Our walk today was dedicated in honor of:
🇺🇸 WALKING WITH FALLEN HEROES — ARMY SGT. DAVID WILLIAM HOLMES 🇺🇸
December 3, 1947 – July 19, 1966
Age 18 | Crossville, Tennessee
It was an honor to walk 6.40 miles today alongside this American hero.
Today, we walked in memory of Army Sergeant David William Holmes, an 18-year-old young man from Crossville, Tennessee, who gave his life serving our country during the Vietnam War.
David served with A Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.
On July 19, 1966, while serving in South Vietnam, David was among 24 American servicemen killed during a fierce battle in the Boi Loi Woods. His unit was conducting operations when it was ambushed by a large Viet Cong force.
Just 18 years old. A young man who had his whole life ahead of him, but who never came home.
For his service and sacrifice, David was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, along with other service and campaign medals.
His name is forever engraved on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., at Panel 09E, Line 039. He was laid to rest at Mount Hope Cemetery in Tennessee.
TODAY’S WALK
Our walk today took us through Garrison Park, where the Flags of Honor were on display.
This is something we do every year, and it is always a special part of our journey.
There were approximately 700 flags on display, each representing a veteran. We stopped at every flag, saluted, and whenever a veteran’s name was displayed, we took the time to read that name, salute, and thank them for their service.
We made our way from row to row, honoring these men and women. As we got closer to the end, we were running short on time, so I had to pick up the pace a little. There were a lot of flags to honor, and it took some time to give each one the respect it deserved.
After leaving Garrison Park, we continued our walk to West Avenue and then made our way back home.
Along the way, we received 98 HONKS!
I want to thank everyone who honked, waved, and saluted as we made our way through town. Every honk and every gesture means something. You helped us make sure this hero’s sacrifice was not forgotten.
A special thank-you to Fallen Hero SPC Jonathan Bryant for joining us and helping honor David today. Your support means a great deal.
David William Holmes was just 18 years old when he made the ultimate sacrifice. His life was cut far too short, but his name, his service, and his sacrifice will live on.
Today, we walked 6.40 miles for him. We stopped to honor 700 flags. We received 98 honks. And we made another promise to a fallen hero.
Army SGT. David William Holmes, you are not forgotten.
🇺🇸 WE WALK BECAUSE THEY CANNOT.
❤️🤍💙 LET US NEVER FORGET!
#iwalk4them #WalkingWithFallenHeroes #DavidWilliamHolmes #VietnamVeteran #FallenButNotForgotten #HonorAndRemember #Veterans #NeverForgotten
