Sgt. John Holmes' name added to Bradenton's Vietnam War monument on Veterans Day

BRADENTON -- Family members and classmates wept Wednesday as Marine Sgt. John R. Holmes' name was unveiled on Bradenton's Vietnam War Honor Roll.

The unveiling came 47 years after he was wounded during a Viet Cong attack in Quang Tri. He died in 2001 after 33 years in a coma caused by his war wounds.

Even after so many years, the emotion was raw for those who knew and loved him.

"I am very, very proud of him," family patriarch Hugh Holmes said. "The last time I saw him, he was getting on a plane on the little airstrip on Anna Maria Island to report for duty. He looked very good in his uniform. He was a wonderful boy, a wonderful man."

Family friend Christine Torgeson van Zandt had written a letter pointing out the omission of Sgt. Holmes' name on the monument, setting in motion action to have it engraved. She attended Wednesday's ceremony at Veterans Park.

"There were so many nights I cried thinking about Johnny being in Vietnam, and in a coma for so many years. We all loved Johnny. The island was a real small place back then," van Zandt said.

After seeing Sgt. Holmes' name finally added to the list of Bradenton men who lost their lives in the Vietnam War, van Zandt said her heart was full.

Pride and grief were written across the faces of Sgt. Holmes' brothers, Jim and Jack, and his sister Patricia at the ceremony.

"He finally got the recognition that was due him," Jack Holmes said. "Hopefully we can get his name added to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C."

County Commissioner Carol Whitmore, to whom van Zandt wrote her letter, attended the ceremony, and learned from Gary Tibbets, legislative aide to Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, that work is already underway to have Sgt. Holmes' named added to the Vietnam Wall.

Patricia Holmes, voicing her pride in her brother's service, called him the kindest person she ever knew.

Also attending the service was Kathleen Sheridan, Sgt. Holmes' first girlfriend.

While still a student at Manatee Junior College, now State College of Florida, John came to her house for the first time sporting his surfer hair.

"My dad took one look at him and didn't want me dating him," Sheridan recalled.

But a conversation her father had with Coach John Heath changed his mind.

Heath told her father that John was carrying more than a full load at college, and was a straight A student.

"If I could have all my students like Johnny Holmes I would," Heath told her father.

"After that, Johnny was always welcome at our house," Sheridan said.

Don Courtney, president of the Manatee County Veterans Council, unveiled the 31st name to be added to the Vietnam War monument.

Courtney read "The Soldier's Creed" -- slightly altered to recognize Sgt. Holmes' service with the Marines:

"I'm an American soldier, I am a warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States, and live the Marine Corps values. I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade. I am disciplined, mentally and physically tough. Trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself. I am an expert and a professional. I stand ready to deploy, engage and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat. I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life. I am an American soldier."

James A. Jones Jr., Herald reporter, can be contacted at 941-745-7053 or on Twitter@jajones1.

This story was originally published November 11, 2015 at 4:15 PM with the headline "Sgt. John Holmes' name added to Bradenton's Vietnam War monument on Veterans Day ."