Island May 6, 1942.
As a special messenger to the major of Company K, Grady was ordered to notify Companies K and L of the proper procedure for throwing down arms and surrendering to the enemy. He is quoted as saying, "That was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life, especially knowing some of what was ahead of us."
Grady survived starvation, beri-beri, malaria, frostbite, cave-ins in the coal mines where they worked, and many other forms of cruel and unusual punishment at the hands of the Japanese.
During his four year POW interment, he was at Camp 1, Cabanatuan, Philippine Islands; Bilibid Prison - Nichols Field, Manila, Philippine Islands; Camp 17, Moji, Japan, and Omuta Camp 1, Fukuoka, Japan.
Back home, his family had been informed that he'd been KIA. That news nearly broke our family.
After returning to Mississippi, Grady began his thirty-five year tenure at the G V (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center in engineering services. He retired in May, 1981.
He was an active member of Midway Baptist Church for more than fifty years, where he served as a deacon and as a member of various church committees. He was also an active member of the Mississippi Chapter of Ex-Prisoners of War until his health began to decline in the late 1990s. He thoroughly enjoyed speaking at local schools about his POW experiences.
Grady was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Fennis G and Edgar Felton Holland; and sister, Lillian Ruth McAdams.
Survivors are his wife, Alice Luella Vanlandingham, of 60 years. He also is survived by two sons, six daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, sister, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws and their families.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of the ground-floor Nursing Home Care Unit, Dr Chere Peel and Dr Jo Harbour at the Jackson VAMC for the excellent care and compassion shown to Grady during his extended illness.
Grady is deeply loved and missed. ❤
Grady's younger brother, Kenneth, was a Korea and Vietnam veteran. Grady and Kenneth were very close all their lives.
"And When He Gets To Heaven,
To Saint Peter He Will Tell;
One More Marine Reporting Sir,
I've Served My Time In Hell"
Marine Grave inscription on Guadalcanal, 1942
❤★☆★❤ World War II POW ❤★☆★❤
Beloved Cousin
Grady told me that this was his favorite quote for he felt the same sentiments: "In prison, I fell in love with my country. I had loved her before then, but like most young people, my affection was little more than a simple appreciation for the comforts and privileges most Americans enjoyed and took for granted. It wasn't until I had lost America for a time that I realized how much I loved her." ~ John McCain, 'Faith of My Fathers: A Family Memoir'
Thomas Grady Holland, 86, went to be with his Heavenly Father January 18, 2007 while a resident at the G V (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center Nursing Home Care Unit.
Services were January 22 at Lakewood Funeral Home in Jackson with burial in Lakewood Memorial Park.
Grady was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His church, family and friends were very dear to him. He had a wonderful gift for gab and never met a stranger.
He believed in truth, honesty and integrity, and he lived by the Golden Rule. There was nothing he couldn't build or repair. He was Mr Fix It. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word to all.
He was born April 18, 1920 to the late Henry Grady and Eddie Mae Savage Holland in Earle, Arkansas. He attended school in Tallahatchie County.
As a World War II veteran, Grady proudly served his state and country as a Sergeant in Company K, 3rd Battalion, 4th Regiment, US Marine Corps from June 1941 to May 1946. He was stationed at Cavite, Philippine Islands, and was captured as a prisoner of war during the surrender to the Japanese Imperial Army on Corregidor Island May 6, 1942.
As a special messenger to the major of Company K, Grady was ordered to notify Companies K and L of the proper procedure for throwing down arms and surrendering to the enemy. He is quoted as saying, "That was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life, especially knowing some of what was ahead of us."
Grady survived starvation, beri-beri, malaria, frostbite, cave-ins in the coal mines where they worked, and many other forms of cruel and unusual punishment at the hands of the Japanese.
During his four year POW interment, he was at Camp 1, Cabanatuan, Philippine Islands; Bilibid Prison - Nichols Field, Manila, Philippine Islands; Camp 17, Moji, Japan, and Omuta Camp 1, Fukuoka, Japan.
Back home, his family had been informed that he'd been KIA. That news nearly broke our family.
After returning to Mississippi, Grady began his thirty-five year tenure at the G V (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center in engineering services. He retired in May, 1981.
He was an active member of Midway Baptist Church for more than fifty years, where he served as a deacon and as a member of various church committees. He was also an active member of the Mississippi Chapter of Ex-Prisoners of War until his health began to decline in the late 1990s. He thoroughly enjoyed speaking at local schools about his POW experiences.
Grady was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Fennis G and Edgar Felton Holland; and sister, Lillian Ruth McAdams.
Survivors are his wife, Alice Luella Vanlandingham, of 60 years. He also is survived by two sons, six daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, sister, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws and their families.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of the ground-floor Nursing Home Care Unit, Dr Chere Peel and Dr Jo Harbour at the Jackson VAMC for the excellent care and compassion shown to Grady during his extended illness.
Grady is deeply loved and missed. ❤
Grady's younger brother, Kenneth, was a Korea and Vietnam veteran. Grady and Kenneth were very close all their lives.
"And When He Gets To Heaven,
To Saint Peter He Will Tell;
One More Marine Reporting Sir,
I've Served My Time In Hell"
Marine Grave inscription on Guadalcanal, 1942
Beloved Cousin
Grady told me that this was his favorite quote for he felt the same sentiments: "In prison, I fell in love with my country. I had loved her before then, but like most young people, my affection was little more than a simple appreciation for the comforts and privileges most Americans enjoyed and took for granted. It wasn't until I had lost America for a time that I realized how much I loved her." ~ John McCain, 'Faith of My Fathers: A Family Memoir'
Thomas Grady Holland, 86, went to be with his Heavenly Father January 18, 2007 while a resident at the G V (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center Nursing Home Care Unit.
Services were January 22 at Lakewood Funeral Home in Jackson with burial in Lakewood Memorial Park.
Grady was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His church, family and friends were very dear to him. He had a wonderful gift for gab and never met a stranger.
He believed in truth, honesty and integrity, and he lived by the Golden Rule. There was nothing he couldn't build or repair. He was Mr Fix It. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word to all.
He was born April 18, 1920 to the late Henry Grady and Eddie Mae Savage Holland in Earle, Arkansas. He attended school in Tallahatchie County.
As a World War II veteran, Grady proudly served his state and country as a Sergeant in Company K, 3rd Battalion, 4th Regiment, US Marine Corps from June 1941 to May 1946. He was stationed at Cavite, Philippine Islands, and was captured as a prisoner of war during the surrender to the Japanese Imperial Army on Corregidor Island May 6, 1942.
As a special messenger to the major of Company K, Grady was ordered to notify Companies K and L of the proper procedure for throwing down arms and surrendering to the enemy. He is quoted as saying, "That was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life, especially knowing some of what was ahead of us."
Grady survived starvation, beri-beri, malaria, frostbite, cave-ins in the coal mines where they worked, and many other forms of cruel and unusual punishment at the hands of the Japanese.
During his four year POW interment, he was at Camp 1, Cabanatuan, Philippine Islands; Bilibid Prison - Nichols Field, Manila, Philippine Islands; Camp 17, Moji, Japan, and Omuta Camp 1, Fukuoka, Japan.
Back home, his family had been informed that he'd been KIA. That news nearly broke our family.
After returning to Mississippi, Grady began his thirty-five year tenure at the G V (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center in engineering services. He retired in May, 1981.
He was an active member of Midway Baptist Church for more than fifty years, where he served as a deacon and as a member of various church committees. He was also an active member of the Mississippi Chapter of Ex-Prisoners of War until his health began to decline in the late 1990s. He thoroughly enjoyed speaking at local schools about his POW experiences.
Grady was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Fennis G and Edgar Felton Holland; and sister, Lillian Ruth McAdams.
Survivors are his wife, Alice Luella Vanlandingham, of 60 years. He also is survived by two sons, six daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, sister, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws and their families.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of the ground-floor Nursing Home Care Unit, Dr Chere Peel and Dr Jo Harbour at the Jackson VAMC for the excellent care and compassion shown to Grady during his extended illness.
Grady is deeply loved and missed. ❤
Grady's younger brother, Kenneth, was a Korea and Vietnam veteran. Grady and Kenneth were very close all their lives.
"And When He Gets To Heaven,
To Saint Peter He Will Tell;
One More Marine Reporting Sir,
I've Served My Time In Hell"
Marine Grave inscription on Guadalcanal, 1942
Inscription
THOMAS G HOLLAND
SGT US MARINE CORPS
WORLD WAR II
APR 18, 1920 JAN 18, 2007
