|
Eric M. Holke, 31
Army National Guard, Specialist
Based:
Fullerton
Supporting:
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Died:
July 15, 2007
Tallil,
Iraq
Gender:
Male
Hometown:
Crestline
High School:
Rim of the World Senior High (Lake Arrowhead)
Burial:
Riverside National Cemetery
|
As soon as we got engaged, Steven said, 'I want to call you Dad.' Eric loved my son and my son loved him back.
— Cassidhe Holke, widow
Holke reenlisted with the California Army National Guard late in 2006, even though his first two tours -- in Afghanistan and Iraq -- had left him so traumatized that he moaned with nightmares. He told his wife and stepson it was a path to home ownership and a better life.
- About this project
- Sources: Times research and iCasualties.org data.
- Help us complete our database. Something missing or wrong? Want to share a photo?
Save more than
4 memories of Eric
I knew of Eric through the A/V Department at Rim High. He was a wonderful person. He will always be missed. The last time I saw him was when I was working in a class for the Riverside County Office of Education. He was wonderful with the kids. He will Rest In Peace forever. I also want to encourage everyone to continue to pray for all those still over there in Iraq.
Eric was one of my very best friends. To those that knew him best he was "Gunter". There were few men in the world with a bigger heart or a stronger loyalty for his friends. We miss you Gunnitar.
Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice so that the people in America can continue living free. There are alot of people in this country that have no clue, respect or honor for those like you that paid the ultimate price to live the way that we do in America. Living free is not free, it comes at a very high price. You payed that price for the Country you loved. Although I never knew you Eric, I thank you and honor you. God Bless you, Ronald Weber
PS. Parent of a US Marine
I met Holke for the first time in Camp Shelby, MS in March 2007 when we were first mobilizing to go to Iraq. He was always around people and was a good leader by taking care of the people around him. He didn't complain, he just got his mission, and got it done. He was a dependable guy, and was someone you could confide in. When I got the radio traffic of what had occured on the road in Tallil, my heart sank. We felt that loss instantly, since it was our first day of operations in Iraq and our first fatality. It was an instant "wake up" call for all of us . I keep his picture near me at work to remind myself of who i'm REALLY working for, my fellow soldiers and brothers in arms.
Share a memory of Eric