Eugene Holland's grave is marked by a simple, white marble headstone, facing west to catch the warm afternoon sun. One corner is chipped, but even after 77 years it stands straight and true with its comrades in a "Silent Camp," the final resting place for many of the three million men and women who have risked—and often lost— their lives in defense of our freedoms over the past 260 years.
Sadly, the monument bears only brief tribute to the soldier who rests beneath it: his name, home state, military rank and unit, and date of death. Most visitors to the grave will never know much more about the man buried there—who he really was, his hopes and dreams, or if his life touched theirs in some way. We are fortunate to know more about him, and it is a story worth sharing:
Private First Class Eugene E. Holland—Gene to his family and friends—was born February 11, 1895 in Oxford (north of Preston), Idaho to John Cain Holland and Sarah Jane Stewart. He lived in Bay Horse (southwest of Challis), Idaho, where his father worked as a miner, until both of his parents died in 1903. Gene moved to Pocatello, Idaho to stay with relatives until he was old enough to work on his older brother Robert's ranch in Clyde, Idaho as a "cowboy," the occupation he claimed when he joined the U.S. Army in 1916.He trained cavalry horses until a wild horse kicked him in the head. That injury would eventually take his life.
Gene met and married Emma Dean Otteson from Fountain Green, Utah in 1918. They had two children, Raymond Eugene and Delma Marie, before moving to Boise, Idaho, where Gene was in and out of the Idaho State Veterans' Home until his death in 1936. He was just 41 years old.
His example, as both a soldier and a father, inspired his son, his daughter, and several grandchildren to serve a combined total of more than 70 years in four branches of the military, to raise families, and—most importantly—to become responsible, loving parents and productive citizens. That is his true legacy.
Sadly, the monument bears only brief tribute to the soldier who rests beneath it: his name, home state, military rank and unit, and date of death. Most visitors to the grave will never know much more about the man buried there—who he really was, his hopes and dreams, or if his life touched theirs in some way. We are fortunate to know more about him, and it is a story worth sharing:
Private First Class Eugene E. Holland—Gene to his family and friends—was born February 11, 1895 in Oxford (north of Preston), Idaho to John Cain Holland and Sarah Jane Stewart. He lived in Bay Horse (southwest of Challis), Idaho, where his father worked as a miner, until both of his parents died in 1903. Gene moved to Pocatello, Idaho to stay with relatives until he was old enough to work on his older brother Robert's ranch in Clyde, Idaho as a "cowboy," the occupation he claimed when he joined the U.S. Army in 1916.He trained cavalry horses until a wild horse kicked him in the head. That injury would eventually take his life.
Gene met and married Emma Dean Otteson from Fountain Green, Utah in 1918. They had two children, Raymond Eugene and Delma Marie, before moving to Boise, Idaho, where Gene was in and out of the Idaho State Veterans' Home until his death in 1936. He was just 41 years old.
His example, as both a soldier and a father, inspired his son, his daughter, and several grandchildren to serve a combined total of more than 70 years in four branches of the military, to raise families, and—most importantly—to become responsible, loving parents and productive citizens. That is his true legacy.
Eugene Holland's grave is marked by a simple, white marble headstone, facing west to catch the warm afternoon sun. One corner is chipped, but even after 77 years it stands straight and true with its comrades in a "Silent Camp," the final resting place for many of the three million men and women who have risked—and often lost— their lives in defense of our freedoms over the past 260 years.
Sadly, the monument bears only brief tribute to the soldier who rests beneath it: his name, home state, military rank and unit, and date of death. Most visitors to the grave will never know much more about the man buried there—who he really was, his hopes and dreams, or if his life touched theirs in some way. We are fortunate to know more about him, and it is a story worth sharing:
Private First Class Eugene E. Holland—Gene to his family and friends—was born February 11, 1895 in Oxford (north of Preston), Idaho to John Cain Holland and Sarah Jane Stewart. He lived in Bay Horse (southwest of Challis), Idaho, where his father worked as a miner, until both of his parents died in 1903. Gene moved to Pocatello, Idaho to stay with relatives until he was old enough to work on his older brother Robert's ranch in Clyde, Idaho as a "cowboy," the occupation he claimed when he joined the U.S. Army in 1916.He trained cavalry horses until a wild horse kicked him in the head. That injury would eventually take his life.
Gene met and married Emma Dean Otteson from Fountain Green, Utah in 1918. They had two children, Raymond Eugene and Delma Marie, before moving to Boise, Idaho, where Gene was in and out of the Idaho State Veterans' Home until his death in 1936. He was just 41 years old.
His example, as both a soldier and a father, inspired his son, his daughter, and several grandchildren to serve a combined total of more than 70 years in four branches of the military, to raise families, and—most importantly—to become responsible, loving parents and productive citizens. That is his true legacy.
Sadly, the monument bears only brief tribute to the soldier who rests beneath it: his name, home state, military rank and unit, and date of death. Most visitors to the grave will never know much more about the man buried there—who he really was, his hopes and dreams, or if his life touched theirs in some way. We are fortunate to know more about him, and it is a story worth sharing:
Private First Class Eugene E. Holland—Gene to his family and friends—was born February 11, 1895 in Oxford (north of Preston), Idaho to John Cain Holland and Sarah Jane Stewart. He lived in Bay Horse (southwest of Challis), Idaho, where his father worked as a miner, until both of his parents died in 1903. Gene moved to Pocatello, Idaho to stay with relatives until he was old enough to work on his older brother Robert's ranch in Clyde, Idaho as a "cowboy," the occupation he claimed when he joined the U.S. Army in 1916.He trained cavalry horses until a wild horse kicked him in the head. That injury would eventually take his life.
Gene met and married Emma Dean Otteson from Fountain Green, Utah in 1918. They had two children, Raymond Eugene and Delma Marie, before moving to Boise, Idaho, where Gene was in and out of the Idaho State Veterans' Home until his death in 1936. He was just 41 years old.
His example, as both a soldier and a father, inspired his son, his daughter, and several grandchildren to serve a combined total of more than 70 years in four branches of the military, to raise families, and—most importantly—to become responsible, loving parents and productive citizens. That is his true legacy.
Gravesite Details
Thanks to contributor 47762211 for additional information.
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