Joshua Robert Holden

I had the strangest experience this morning, I opened the browser on my phone to look something up and in among other links was one to the article posted in the Tucson Citizen. https://tucson.com/news/local/leukemia-fells-hard-charging-tucson-marine/article_6970a4e3-9969-57f9-abde-cc72f4a4f090.html

I read the article, I am so proud to call myself Joshua's dad, he was a unique individual who let nothing get in his way. It's hard to believe this October it will be 12 years since he...

No way it has been that long... 41 years loved and in our hearts, yet 29 forever. I love that our family, including my children that barely knew him, speak of him often. He is forever in our hearts! My kids remind me every time they see a yellow butterfly! Happy Birthday Joshua! You are loved and remembered!

When I first met him it was "corpral Holden". I met him in early January, the week we were to deploy for Iraqi Freedom. After 8 months/24 hours a day in the Sec platoon at Camp Viper I saw what an exceptional Marine he was. Myself, and Rob Black were better people for knowing him. Stand fast and guard the gates of heaven brother, you've earned your place.
Semper Fi,
C.W. Schmidt-Sgt USMC

I miss Josh. He was one of a kind. A role model for sure. Such a nice person. Always fun to dance with!

Today is Sept 11, 2011. I thought of you as soon as I woke up this morning. It is because of this day that I remember you. I was one of the funeral directors at the mortuary that handled your arrangements. You and your family have stayed in my thoughts and prayers ever since. I sat with your mom at Eric Hite's funeral, right by your gravesite. I plan to go there today with my fiance. He is also a former marine who is serving in the Army National Guard. I hope wherever you are now is a...

I was looking for some of the old gang from the Corps via a social network online. Linked up with folks and learned about your passing. You and I were roommates in for a long time when we served together with Lima 3/7. I'll never forget the stupid stuff we would do to pass the time and make work seem fun. My only regret in life after 34 years is that I lost contact with you, I didn't know you were ill, and I never made it to see you before you died nor did I attend your funeral. For those...

Joshua, I think about you most days and my heart aches, I miss you so very much. I know that you would want me to keep my life going and enjoy it, I will work on moving in that direction. I love you Joshua always ....
Love, Mom

Nostalgia hit me recently and I was searching for others from our OIF 3-4 deployment. I ran across SSG Holden's entry on the web. I was in his platoon before they broke our platoon up and was briefly his roommate in Iraq.

When I first met him I thought he was too hardcore. I later discovered his eye for detail and support of the troops was unfaltering and well experienced. While his humor could be rather dry and at first hard to recognize, I cannot count the times he latter made me...

Its hard to believe that it has been almost 2 years now. God bless you Josh