The family of Matthew Holley has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to be present to honor their hero for his service to his country. It will be our privilege to do so.
Sadly, Matthew died in service to our nation on November 15, 2005, of injuries sustained when a roadside bomb detonated near his Humvee during combat operations in Taji, Iraq, north of Baghdad.
Specialist Holley was assigned to the Army’s 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He was in Iraq about six weeks prior to his death.
When Matthew was flown back to San Diego, Ft. Rosecrans could no longer accommodate casket burials and Miramar National Cemetery was not quite ready to start burials. Matthew was placed at Glenn Abby without the ability for his parents to be laid rest (eventually) with him. With a lot of paperwork and time, Miramar agreed to make room for Holley to be buried there at a “National Cemetery” and would keep two places secured for his parents when the time comes (Both of his parents are veterans as well).
Matthew leaves a legacy ensuring all service members after him who were killed in service will be brought home with honor, dignity and respect. Congress passed a law thanks to then Congressman Duncan Hunter, Senator Barbara Boxer, and Matthew's parents John & Stacey Holley. It's called the Holley Act.
In choosing to serve our nation Matthew followed in the footsteps of a long list of family members who served, including both of his parents. Matthew decided to be a Combat Medic because he wanted to help others, and to serve a cause greater than himself.
Matthew followed in his father’s footsteps by completing the Army’s Air Assault School to become a “Screaming Eagle.” After completing his training, he called home and told his dad, ‘Now I can put my Jump Wings with yours, Dad".
To read more about the Holley Act, please go to the following link:
https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna17985128?fbclid=IwY2xjawKS8U1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFYWllOUGJrNHBGWkpqWWdTAR62m0kbqS9lUXCGlFLAr0TlzU1W6REwtoByKPFOKVl34Uyh7pGoqS-a8-85QQ_aem_2WzU6KgbKoen8VCugHcFuQ NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this military veteran. For those interested, all PGR members are welcome. We will escort the family from the Glenn Abby Cemetery, Bonita, CA to Miramar National Cemetery, approx.20 miles. Please see the timetable if you would like to participate.
Timetable for Thursday May 22nd, 2025 1115 - Stage at Glenn Abby Cemetery (side parking lot just below the admin building) 3838 Bonita Rd, Bonita, CA 91902
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XgX1H1jsRv1rpFXCA 1130 - Mission Briefing
1200 - Flag line for the disinterment of our hero and transfer to Herse
1230 - KSU for Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Dr, San Diego, CA 92122
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RXfvutCFXmYPDPJK6 1300 - (Est) Arrive at Miramar National Cemetery
1330 - Flag Line of Honor, Funeral Service with Military Honors Miramar National Cemetery
R/C Stacey McCarthy “Lil Bit”
SoCal PGR Regional Captain(619) 277-5176
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this is your first mission, go to the initial staging area, and you will be briefed by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or wear casual attire while driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely. Remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent with honor and respect for our Heroes—no talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we honor.
