Tribute paid to soldier
CRANBERRY TWP — Mourners entering and exiting the Devlin Funeral Home on Saturday were reminded of Army Staff Sgt. Eric S. Holman's devotion to his country as a dozen veterans from two motorcycle clubs formed a silent flag line at the door.
Holman, 39, of Evans City was killed in action Aug. 15 in Afghanistan when the bomb he was working to diffuse was detonated. He served with the 767th Explosive Ordnance Disposition Battalion from Fort Bragg, N.C.
Attendance at the Sunday afternoon viewing was huge, with mourners waiting in line for up to an hour to offer their condolences to the Holman family. Funeral home officials said they were able to position the line of people throughout the funeral home so they did not have to wait outside.
Barry Bioni, Pennsylvania State Captain of the Patriot Guard Riders, said on Saturday that about 15 riders from his group and the U.S. Military Veterans Motorcycle Club were asked by the Holman family to provide the flag line at the viewings.
“Our main goal is to give honor, respect and dignity to the soldier and the family as well,” said Bioni, who served in the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam from 1966 to 1969. “It's an honor, and it's humbling. My condolences go to his family, and especially his son.”
Holman, who joined the military in response to the events of Sept. 11, 2001, left behind a wife and 7-year-old son.
Sally Kretzler Houser of Economy Borough, Beaver County, called the proceedings “beautiful.”
“He's where he should be,” Kretzler Houser said. “He's home.”
She said her husband and Holman's father were good friends, and everyone who knew Eric Holman was aware of his tenacious drive to defend his country.
“He did what he loved to do, and God took him home,” said Kretzler Houser. “Unfortunately, he left a wife and child.”
Pat Wagner of Mars, whose boss is Holman's father, said the elder Holman was so proud of his son's military service and the courage he demonstrated as a squad member on the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, and then with the 767th Explosive Ordnance Disposition Battalion.“He decided to go into Afghanistan, especially with his training,” Wagner said.She said everyone at the viewing inside showed remarkable strength in an effort to hold up Holman's family during their period of grief.“And the military is doing an outstanding job of protecting his family,” Wagner said.Two of those Wagner referred to were Master Sgts. Paul P. Freidhof and James Valente of the 316th ESC, U.S. Army Reserves, in Coraopolis.Clad in their crisp dress uniforms and berets, the casualty assistance officers attended the viewing to support the Holman family and to serve as a liaison between the Holmans and the military.Freidhof said the family is holding up well, in part because they were able to speak to members of Holman's unit after the tragedy.“They have been able to get some closure that way,” Freidhof said.Valente said serving as a casualty assistance officer is one of the hardest, yet most honorable jobs in the military.“It's an awesome honor to do it,” Freidhof added. “If you've been deployed, you want to help the families of the fallen.”Holman's funeral with full military burial was to be at 2 p.m. today at the Mount Nebo Presbyterian Church in Sewickley.The U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team will perform a memorial service in October at the Grove City Airport, though no date has been set.
